SAN ANGELO, Texas — In 2001, San Angelo resident Jana Anderson received a call no parent wants to hear: her son, who was 22-years old at the time, had committed suicide the previous evening and was discovered the following morning.
For Anderson, as for many, losing a loved one to suicide is a never-ending trauma.
"If you've not experienced it before or know someone close that has, you just, you don't understand what a stigma there is attached to suicide," Anderson said.
At the time of her son's death, Anderson felt alone, especially during the early 2000's when mental health issues like depression were often heavily stigmatized.
"It was just kept very quiet, few talk about it," Anderson said. "Lots of people ignore you because they don't know what to say."
During this time period, there also weren't many resources available in West Texas for those who had lost someone to suicide.
Approximately 15 years after her son's death, West Texas Counseling & Guidance launched its Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group. Sometime thereafter, the Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team was also formed.
Anderson joined LOSS in its initial year, eventually becoming a co-facilitator of the group, which gathers volunteers to be on-call at the scene of suicides.
Along with a mental health professional, survivors are called by dispatch officers, where they help provide resources for family, friends and/or those who are witnesses.
"We're just there to mainly let the survivor know that they're not by themselves, they're not the only person this has ever happened to because when it happens to you, you don't know anyone else usually," Anderson said.
From noon-2 p.m. Nov. 18, West Texas Counseling & Guidance is hosting a meeting at the Bearded Barista, 2412 College Hills Blvd., for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
As a long-time member of the group, Anderson says progress has been made by creating a space where survivors can speak directly with one another about their traumas.
"You don't get over it," Anderson said wiping a tear from her eye. "You get through it."
Visit sanangelocounseling and/or lossteamsos for more information and resources.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story contains discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. An online chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
