POWER OF SURVIVOR CIRCLE EXEMPLIFIED IN SIMPLE, PASSIONATE FILM

I encountered a fantastic film that tells the story of surviving suicide loss candidly and informally, covering the subject in-depth and completely, in a way that very few resources I know of accomplish. The film, "Survivors of Suicide Loss,"* offers a profound and intimate viewing experience, and I recommend it highly to anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide and to everyone who offers assistance to people bereaved by suicide.

The film is basically 90 minutes of five survivors sitting in a circle talking, and even though this approach gives it a homemade feel, the impact of what these survivors say collectively and individually is powerful. The participants, Erika, Andrea, Larry, and Chris, and the facilitator, Penny, demonstrate how enlightening and inspiring -- and hopeful -- it can be when survivors get together and speak from the heart.

I am keeping my recommendation brief because the film speaks for itself, but I do want to say one thing about it that is truly exceptional: Although all of the survivors share their story in a very courageous and helpful way, the one man in the circle, Larry, provides an extraordinary counterpoint to the stereotype that bereaved men are "unable to talk about it" or "unable to express their emotions." I mention this not to compare his story to any of the others (which are all superb) but rather to emphasize in my recommendation that viewing this film would be especially helpful to any man bereaved by suicide.

*Knapp, P. (2012). Survivors of suicide loss: Resource DVD. London, Ontario, Canada: MIKO Productions. Available for purchase here (for a donation plus shipping costs).