MKE L.O.S.S. Support and Resources for Healing

What to tell others about your loss is a personal choice. Honesty about the loss and the type of loss has been found to be helpful in addressing grief and stigma around suicide. Details do not need to be shared. Some additional considerations are below:

Children & Teens: It is recommended to start with an honest, simple explanation for the loss. Details do not need to be shared. Let the child’s/teen’s questions guide the conversation. Being open about the loss will help children and youth begin to process the death. Saying the word “suicide” will not increase the risk of someone dying by suicide.

See the Supporting Others: Children, Youth, and Young Adults dropdown below and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Resource and Healing Guide for more information.

Media Guidelines: Media may or may not be interested in your situation. You do not have to speak to the media. If the media comes to you or you know the media will be reporting, it is suggested they follow reporting guidelines for suicide. These guidelines can be found at Reportingonsuicide.org/.

Safe Language: Suicide and suicide loss is often stigmatized, leaving people feeling isolated. When communicating about suicide, it is important to use safe language that puts people first and reduces stigma around mental health and suicide. One example of safe language is to use the phrase “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide.”

For more information, please see 988's Suicide Safe Language resource.

Before you can take care of others, you will need to take care of yourself. If you can, ask for help from others. Try to eat well, drink water, sleep, and exercise if you can. Find a trusted professional to talk to. See the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Children, Teens, and Suicide Loss booklet for more information.

Grief

Everyone grieves in their own way, in their own time. Children may not show any outward feelings of grief or may show their grief through certain behaviors (e.g., physical aggression, stomach pain). Often, children will play and act “normal.” Still, children and youth will experience similar feelings of anger, guilt, fear, and anxiety. It will be important to listen and reassure them you are there to support them if and when they are ready to talk.

What to Share

It is recommended to start with an honest, simple explanation about the death. Details do not need to be shared. Let the child’s/teen’s questions guide the conversation. Being open about the loss will help children and youth begin to process the death. Saying the word “suicide” will not increase the risk of someone dying by suicide. See the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Children, Teens, and Suicide Loss booklet for more information.

Children's Grief and Bereavement Resources

• Children’s Wisconsin Grief Support and Bereavement
  • (414) 337-4250
  • griefsupport@childrenswi.org
  • Bereavement Coordinator: Nichole Stangel
    • (414) 266-2995
    • nstangel@chw.org
• Project Ujima
  • Project Ujima is a community program that helps victims of violence and provides services at Children's Wisconsin, your home, and in the community.
  • They typically work with young children and teens
  • Contact: (414) 266-2557
• Healing Hearts of Southeast Wisconsin
  • Healing Hearts offers general grief support groups for families, including Spanish language groups.
  • Note: Their groups are for all types of grief, not only grief related to suicide loss.
• Redefining Life Center for Grief & Healing
  •  Support for children, teens, adults, and families.
• Coping After Suicide Support Group - Teens
  • Held virtually on Mondays from 6-7:30 p.m. ET
• Coping After Suicide Support Group - TwentySomethings
  • Held virtually on Mondays from 8-9:30 p.m. ET
• Camp Hope
  •  Free weekend camp for grieving children, teens, and families in Wisconsin
• Comfort Zone Camp
  • Camps for children ages 7-25 in New Jersey or Michigan.

On Scene Experience

At first, the death of your loved one will be viewed as an investigation. This means, first responders will need to ask several questions. It may feel like you are being investigated. You may also be separated from other loved ones for a time. You may be asked the following about your loved one:

• The last time you saw or spoke to your loved one
• Medical, mental health, or substance use history
• Challenges faced by your loved one (e.g., financial, legal, relationship)
• Access to medication or firearms

Items from the scene, like personal belongings or a suicide note, will often be kept by the investigators. You will also be asked about an autopsy, screening for substances, and organ donation.

Cleaning Services

If cleaning services are needed for your home, the cost may be covered by your home or rental insurance. Contact your insurance provider first. This list is not exhaustive. An online search for biohazard cleaning should provide additional results.

• Bio-One Milwaukee
  
  • (414) 418-2521

Closing Accounts and Insurance

In the days and weeks after your loss, you will need to think about any important accounts or policies your loved one had. Copies of the death certificate may be needed for each account.

Depending on the type of account you will be closing, a Fact of Death Certificate (does not contain manner or cause of death) may be sufficient or an Extended Fact of Death Certificate will be needed. For more information, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records: Requesting a Vital Record page.  

• Life Insurance – Each policy may be different. It will be important to review your specific policy regarding a “suicide exclusion” or “incontestability.” Generally, if the death occurred within the first 2 years of a policy, the death benefit claim can be denied.
• Health Insurance – If you are covered by your loved one’s insurance, you may be able to continue this coverage if premiums are paid.
• Car Insurance – Taking your loved one off the policy will reduce your premium payment.
• Other accounts – Credit cards, bank accounts, utility accounts and others may need to be closed or changed to your name only.

Medical and Other Bills

• If your loved one was an adult or non-dependent you are not responsible for medical bills, loans, and other debts (e.g., credit cards, car payments, home loans) that were in their name only. However, payments may need to be covered by the individual’s estate if funds are available.
• If your name is on any of these accounts, or you are a parent, you are responsible for payment. Social security benefits, life insurance, and other savings may be used. Additionally, in Wisconsin if you are the living spouse, you are responsible for payment.

Grief after a suicide loss can be complicated and often isolating. Feelings can include shock, anger, guilt, and depression-like symptoms (e.g., disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, intense sadness, lack of energy). You may also feel the effects of trauma (e.g., on-edge or extreme alertness, being easily upset).

Getting help with these feelings will be important for you to process your grief.

Suicide Bereavement-Trained Clinicians for Adults

These clinicians have been specially trained to work with individuals who have experienced suicide loss. Contact us if you would like to schedule with these clinicians. We can provide guidance on how to get scheduled sooner.

• Jennifer Smith, Psy D, LPC
  17100 W. North Ave. Suite 100
  Brookfield, WI 53005
  262) 786-9184
  drjlsmith17@gmail.com

• Andrew Schramm, PhD
  8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
  Medical College of Wisconsin/Froedtert
  Milwaukee, WI 53226
  (414) 955-1743
  aschramm@mcw.edu
  

• Access Clinic-Outreach Community Health Centers

  • Services for uninsured/underinsured
  • Request to see a suicide bereavement trained clinician - they have four across three sites.
  • Walk-in hours at all sites available from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
  • 210 W. Capitol Dr. (414) 257-7665
  • 1635 W. National Ave. (414) 257-7900
  • 8200 W. Silver Spring Dr. (414) 257-5190

One-on-One Therapy Options

When looking for a counselor or therapist, you may want to think about: 1) the person’s experience with trauma, grief, and loss, 2) shared cultural background or characteristics (e.g., gender, religion, race, or ethnicity), 3) insurance coverage or cost.

Sometimes, finding a good fit with a clinician can be difficult. Not all clinicians are trained in grief and bereavement, and even fewer have specific training in suicide loss. If you are not happy with your care and would like help finding other options, please contact the Postvention Program Manager.

16th Street Clinic Behavioral Health

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) Services: Accepts most commercial insurance plans, BadgerCare Plus, Medicare, sliding fee scale for those uninsured.
• (414) 672-1353

HIR Wellness

• Provides free mental health and wellness services to Milwaukee residents and WI Indigenous Residents
• Program coordinator: Guinevere at GDuquaine@HIRWellness.org
• (414) 763-5815

City of Milwaukee Health Department ReCAST Program

• 6 free sessions with local credible clinician or healer, including a counselor or therapist
• Contact Julien Phifer who will coordinate connection
• Office: (414) 758-7693; Email: jphifer@milwaukee.gov

Sebastian Family Psychology Practice

• 6025 N. Green Bay Ave, 2nd Floor
  Glendale, WI
  (414) 247-0801
• Provides mental health counseling and other services, including services for refugees and immigrants
• Accepts Medicaid, Children’s Community Health Plan, selected private insurances and sliding scale

Other Ways to Find a Clinician

• Contact your health insurance provider
• Search Mental Health America of Wisconsin's Milwaukee County Mental Health & Wellness Resource Directory
• To find a culturally competent mental health professional, visit the Find Me a Therapist website.

Local Therapeutic Options

Access Clinic-Outreach Community Health Centers

• Services for uninsured/underinsured
• Request to see a suicide bereavement trained clinician - they have four across three sites.
• Walk-in hours available at all sites from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• 210 W. Capitol Dr. (414) 257-7665
• 1635 W. National Ave. (414) 257-7900
• 8200 W. Silver Spring Dr. (414) 257-5190

Black Space

• (414) 249-7301
• Focuses on group therapy for BIPOC & LGBTQ+ adults, has separate groups for identifying women, men, & LGBTQ+
• Sign up online or by emailing blackspacemke@gmail.com

CLARA Healing Institute

• 7954 Harwood Ave.
  Wauwatosa, WI 53213
• (414) 435-9603
• Services on reduced/sliding scale
• Child/youth; grief/loss; art therapy

Froedtert Tosa Health Center Grief Clinic

• 1155 N. Mayfair Rd.
  Wauwatosa, WI 53226
• (414) 955-8952

988

• If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available from the Wisconsin Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Milwaukee County Crisis Services

• 24-7 crisis support & crisis mobile team
• (414) 257-7222

Trevor Project

• Trained counselors to support individuals who identify with LGBTQIA+ community.
• Available 24/7, 365 days a year
• Text-START to 678-678
• Call 1 (866) 488-7386
• Trevor Project Chat

Code Green Crisis Line

• 24/7 Peer Support for first responders and family members
• 1 (206) 459-3020

Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program

• Must be completed by funeral or crematory providers
• Only for those enrolled in eligible programs (e.g. Badger Care)
• Cannot reimburse expenses already paid

Milwaukee County DHHS Burial Assistance Program

• For Milwaukee County residents who are not eligible for WFCA program
• Maximum covered $400
• Must meet income and asset guidelines
• (414) 289-6714

Helpful Hearts Foundation, Inc.

• For those not eligible for WFCA program
• Maximum covered $2,500
• Must complete within 60 days of date of death
• Residents of Milwaukee County will need to be approved by Board of Directors

Individuals who have experienced a loss from suicide have often found it helpful to meet with others who have faced a similar loss. Most often, this happens through support groups, one-on-one peer support, or online.

Suicide-Specific Groups

Survivors Helping Survivors - Hosted by Mental Health America Wisconsin

• South Side Group
  • Held virtually on the second Tuesday of the month
  • 7-8 p.m.
• North Side Group
  • Held virtually on the first Wednesday of the month
  • 6-7 p.m.
• East Side Group
  • Held virtually on the third Wednesday of the month
  • 7-8 p.m.
• For meeting details, contact erica@mhawisconsin.org or call (414) 336-7984.

Survivors Helping Survivors - Hosted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Held in-person on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Held virtually on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7-8 p.m.
• For family members and friends 18+.
• People interested in attending must register by the Monday prior to the group.
• E-mail Jennifer Smith at jsmith@namisoutheastwi.org for location details and information.

Mourning & Muffins: Loss Through Suicide Support Group

• Held in-person on the second Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m.
• Elmbrook Church, Room B229
  777 S. Barker Rd.
  Brookfield, WI 53045
• Registration not required
• Contact Barb at 262-424-8375 for questions.

Guided Grief Meditation Circles - Hosted by Healing Intergenerational Roots (HIR) Wellness Institute

• Held in a hybrid format every Wednesday and Friday from 4-6 p.m.
• Location: 3136 W. Kilbourn Ave.
• For more information or to register, contact Guinevere at GDuQuaine@HIRWellness.org or call (414) 763-5815.

Healing Conversations

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Wisconsin Chapter

Peer support (someone who has experienced a similar loss) is provided through one-on-one meetings (in person, over phone, virtual).

• Gena Orlando, Area Director
  gorlando@afsp.org
  (414) 216-4180

To be connected, fill out the Healing Conversations Request Form.

Online Resources

• Prevent Suicide Wisconsin
  • Local information and resources
  • Special resource section for specific populations

• Alliance of Hope
  • Find helpful resources to help you understand, cope, and begin to heal
  • Find information for the newly bereaved

• Parents of Suicides
  • Online community, exclusively for parents, to offer understanding, support, information and hope
  • Email Karyl Chastain Beal (arlynsmom@cs.com) to receive application to join

• Friends for Survival
  • Provides resources, including a monthly newsletter
  • Online support groups
  • Toll Free Suicide Loss Helpline: 1-800-646-7322

• Coping After Suicide
  • Online support groups for teens and adults, including loss specific groups (e.g., fathers)

Social Media

• Facebook Groups:
  • Young Adult Survivors of Suicide Loss (YASSL)
  • Friends for Survival
• Instagram
  • #survivorsofsuicideloss
  • afspwichapter
  • mcwsuicideprev
  • chaosofloss
  • unlockethelight
  • letters_to_john
• Survivor Day Documentaries

• Non-crisis peer phone/text line open to Hmong community members.
• Open to assist calls and texts 24/7
• 1-877-740-4292

PRISM

• Non-crisis support for those who identify with LGBTQIA+ community.
• Monday-Friday & Sunday 10am-10apm; Saturday 12pm-10pm
• Call or text (414) 336-7974

Service Member, Veteran & Family (SMVF) Warmline

• 24/7 support for Wisconsin residents who are currently serving or have previously served and their families.
• Leave a message with call-back information, county of residence, and veteran/military connection.
• (262) 336-9540

Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline

• 24/7 support for Wisconsin farmers and family members
• (888) 901-2558

Friendship Line

• 24/7 support for people aged 60 years and older or adults living with disabilities
• (800) 971-0016

Uplift WI

• Non-crisis peer phone line open to Wisconsin residents
• Operates from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. CST daily
• 1 (534) 202-5438

Physician Support Line

• Support for U.S. physicians and medical students that is confidential and anonymous
• 1 (888) 409-0141
• Operates from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. ET

To receive support from MCW faculty/staff trained in suicide loss, please contact the MKE LOSS program. The resources below are available to individuals in MCW/Froedtert; however, not all clinicians or programs have knowledge or experience in grief and bereavement, and even fewer have specific training in suicide loss. It may be beneficial to ask directly about suicide bereavement experience, and/or experience in grief and trauma.

With MCW, you have two primary benefits for accessing mental health services:

1) MCW Student and Resident Behavioral Health

2) Student Assistance Program, Com Psych/Guidance Resources

The first ten sessions are provided to students free of charge. This benefit extends to spouses and children of the resident or fellow. After that, co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance are paid in accordance with the patient's health insurance plan.

The same benefit applies to our Student Assistance Program, ComPsych, which offers a wide array of skilled clinicians (but not prescribers) across the Milwaukee area and Wisconsin, some with extended hours. This is an option for those who wish to seek services outside of the MCW/Froedtert network.

Benefits for Housestaff

The first three (3) sessions are provided to housestaff free of charge, courtesy of MCWAH. This benefit extends to spouses and children of the resident or fellow. After that, co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance are paid in accordance with the patient's health insurance plan.

Employee and Family Assistance Program

• https://infoscope.mcw.edu/HR/Benefits/Employee-and-Family-Assistance-Program.htm
• Call: (866) 379-0237
• TTY: (800) 697-0353

Support Our Staff (SOS) Peer Program

• https://infoscope.mcw.edu/GME-Intranet/Housestaff-Resources/Peer-Supporter-Program.htm
• The goals of this program are to promote a stronger peer support network, enhance provider well-being, and ultimately improve patient safety. Individual Peer Supporters are trained to support their colleagues and foster awareness about Second Victim Syndrome.
• See website to find your department’s peer supporter OR Page the SOS Team: (414) 314-1763