Loss Survivor Resources
I’ve Lost Someone – A compilation of various AFSP resources and information for suicide loss survivors.
Survivors of Suicide – A website to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide resolve their grief and pain in their own personal way.
Chester County Suicide Loss Survivor Grief Support Group– The Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force has created a support group for those who have lost someone to suicide in an effort to help them find connections, strength and hope. This group is facilitated by trained volunteers who have experienced their own losses to suicide and not intended to be mental health treatment.
School Resources
After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools – The Second Edition was written in 2018 by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Suicide Prevention
Resource Center, and the Education Development Center.
Veteran Resources
The Coatesville VA works with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help veterans and their families during times of crisis. They offer suicide prevention care coordinators, suicide prevention case managers and gun safety locks. Connect with a care coordinator today.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Devereux offers a 12-week, closed process group focused on exploring, processing, and providing psychoeducation to members of the LGBTQIA community, age 14 and older. Call 610-933-8110 or email PADCSFrontDesk@devereux.org.
Mental Health America has a wealth of LGBTQ+ resources.
Pride Squad is a group is open to anyone ages 12 -17 (individuals who are younger than 14 must have parental permission to attend) who identifies as LGBTQIA+, is questioning, or is an individual who would like to learn more about how to be an ally. The group is educational and therapeutic in content and is led by a Master’s level therapist who is Safe Zone trained and a World Professional Association of Transgender Health member provider. Pride Squad-Meets Weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm; $10 per group session.
Talking about Suicide and LGBT Populations Guide – Created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), this guide provides facts about suicide and LGBT people, as well as ways to talk about suicide safely and accurately—and in ways that advance vital public discussions about preventing suicide among LGBT people and supporting their health and well-being.
The LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County fosters inclusivity, well being, and social justice for the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy and provision of safe, supportive spaces. The organization, located in Phoenixville, holds multiple meetings each month, including an adult group that meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, a book club that meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month and youth meetings every 3rd Tuesday.
The Trevor Project focuses on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The website provides free, confidential crisis counseling 24/7 with trained counselors, as well as resources.
The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia creates opportunities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community and to promote the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society.
South Eastern PA Trans-Parents Support Group meets the third Tuesday each month to provide a safe space for parents to share their stories, ask questions and support one another with their child’s transition. If you would like to find out more or join the group, contact Julie Moyer at GJML1@comcast.net.
National Organizations
American Association of Suicidology
AAS promotes research, public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers and serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
AFSP is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education and outreach to individuals with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.
National Suicide Prevention Resource Center
SPRC provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Local Organizations
A Haven
A Haven offers various grief support groups and grief resources for families with children, teens, and young adults (ages 3-25) who have experienced the death of someone they know. All our support groups are offered at no cost to our families. A Haven is located in Exton, Pennsylvania.
Brooke Glenn Behavioral Hospital
Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital is an acute psychiatric hospital in Fort Washington. Brook Glen’s mental health facility provides a richly therapeutic and comfortable environment for teens and adults seeking mental health treatment.
ChescoLife
Led by experienced parents and professionals, the Chesco LIFE Program provides family-to-family peer support. Program staff support caregivers in navigating the mental health system and other children serving systems.
Chester County ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Coalition
The Chester County ACEs Coalition is a collective impact initiative to bring awareness, knowledge, prevention, and initiatives throughout the county on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, and toxic-stress. Building resiliency and fostering hope can offset the cycle of trauma as well as contribute to long-term health benefits, bringing strength to our communities.
Chester County Coroner’s Office
The Chester County Coroner’s Office is an independent agency serving the citizens and honoring the deceased of the county by investigating the facts and circumstances concerning jurisdictional deaths which have occurred within Chester County. We determine the cause and manner of death, the identity of the decedent, and provide notification to the legal next of kin, while exhibiting the highest degree of compassion, professionalism, and integrity.
Chester County Department of Aging
The mission of the Chester County Department of Aging Services is to provide home and community based protection, advocacy, and information and assistance services to people aged 60 and over and their families so they can have choices about how they want to live with dignity and respect, lead independent and active lives, and be free from abuse and neglect.
Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families
Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families was established by the Board of County Commissioners as the child welfare agency which provides comprehensive services to abused, neglected and dependent children and youth to age 18, and their families. Services are provided without regard to: race, color, religious creed, ancestry, handicap, age or national origin.
Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities administers publicly funded services in the areas of Mental Health, MHIDD, and Early Intervention. Guided by compassion, respect, and a commitment to consumer choice, we are dedicated to providing services and supports which help people lead quality lives.
Chester County Health Department
It is the Mission of the Chester County Health Department: to foster, protect and preserve the public health and environment of the County of Chester and its residents.
Chester County Hospital
Chester County Hospital provides quality medical and nursing services without discrimination based upon age, sex, race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, ancestry, natural origin, marital status,, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, culture, language, socioeconomic status, domestic abuse or sexual violence victim status, source of income or source of payment.
Chester County Intermediate Unit
The Chester County Intermediate Unit provides services to the 12 school districts in Chester County. This includes services to nearly 86,000 public and non-public school students and over 6,000 educators. CCIU’s major services include: special education and compensatory education programs; career, technical and customized education; mentor training and staff development; technology initiatives; consortia for school business operations; and curriculum services.
Chester County NAMI
Chester County NAMI families and members offer understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and the treatment of mental illness through support groups, education & awareness and community events.
Chester County Medical Society
The Medical Society is involved in all aspects of healthcare policy, practice, and education and serves to advance the health of the community and to protect and expand the healthcare resources available to its citizens.
Chester County Teen Talk Line
Teens are encouraged to call or text when they are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, sad, isolated, or confused. Certified Peer Specialist, and eventually teen volunteers, will respond to the calls or texts. Services are available Monday – Friday, 3:00 – 7:00PM.
Chester County Youth Center
The Mission of the Chester County Youth Center is to provide secure, safe custody, to promote the health and well-being of youths committed to its care, and to create an environment that fosters social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.
Child Guidance Resource Center
The mission of Child Guidance Resource Center is to provide high quality, community-based therapeutic, supportive, and preventive behavioral healthcare services for children, adolescents and families with mental health, developmental disability, and residential needs.
Community Care Behavioral Health
At Community Care, our goal is to improve the health and well-being of the community through delivery of effective and accessible behavioral health services.
Crime Victims Center of Chester County
The Crime Victims Center of Chester County, Inc. provides free and confidential services to victims and their family members and significant others who reside in or were victimized in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Delaware County Suicide Prevention Task Force
The Delaware County Suicide Prevention Task Force was established in 2002 by individuals from the county who had lost someone close to suicide and who felt that more should be done to spare others this tragedy and the stigma that accompanies it. In 2003 it was adopted by the Delaware County Medical Society, which had aided it since its inception.
Devereux Foundation
Devereux is a non-profit organization providing services around the nation for persons with emotional, developmental & educational disabilities.
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
This agency provides intervention, programs, outreach and advocacy to prevent, reduce and remedy domestic violence in Chester County.
Horsham Clinic
The Horsham Clinic offers behavioral health treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults on a 55- acre campus outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Horsham Clinic provides dual-diagnosis treatment for adults who struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol.
PA Dept. of Health
The Department’s mission is to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent injury and disease, and to assure the safe delivery of quality health care for all Commonwealth citizens.
PA Network for Student Assistance Services
The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) is to help students overcome these barriers in order that they may achieve, remain in school, and advance.
Pennsylvania Recovery and Resiliency
Information about Pennsylvania’s adult and older adult suicide prevention effort is available on the site.
Prevent Suicide PA
The mission of Prevent Suicide PA is to support those who are affected by suicide, provide education, awareness, and understanding by collaborating with the community to prevent suicide, and reduce the stigma associated with suicide.
S.O.S.—Survivors Of Suicide
The purpose of the Survivors Of Suicide web site is to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide resolve their grief and pain in their own personal way.
Valley Creek Crisis Intervention
Valley Creek Crisis Center, located in Exton, PA, offers a crisis program to assist children, adolescents and adults experiencing varying levels of crisis. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are free to the residents of Chester County. All of Valley Creek’s services are consumer-driven, recovery-oriented and culturally competent.
