Survivors Day

Suicide claims more than 47,000 lives each year in the Unites States alone and is the nation’s tenth leading cause of death.
In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the United States Senate which led to the creation of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Also known as Survivor Day, the day was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide can join together for healing and support. It was determined that Survivor Day would always fall on the Saturday before the U.S Thanksgiving holiday, as the holiday season can often be a difficult time for suicide loss survivors.
Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention supports hundreds of large and small Survivor Day events around the world, in which suicide loss survivors come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience. While each event is unique and offers various programming, all feature an AFSP-produced documentary that offers a message of growth, resilience and connection.
In 2018, 370 total events took place, including 32 international sites in 19 countries.