The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is offering training programs to help individuals learn the "how-to's" of creating and facilitating a support group for survivors of suicide loss. This comprehensive hands-on training program helps survivors of suicide loss and interested others learn the basic skills needed to lead bereavement support group for adults. The two-day program combines lecture, interactive discussion and role-playing with feedback. It is an opportunity to have your questions answered, hear new ideas, and practice your skills. The training program provides a structured educational environment where participants can best develop and practice the skills necessary to facilitate a group effectively. AFSP cannot provide any type of certification, endorsement of support groups, or continuing education credits, but can provide a letter confirming attendance.
The training program is appropriate both for survivors who would like to start a new group, as well as those who currently facilitate a group and would like to increase their knowledge and skills. Note: In order to create an environment in which participants can best develop and practice the skills necessary to facilitate a group effectively, attendees should be at least two years after the suicide of their loved one. The training is not a good fit for survivors who have lost a loved one to suicide within the last two years, because it is not meant to serve as a healing conference. (For information about AFSP’s healing conferences, visit www.afsp.org/survivorday or call 1-888-333-2377 x2035.)
The training will take place on Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th at the Sheraton Suites, Orlando Airport. Registration deadline is April 18. Space is limited, so please register early. Your registration is not finalized until you receive a confirmation email from AFSP, which will contain full details on the training location and agenda. Registrations received after the deadline will be accepted on a space-available basis. The fee for the two day training is $175; this includes a working dinner on Friday evening, lunch on Saturday, and all training materials (manual, DVD, handouts). Transportation and hotel accommodations are not covered by the registration fee. Partial limited scholarships for the registration fee may be available; call 1-888-333-AFSP x2035. If this date doesn't work for you, the training is typically offered three to four times a year at various locations across the country; you can check here for more info)
Hotel accommodations are available at a special rate of $89/night plus tax (double occupancy). AFSP will make all hotel reservations - please indicate if you need a room on your registration form. You will be asked to present your credit card to the hotel at check-in to cover the room charge and incidentals, so please do not send payment to AFSP for your hotel accommodations. To help keep your costs down, consider sharing a room with another attendee. We can help you find a roommate, or you may choose your own. Roommate assignments will be given at check-in.
Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel, please contact us no later than April 18. If you cancel after that time, the registration fee may be applied to a future AFSP training or may be converted to a tax-deductible contribution. An online registration form is available at this link: https://afsp.wufoo.com/forms/facilitator-training-registration-orlando/
AFSP makes this training publicly available for anyone interested in starting their own support groups for bereavement after suicide and for those who already facilitate groups and wish to increase their skills and knowledge. However, AFSP does not run, endorse, or fund support groups. If an attendee starts a support group after the training, (or continues to facilitate an already existing group) it will NOT be an AFSP support group and will NOT be funded by AFSP.
Replies