Peninsula recognizes Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Nov. 19
November 15, 2022, 9:46 a.m.

KNOXVILLE -- Suicide affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States in 2020, there was nearly 46,000 suicide deaths, equating to one death every 11 minutes. Additionally, 12.2 million people seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a suicide plan and 1.2 million attempted suicide.

In addition to the person committing suicide, family and friends are also affected and left in the wake of their loss. Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, created by U.S. Senator Harry Reid in 1999, is recognized each November on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Parkwest Medical Center and Peninsula will host an event for Survivors of Suicide Loss on Nov. 19, 2022 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., intended for those affected by suicide to come together for healing and support. This event is free to attend; advanced registration is required. Parkwest Medical Center is located at 9352 Park West Boulevard, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923

In addition to several community speakers, the event features keynote remarks from Denise Meine-Graham, founder of LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Community Services, an organization based in Columbus, Ohio, that supports survivors of suicide loss through support groups, remembrance events and postvention programs. LOSS teams consist of trained volunteers that are sent to the scene of a suicide immediately to support those left behind.

To learn more or register for the Nov. 19 Survivors of Suicide Loss Event, visit TreatedWell.com/Survivor or call 865-374-PARK (7275).

More Resources: If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, call or text the National Suicide Prevention at 988.

Local Support Groups: The aftermath of losing someone to suicide is a grief-filled time that looks different for everyone. Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center, offers a free support group to help those grieving work through the pain.

ComPASS, or Communicating the Pain as Suicide Survivors, provides a safe place of support where members gain understanding and education during their grieving of the loss of a loved one. ComPASS currently meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. in person at Peninsula Lighthouse, 1451 Dowell Springs Blvd. in Knoxville, lower level, and is open to the public. A Zoom link is available for those wanting to join from another location. To learn more or to join the group, visit PeninsulaBehavioralHealth.org/Compass or call 865-374-7106.

About Parkwest Medical Center
Parkwest Medical Center, a member of Knoxville-based Covenant Health, is west Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top performing heart hospital. In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest performs more joint replacement surgeries than any other hospital in the area, and offers award-winning care throughout our facility. For more information, visit TreatedWell.com.

About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is an award-winning Tennessee healthcare delivery system serving 23 counties and committed to providing excellent care for our 2 million+ patients each year. We fulfill our mission to improve the quality of life in our region through comprehensive services at nearly 150 locations, including 10 hospitals; outpatient clinics; specialized behavioral, oncology and rehabilitation facilities; home care; physician practices, and community programs. With more than 11,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has been recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer seven times. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.