I couldn't be more honored and excited -- because AOH and I share a number of fundamental beliefs regarding grief support for survivors of suicide loss, for example:
• Compassionate peer helpers can deliver effective services to survivors
• Peer helpers should have specialized training and support
• Survivors need access to services 24/7
• A survivor community is a source of healing in its own right
• Hope is a powerful force, even when we feel that we've lost it
AOH proves up on all of the above through ...
• the leadership of its executive director Ronnie Walker, whose story is as inspiring as they come;
• its state-of-the-art website (see it for yourself), which is visited by 20,000 people per month; and
• AOH's Community Forum (6,000 members), which is moderated by no less than 25 skilled peer helpers.
I invite Grief after Suicide readers to explore the Alliance of Hope website, its community forum, and the information and resources to which AOH is connected. In the meantime, I am going to take full advantage of this opportunity that has been provided to me, which is -- hopefully -- to be of service to an organization that I believe is changing the landscape of recovery for survivors of suicide loss.