After The SoS: Other Mental Health Support Groups

It was over a week ago in which the head of the Survivors of Suicide, the best-known depression support group in Second Life, announced it's closing. The natural reaction of some was worry, wondering where else they could go. So the SoS staff provided a list of other groups.

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As you search for new groups and spaces to get support with your mental health, please be mindful that SL is NOT an appropriate medium to offer or receive therapy, counseling, or medical advice, and that anyone offering these services should be avoided at all costs. No matter what they may tell you, you have no way of verifying their credentials, nor is there any licensing authority that would permit them to offer those services through a platform like Second Life.  

Only relevant groups with a proven track record, or new groups that are run by people with a proven track record have been included. (Listed alphabetically)

Fearless Nation - A 501c3 nonprofit providing PTSD education and support to SL residents since 2009.

"Founded in 2009, Fearless Nation PTSD Support is a 501c3 and 509(a)(1) and (2) organization as determined by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), meaning that we are a publicly supported charity (not a “private foundation”) and an exempt-purpose, activity-supported charity."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fearless%20Nation/134/118/22

Let's Talk - A mental health peer support group with great listeners and frequent support group meetings. Established in 2018.

"Hello. At *Let's Talk* the volunteers offer a little time to listen to anyone who feels they would like to talk to someone about a problem - large or small.  We do not try to fix you, we are not therapists, we are simply a group of people who have our own life experiences and understand that at times life can be very difficult.  We can listen to you only as a friend would, try to encourage you or look at things from a new perspective. We can also learn from you as everyone's feelings or problems are unique."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lawst%20Paradise/228/137/2501

Impact Mental Health - A brand new mental health peer support organization run by former SOS staff, providing a safe space where people can get support from other people with similar experiences.

"Impact Mental Health is a peer support organization with a heavy focus on mental health. We provide a safe space, free of judgment or stigma where people can get support from other people with similar experiences.

"We are inclusive and open to all. We do not tolerate discrimination and we actively defy stigma.

"We are not doctors, therapists or counselors - nor do we pretend to be.

"Mental health therapy can be an important factor in recovery for many people and we fully encourage anyone who needs therapy to speak to their RL doctor or mental health team, but we do not offer therapy at Impact. We recommend you don't use any other "therapy services" in second life either as you have no way of verifying if the people offering it are legitimate. "

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Urban%20Dream/14/245/46

Virtual Ability - A support community for people with disabilities. Though not specifically geared towards mental health, they provide excellent support for people with a wide range of disabilities, including mental health disabilities.

"Virtual Ability has been building communities of support for people with disabilities in virtual worlds since 2007. About three-quarters of our group members have one or more kinds of disability (physical, mental, emotional, developmental or sensory) or chronic illness; the rest are family members, caregivers, professionals, researchers, students, and others interested in disability issues.

For anyone not yet a member of the Virtual Ability group, we invite you to take a look at upcoming events scheduled on our Community events calendar. The calendar is posted inworld near the Cabana Classrooms on Virtual Ability island."

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/141/129/23

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The Newser covered the opening of Impact Mental Health last week, and has written about Fearless Nation and Virtual Ability in the past. We may cover the others in the future.

Bixyl Shuftan

Survivors of Suicide Closes, Impact Mental Health Opens

This weekend, the most well-known of mental health support groups, the Survivors of Suicide, had it's last meeting. Soon after, the sim was closed, and the group was closed to new messages. But while this group was closing, another was opening. Impact Mental Health was another mental health support group that was created in response to the closing of SoS, and had taken on many of it's members. Their grand opening event was also this weekend.

Read the story in People.
  

Weekend in Brief

 

Quite a bit happened this past weekend. Among the events was the conclusion of the Burn2 festival, which culminated with the Burning of The Man (above) and the Temple Burn. It was also the conclusion of the Sci-Fi Expo, which raised money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Sadly there was a sad event, the announcement that the Survivors of Suicide depression support group was closing. And while on a Monday and not the weekend, the "Trick or Treat" game on Bellissaria started.
 

Survivors of Suicide Owner Announces Closing of Group

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After thirteen years, Second Life's largest depression-support group will soon be closing.

On Saturday October 16 at 2PM, SoS leader Sebastien Bouevier met with others in the group. There, he would first announce that he had reluctantly made the decision to close the group. He would also post the news in the group's blog (https://www.survivorsofsuicidesl.org/post/sos-is-closing), and on Facebook.

Today I did the hardest thing I have ever had to do in Second Life. Survivors of Suicide has been a part of my life for a full decade. It has been my pride and joy, and a real privilege to have been at the helm of this organization for the past seven years. It makes saying goodbye so hard, and I am so sad to announce that after 13 years in Second Life, Survivors of Suicide is closing.

Sebastien was interviewed in 2017 and 2019 by the Newser. He had first joined the group as someone in need of it's services. Eventually, he would end up taking over the group when it's founder could no longer lead it. Although the group started out for those whom attempted suicide, or whose friends and family had, it eventually expanded to help others suffered from depression (and friends of).

Chatting (with an alt) with some people in the group, a few mentioned on new depression support group: Impact Mental Health. It is led by Kitten Stratten-Jaks (Kitten Meridoc).

The last meeting of Survivors of Suicide is scheduled for Saturday October 23rd at 3PM.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Grand Opening Party For New "Survivors of Suicide" Sim

 

On Saturday August 21 and Sunday August 22, the Survivors of Suicide celebrated the grand opening of their new home sim. The "SoS" as it's known for short has been a noted mental health group in Second Life for several years, and have been more in demand with the Pandemic. Gemma Cleanslate was at their celebration, and saw quite a bit.
 
Read Gemma's article in Events.
 

Announcement: Grand Opening of New Home of Survivors of Suicide

Please join us in celebrating what will be an exciting weekend for SOS. The unveiling of our new Forever Home on a full 20k prim region kindly given to us by our friends at Linden Labs at a nonprofit rate and lovingly built and landscaped by non other than our Director himself, Sebastien Bouevier.

Mental Health has faced a particularly difficult time during the Covid pandemic and, as a result, worldwide lockdowns. However, we have continued to support our peers and members throughout this time and now that we are, hopefully, nearing an end to the crisis - what better way to celebrate?!

The Grand Opening Weekend will commence Saturday the 21st of August at noon SLT - Sunday 22nd August. There will be 2 hours of live music and, of course, free snacks! It will also be a great opportunity for visitors to explore the new sim and check out all of our new facilities.

We really hope to see as many of you as possible at this exciting event!

On behalf of the entire SOS team, we would like to thank you all for your valued and continuous support.

Sincerely

Sherridon Mercury
Director of Events
Survivors of Suicide

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Survivors%20of%20Suicide/75/122/25

 

Announcement: Mental Health Awareness Month at SOS

Survivors of Suicide will be honouring mental health awareness week by hosting a month-long Mental Health May Festival! JOIN US! WE'RE LIVE!!!!!!! SLURL TO EVENT: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Legenda/28/6/1677

Join us for a month of live music from some of Second Life's finest musicians! Come and play our gift card and gacha lucky dip giveaway! Choose to keep your gift, or pay it forward to friends or family, it is the month of kindness after all! Come and view our communal gratitude wall honouring kindness during this difficult time!

Most importantly, we will be providing information and resources regarding common mental health conditions to raise awareness and support people on their journeys.

Further information regarding the official Mental Health Awareness Week, that we are supporting with our Mental Health May Festival can be found here.

Please note that details of performance times can be found on our calendar here, alternatively, the gallery here contains images from all our wonderfully kind performers!

Survivors of Suicide Christmas Fair

The Survivors of Suicide, the largest depression support group in Second Life, his holding it's Christmas Fair.

December is upon us once more, and with it comes the 11th anniversary of SOS, and our annual Christmas Fair. This year we have more stores, more entertainment, and more activities for everyone, young, old, tall, small, and everyone in between!

So we invite you all to come join us at our annual Christmas Fair once more! This year we have a whopping 46 stores taking part, all selling their wonderful wares and donating parts of the proceeds to Survivors of Suicide. We also have a lot of varied entertainment from DJ's and Dance Troupes to Conceptual Artists and Live Singers. We also have a Photo Contest in conjunction with Focus Magazine, as well as Santa's workshop where you will be able to meet both Santa and Special Guest Elves, and we promise you won't leave empty handed!

And if the stress of Christmas preparations becomes too much, or if you are feeling the Holiday Blues, we will have SOS Mentors and Members at the Christmas Fair throughout December, and we have even dedicated a nice relaxing spot around a bonfire where you can sit and let the world melt away in friendly company. 

The event lasts to January 1, 2020

To read the announcement in full, Click Here

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shadowmoor/88/196/2902

Announcement: Games Day at Survivors of Suicide's Open House, 4PM

Since the start of the new year there have been many changes at SOS. 

We've added directors to the main parts of our group, we've started a new mentor application system to make sure the best people are there to help those in need and we've added new scheduled events for our group members to meet up and find comfort and understanding with others who are going through similar issues.

However, the biggest change has been our location.  We moved from our original parcel to a larger one where we have room to move and offer more space to offer our group members support and an enjoyable place to sit for a while.

We would love it if you, the Second Life community would join us for the weekend of February 9th and 10th to see what we have to offer and how you can help.

There will be events, swag bags and cookies! So come on down to the SOS Clubhouse this weekend and see what we are all about.

For more information, Click Here


4PM

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Legenda/48/55/23

Sebastien Bouevier and Survivors of Suicide

Last month the Survivors of Suicide had their Christmas Fair. Having been around in Second Life for ten years, it is the largest and most recognized depression support group inworld. Deaflegacy recently interviewed the head of the group, Sebastien Bouevier. He had a few things to say about Survivors of Suicide, which has recently moved to a new location.

Read the interview in People.

Survivors of Suicide's 10th Anniversary Christmas Fair.

As the holiday season comes to a close, there was one Christmas event that escaped the Newser's attention, until now. Survivors of Suicide is having it's "Tenth Anniversary Christmas Fair," which ends On January 1. It's Grand Closing Gala is scheduled to happen sometime today, Sunday December 30th. The event takes place slightly more than 4000 meters over the Wayward sim.

This Christmas Fair is happening for many reasons.  It’s our 10th Anniversary and we want to celebrate that accomplishment with everyone in Second Life.  Also, it’s giving us a chance to raise funds to make sure we are on the grid for everyone in need for the foreseeable future.  Last, but definitely not least, we are having this event to raise awareness of our group for anyone who may be in need or would like to come on as a mentor.  We know that the holidays are a hard time for many, and we want you to know that S.O.S. is here for you.

I found a number of shops in the area with a number of items from avatars to furniture to accessories, and more. The stalls have at least one item in which 100% of the sales go to SoS. There were also a few items there donated by Second Life artist Bryn Oh. At a frozen lake was a dance area. There was also a gacha machine where one could get surprise items. All the Lindens used to buy gacha items go to the SoS. There was a photo contest people could vote on. In another corner were games people could play.

If you or a friend or family member are feeling the holiday blues, or you are worried for yourself or someone else, we are here for you.  Grab any information that would be helpful at our information booth and if you need to talk to someone, check our Holiday Cuddle Corner, where mentors and members will be standing by to help with those Holiday Blues. If no one is available on site, join our group, there is always someone in chat to talk to.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wayward/196/214/4003

Bixyl Shuftan

Survivors of Suicide

We all feel down at times. But some of us have real problems falling into and staying in dark moods. Depression can be crippling, and can lead to a final end: suicide. Suicide is a major form of death, with tens of thousands in America and almost a million worldwide taking their own lives despite it being against practically every major religion and philosophy. Fortunately, there are numerous organizations and groups devoted to helping those at risk. In Second Life, one such group is the "Survivors of Suicide." It has moved on to help anyone or friends of someone with depression, but it was created for those who either attempted suicide, those at risk of it, or friends and family of them. The Newser recently sat down with the current head of the group, Sebastien Bouevier, and he talked about Survivors of Suicide and what it does.

Read the story in People.

Rana Dexler of Survivors of Suicide

Depression isn't just simply "the blues," but a real illness. In Second Life, one can find support groups for this and other forms of mental illness. "Survivors of Suicide" despite the name isn't just for those who attempted the act or their friends and families, but for those who have or are recovering from mental conditions, as well as those whom know someone who is. Deaflegacy recently talked to one of  the group's staff, Rana Dexler. She had a few things to say about the organization.

Read Deaflegacy's article in People.

Press Release: Survivors of Suicide

We are a group that provides in world support to those dealing with depression and/ or the loss of a loved on to suicide.  We can make the world a better place together. We have been around since 2009, we are an active group.

Join us!

Survivors of Suicide Depression Support group offers
* Daily positive living and healing articles
* 24/7 Peer support via the groups chat
* Join a community that understands what you are going through, as the are also
* Education about depression and depression related issues
* Referrals to real life resources
* Don't be alone

We have a club house with lots of healing and self help note cards from past posting.  It is a great place to hang out and has greedy greedy and una games out for all to enjoy.  Feel free to come and enjoy and explore. 

Please tell others about SOS buy having it in your profile and./or handing out SOS 1 prim signs that stores, clubs and places in SL can put out to help more people find us.  Talk us up to any bloggers you know and magazine people.


Any help you can provide will be most welcome.

Also seeking a place to host a immersive educational art exhibit about suicide. It will be a walk through exhibit. If you know of anyone with sim space to host this for a month, I would love to know.  Thank you.

Schoomere (161, 48, 23)


Krissy Sinclair
Founder of Survivors of Suicide

"Survivors of Suicide" Valentine Ball

Last weekend on Saturday Feb 11th, there was a fundraiser ball for the "Survivors of Suicide" depression support group. Besides raising Lindens, it was also to provide some fun for both staff and group members alike. The party happened to be at the time news of Whitney Houston's death reached Second Life, which affected the tone of the ball.

Read what happened in Events.

Depression Support Group in Second Life

Most of us know someone who's feeling the blues. But what if it's more than just simple "down" feelings? What if the depressed feelings keep occurring? Where does one turn? There is one such group in Second Life people can turn to. Named the "Survivors of Suicide," the group offers to lend an ear and listen to what mental wellness problem you have of any kind, or if you need advice about someone else.

Read more in People.