STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

A new support group for survivors of suicide will start up Monday, Sept. 16.

The Survivors of Suicide Support Group will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the third Monday of every month at the Flourish Foundation’s office at 1030 Airport Way in Hailey.

The group offers a judgment-free safe space for those who are mourning the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Participants will get the chance to meet and engage with other survivors, share their story and integrate grief as part of their daily life.

There will be a group for adolescents and another for adults.

“This is the first one. We wanted to start it this month since it’s Suicide Prevention Month,” said Brittany Shipley, who has been volunteering with the 5B Suicide Prevention Alliance.

Each day close to 45,000 Americans die by suicide. About half of those cases involve guns.

One Idahoan dies by suicide every 25 hours in Idaho, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Sixty-one percent of the 1,734 deaths by suicide in Idaho during the past five years involved firearms. Eighty-eight percent of the 16 deaths by suicide in Blaine County involved firearms.

The 5B Suicide Prevention Alliance is distributing free gun locks at the Hailey Public Library and at local law enforcement agencies.

Warning signs include: Threatening suicide, isolation or withdrawal from friends and activities, depression, hopelessness, unexplained anger or irritability, recent loss of family or friend through death, divorce or suicide, changes in eating and sleeping habits, lack of interest in activities, recklessness and increased alcohol or drug use.

The program is sponsored by the 5B Suicide Prevention Alliance, NAMI Wood River Valley, Crisis Hotline and Flourish Foundation.

For information, contact programs@namiwrv.org.