SAFE PLACE SURVIVOR PROGRAM (212) 673-3041

Safe Place is the name of the free survivor support group program run by the Samaritans of New York for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It is designed to provide suicide survivors with a safe and supportive environment where they can talk about their thoughts and feelings tied to their loss in the company of other people who have had a similar experience.

The meetings are free and offered twice a month at easily accessible locations in New York City. Only survivors--those who have directly lost a loved one to suicide--can attend these meetings and all participants must be 18 or older. There are no exceptions.

Safe Place meetings are run by trained facilitators that are, also, respected Samaritans volunteers who are experienced in dealing with the complex issues surrounding suicide and its aftermath. The meetings are run as peer support groups, where the people participating have the opportunity to focus on their thoughts and feelings, challenges and difficulties coping with their loss, without any undo pressures or expectations or other people judging them or giving them advice.

To maintain the "safety" and confidential nature of the meetings for every one in attendance, participants must have had a close, personal or some form of intimate relationship with the person they lost. Resultingly, participants are not allowed to be accompanied by friends or others to provide support--That is the role of the group and the facilitators.

This need to maintain a Safe Place means that students of suicide prevention, including clinicians, researchers, creative artists, writers and others who want to attend the meeting in order to learn about this issue and how it impacts people are, also, barred from the meetings. These guidelines are strictly enforced.

Based on Samaritans over 20 years of experience and the feedback from mental health professionals in this area, we believe it is best for those who have experienced a loss to suicide to wait a minimum of two months before attending a meeting. We advise participants to first engage some form of professional care and support and to allow a little time to pass after the initial traumatic shock.

From reading this description, if you feel that Safe Place would be a productive component of your coping process, you are welcome to attend a Samaritans Safe Place meeting. Should you feel the need to talk to one of our Safe Place facilitators first, do not hesitate to call (212) 673-3041 and leave your name, phone number and the best time to reach you. We will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner.

Safe Place Meetings are scheduled the first Wednesday and third Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 p.m. (So that participants are not interrupted, doors close and no one is allowed entrance after 7:15 p.m.)

On Wednesdays, the meetings are held at: St. Stephen's Church, 120 West 69th Street (off Broadway); use the door marked "Undercroft" located to the right of the church office.

On Tuesdays, the meetings are held at: Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, 281 Park Avenue South (at 22nd Street); ring the buzzer to the left of the main entrance.

Every person who attends a Safe Place meeting will be required to show a photo I.D. upon entrance and fill-in an attendance sheet with their name, street address and phone number.

We invite you to download a Samaritans Safe Place flier: