Heartbeat GJ
Heartbeat GJ
Survivors After Suicide Loss
Survivors After Suicide Loss
Heartbeat was organized to help survivors absorb the impact of the self-inflicted death, to offer comfort of empathy, understanding and to support each other toward a healthy resolution to the grief.
Please contact us via email at gjheartbeat@gmail.com if you have any issues using this site. We appreciate your patience.
No matter where you are in your grief journey, you are among those who listen with compassion and understanding.
Heartbeat functions because of private donations. We are all volunteer peer support suicide loss survivors.
Regular Heartbeat Meetings: Every 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Held at First Congregational Church, 1425 N. 5th St. in Grand Junction, (across from Grand Junction High School) Use the entrance on the back of the building off the south parking lot of the church. Heartbeat is a non-religious all inclusive organization.
Informal Coffee meetings: Every 2nd Saturday of each month, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Come and be with other loss survivors in this informal coffee gathering at 4 Winds Coffee (corner of Bookcliff Ave. and 12th St. in Grand Junction) You're not required to stay the whole time, come for whatever length of time during this time frame. A chance to socialize without having to 'put on a happy face'.
October Meeting topic - Auricular Acupuncture for Grief and Stress - The Western Colorado Area Health and Education Center will be our guest presenter on the benefits of this therapeutic technique. Attendees will have a choice to try it at no charge. After 911 happened, acupuncturists treated survivors and the emergency services personnel and found it to be very helpful for PTSD, stress, and grief by providing better sleep and less anxiety. The technique has also been found useful in addiction recovery. The acupuncture is done on the outer part of the ears and does not cause any pain. Come give it a try. No pressure to try it. You can just listen to the presentation. We had this technique presented about 10 years ago at one of our meetings and everyone there wanted it and later could attest to the benefits.
November 2026 Meeting - No Regular Meeting due to the close proximity of The Coffee and Day of Remembrance. Our Steering Committee is shrinking and we just can't do it all.
SAVE THE DATE: November 21st - Day of Remembrance - Join us for a truly memorable event to honor our loved ones. With over 15 organizations providing activities, food, music, a short memorial service and floating lanterns, this event is free for all suicide loss survivors. Please register so we know how many lanterns and materials to provide by emailing Heartbeat at gjheartbeat@gmail.com.
When: Saturday, November 21st, from 3-6 p.m.
Where: Martin Mortuary, 550 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO.
Sponsored By: Heartbeat of Grand Junction, Hope West, Health Solutions West, Western Colorado Area Health and Education Center, MC Suicide Prevention Coalition, MCPH, Grand Valley Connects, Peer 180, Veterans Administration of W. Colorado, Memorial Gardens Cemetary, Redlands Unite Methodist Church, Colorado Mesa University Psychology Club, Bravestone Project, Colorado West Pride, MC Public Libraries, Colorado State University AgrAbility, MC Coroners Office and The Counseling and Education Center.
December 2026 Meeting topic - Tannenbaum Pine Cones – Fir trees are a steady evergreen throughout the year reminding us of hope and love that continues on even after our loved one’s death. What traditions have you done in the past? What might change or stay the same? Come enjoy an activity of hope! We will make Pine Cone trees in memory of our loved one. No art experience necessary. All materials provided.
January 2027 Meeting Topic - Cocoa, Candles and Conversation – A cozy start to the New Year 2027! With Winter may come a time when we would rather stay indoors and cozy up with whatever comforts us. Beating the January Blues. What have you found to comfort you?
February 16 Topic: Healing Touch – Simple massage for self-nurturing in this month of ‘Love’. Kendra Kleidon-Via will demonstrate different massage techniques and talk about the benefits of massage to reduce stress and increase relaxation. Then we’ll each be the giver and reciever of hand or neck and shoulders massages. You won’t want to miss this chance to learn some simple massage for self-care. Giving and receiving are both gifts!
Our meetings offer an opportunity to share and learn ways of coping with grief and stress through discussion and activities. We do not require anyone to have to talk. Just listening can be enlightening. We are always open to suggestions for topics or activities. We do not walk alone.
If you have suggestions on topics or submissions for our newsletter, please contact us at gjheartbeat@gmail.com.
Would you like to get involved in Heartbeat volunteering or be on our Steering Committee? We are looking for a Newlsetter Editor as well. Let us know at gjheartbeat@gmail.com
Something new: DUDE TALK DINNERS - Men only! Want someone to talk to about life's challenges? Come to DUDE TALK DINNERS. You don't have to be a loss survivor to attend these. They happen on the first Tuesdays of each month, from 6-8 p.m. at Camp Eddy, just east of Las Colonias Park Foot Bridge. 357 Eddy Drive, Grand Junction, CO. Free dinner and non-alcholic beverages provided by Enzo's Pizza. SPONSORED BY: The MC Suicide Prevention Coalition, Camp Eddy, Enzo's Pizza, and Grand Mesa Counseling.
There is another men's only group starting at Roots Gastrohub, 401 Colorado Ave., Grand Junction, on Sunday mornings. More details to come.
If you or someone you know is in need of support,and you’d like to talk to a peer, warmline.org contains links to warmlines in every state. For peer support in Colorado call 1-844-493-(TALK) and press *, or text “TALK” to 38255. The national suicide hotline number is 1-800-273-TALK, with a chat option, or text ‘HOME’ TO 741741. National Hotline 988. You do not have to be in crisis or suicidal to use the 988 hotline. Just need someone to talk to? Dial 988.
NOTE: Many crisis related resources could utilize restrictive interventions, like active rescues (wellness or welfare checks) involving law enforcement or emergency services. A warmline is least likely to do this, but may still have such policies. You can ask if this is a possibility at any point in your conversation if this is a concern for you.
LOCAL IN-PERSON SUPPORT FOR LOSS SURVIVORS
GriefShare - GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Christian centered program. griefshare.org
HopeWest Kids - Grades K-12: Grief support, classes, and camps for children and teens. hopewestco.org/hopewest-kids
The Compassionate Friends - Mesa - Child, grandchild, and sibling loss support group. The Compassionate Friends are welcoming to suicide loss survivors. Through The Compassionate Friend’s website, there are more print, virtual, and social media support options.compassionatefriends.org
The Heartlight Center - Call 720-748-9908, for more information on new groups or opportunities on grief support. This group is now based in Denver. They offer on-line support groups and information on other grief support.
FORUMS, PHONE, PRINT, & VIRTUAL
Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors - Offering loss survivor resources and an 24/7 online discussion forum where you can connect with others who’ve lost a loved one to suicide. Allianceofhope.org
Colorado Grief Care - Downloadable pamphlets for people bereaved by suicide in Mesa County. coloradogriefcare.org
Friends for Survival - Monthly newsletter, virtual suicide loss support group meetings, and printed resources. Friendsforsurvival.org
Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing - for those who have lost someone to substance use or addiction. Print, virtual, and social media support resources. Grasphelp.org
iCare Packages - iCare packages contain resources to help support an individual or family with the loss of a loved one to suicide. Suicidepreventioncolorado.org/icare-packages
The Dougy Center - Online print and virtual resources for children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. Dougy.org
Veterans Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Offering compassionate support to those who lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces. Mesa County does not have an active TAPS chapter, though the Grand Junction VA Medical Center does have several peer and clinical providers trained in suicide loss support. Taps.org
ManTherapy - Designed for helping men with grief, loss, stress, feelings, and general issues, in a way that appeals to men. Hosted by Richard Mahogany, Mantherapy.org.
If you are struggling to find resources for any needs go to https://www.mesacounty.us>Grandvalleyconnects.com. Don't let a lack of resources to help you in life's situations become a crisis. There are solutions! They will help you find and connect to resources that can help.