Survivors' Stories Featured in Lifeline Gallery

Survivors of suicide loss might want to visit the Lifeline Gallery, where they can listen to everyday people's stories about coping after suicide -- as well as tell their own story of being bereaved by suicide.

• Stories in the "Loss" section are for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide.
• Stories in the "Turning Points" section are for people who have survived a suicide attempt or have struggled with thoughts of suicide.
• Stories in the "Helpers" section are for caregivers, advocates, or supporters working on behalf of suicide prevention.

When it was launched in 2008, the Lifeline Gallery was described in a Los Angeles Times health blog as a place where...

... Americans who have lost a loved one to suicide share their heartbreak. And those who have considered suicide -- or survived an attempt -- share their transformations. The site ... features speaking avatars -- animated images created by users who choose their on-screen self's age, hair color, clothing and accessories. The voices are recorded by telephone ... The site, which aims to raise awareness about suicide's impact and to offer help and support to people who need it, asks that visitors who create avatars omit last names, money requests, links to for-profit organizations and, most important, descriptions of the actual suicide or attempt. The focus is on prevention ...

The website provides a "how-to" button at the top of every page and complete guidelines for creating a story, which is relatively esay to do in 5 to 10 minutes. If you'd like to hear an example from the Lifeline Gallery, here is a link to the story of Franklin Cook, SAVE's Director of Survivor and Bereavement Programs (the story was posted in 2008).