Global Grief Network logoGGN Suicide Prevention
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 7 of 7

Practitioner Takeaways

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. Who this is for
  2. Key takeaways
  3. In group settings

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Who this is for

This module is for grief educators, volunteers, faith leaders, funeral professionals, peer supporters, and other practitioners. It does not replace professional training in suicide risk assessment or crisis response.

Key takeaways

  1. Ask directly. When grief and warning signs meet, ask clearly about suicide using the word.
  2. Listen first. Calm, nonjudgmental listening builds trust.
  3. Know your role. Educators and peer supporters connect people to help. Assessment and treatment belong to licensed professionals.
  4. Connect and follow up. Share 988 and 911, help with a warm handoff when possible, and check in again.
  5. Never promise secrecy about safety. Explain the limits of confidentiality at the start of your work.
  6. Use safe messaging. No method details, no graphic description, and never present suicide as a solution or as inevitable. Emphasize hope, help-seeking, and connection.
  7. Honor loss survivors. Avoid blame, use "died by suicide," and remember the person's whole life.
  8. Plan ahead. Know your organization's policies and local resources before you need them.
  9. Care for yourself. Debrief with a supervisor or trusted colleague, and seek support after hard conversations.

In group settings

When leading grief groups or classes, name at the start that suicide may come up, share 988 and 911, and explain what you will do if someone shares thoughts of suicide. Check in privately with anyone who seems at risk.

Practitioner reminder: Stay within your training. When in doubt, consult, refer, and connect.
GGN practiceMy referral map (about 15 minutes)

List your organization's policy for responding to thoughts of suicide, a supervisor you can consult, local mental health and crisis options, and 988 and 911. Keep this map where you work.

Fictional storyFictional Story 7.1: A grief group moment

In a grief group, a member says she does not see the point of going on. The facilitator, Jordan, gently acknowledges her pain, follows up privately after the session, asks directly about suicide, and helps her connect to 988. Jordan then debriefs with a supervisor.

Discussion: Jordan asked, connected, followed policy, and cared for herself afterward.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What is your plan if someone shares thoughts of suicide in your work?
  2. Who supports you after hard conversations?

Module 7 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.