If you have lost a loved one to suicide, here are some resources that can help.

AFSP has a number of resources for those affected by suicide loss.

Local Resources

Suicide Bereavement Trained Clinicians: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides a list of clinicians who are knowledgeable about bereavement after suicide and are able to provide grief therapy for survivors.

Local Bereavement Groups: Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention national website to search for Support Groups in your area.

The following resources are available in the National Capital Area specifically for those who have been affected by a suicide loss.  We do not run, recommend, endorse, or fund any of the groups listed. If you run a support group in the area and would like your listing included, please email us at: [email protected]

Additional information for Support Group Facilitators, including how to list support groups on AFSP's Support Group search, can be found here.

*Please note that many groups may now be meeting virtually. We recommend contacting all listed resources directly to confirm most up-to-date details.

General DMV Area

Capital Caring Grief Support: Offers a variety of grief and loss services including grief counseling, support groups, and workshops. Grief counseling is free and limited to relatively short term counseling. Drop-in support groups available with no registration required. Serves adults, teens, and children.

Point of Hope Center Groups meet at a variety of locations throughout the metro area in D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Visit their website for details.
(800) 856-1348 -- to request start of care
(800) 737-2508 -- access the 24-hour care line

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Offers compassionate care to all tose grieving the loss of a military loved one, including suicide-specific loss support such as the Peer Mentor Program, Survivor Care Team, and online community support.

Call (800) 959-TAPS (8277) for the TAPS National Military Survivor Helpline available 24/7. Visit taps.org/suicideloss for more information about the full range of services.

JSSA Suicide Loss Support Group: Meets virtually the first and third Mondays of each month. 

1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Virtual
https://www.jssa.org/
[email protected]
(301) 816-2705

District of Columbia

The Compassionate Friends - DC: For those who have experienced the loss of a child. Free to attend, no advance notice required.

3rd Wednesday of Each Month
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Blackburn Center Howard University
2400 6th St NW
Washington, DC 20008
www.tcfwashingtondc.org
[email protected]
(202) 394-2851

The Wendt Center for Loss & Healing: Offers bereavement groups for adult, teen, adolescent, and child. Facilitated by a profession. Sliding scale fee or free under grants for those who qualify (many insurances accepted). This group is closed, meaning that new members may join only at specific times or under certain circumstances.

www.wendtcenter.org

Northwest DC Office:
4201 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 624-0010

Southeast DC Office:
2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, Suite 234
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 610-0066 

Northern Virginia

The Compassionate Friends - Arlington: For those who have experienced the loss of a child. Free to attend, no advance notice required.

2nd Thursday of Each Month
7:30pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Lewis Room
5533 16th St N.
Arlington, VA 22205
www.tcfarlington.org
[email protected]
(301) 520-0225

The Compassionate Friends - Fairfax: For those who have experienced the loss of a child. Free to attend, no advance notice required.

1st Wednesday of Each Month
7:30pm
St. Mary's Church, Historic Hall
5612 Ox Rd
Fairfax Station, VA 22030
www.tcffairfax.org
[email protected]
(703) 622-3639

Haven of Northern Virginia/Suicide Loss Support: This is an open group facilitated by fellow loss survivors where members may join at any time. 

1st and 3rd Saturdays of Each Month
11:00am - 12:30pm
Haven of Northern Virginia
4606 Ravensworth Road
Annandale, VA 22003
www.havenofnova.org
[email protected]
(703) 941-7000

This organization also offers a virtual grief support group. Registration is required and can be completed by contacted the email address listed above.

This organization also offers a free, four-week general bereavement support group for those who have lost a friend or family member. This group meets Wednesdays from 7:00pm-8:30pm. To register, contact the email address listed above.

Life After Loss Support Group: Facilitated by a fellow loss survivor. Oepn to those who have lost a family member, friend, or coworker to suicide.

Last Wednesday of Each Month
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Contact for location details (Manassas, VA)
djcfoundation.org
Kimberly Fleming
[email protected]
(571) 377-8134

Mary Washington Grief Support Programs: Peer facilitation with variable meeting times according to age group. Please call ahead to confirm meeting location.

2300 Fall Hill Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com
(540) 741-1874 -- call to contact a grief support counselor for referral

Suicide Bereavement for Teens: An ongoing peer support group for young adults aged 14-18 who have lost a loved one, friend, or family member to suicide. This is an open group and new members may join at any time, facilitated by a fellow loss survivor.

2nd Tuesday of Each Month
8:00pm - 9:00pm
The Music Loft
20915 Ashburn Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
Jessica Lincoln
[email protected]

Suicide Loss Support Group Loudoun Co.: This is an open group facilitated by a fellow loss survivor where new members may join at any time.

3rd Wednesday of Each Month
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Leesburg Town Hall, Lower Level Conference Room
25 West Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
Katrina Cole, President
[email protected]
(703) 443-1380

Surviving After Suicide: This is an open group facilitated by a fellow loss survivor where new members may join at any time.

2nd and 4th Thursdays of Each Month
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Contact for location details (Manassas, VA)
Victoria Graham
[email protected]
(703) 441-8606 ext 214
24-hour hotline: (703) 368-4141

Mental Health Referrals

Although AFSP does not endorse or recommend specific professionals or businesses, the following sources may help you identify local mental health professionals in the area.

• Ask your doctor for a recommendation
• Ask other loss survivors for a recommendation
• Contact your insurance company or behavioral health care organization for a list of mental health care providers covered by your plan
• Contact the Department of Psychiatry at a local university or hospital

Websites with Information for Mental Health Care

Visit the American Psychological Association webpage or call 1-800-964-2000 (Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm ET)

Contact the American Psychiatric Association ([email protected]) or call 888-357-7924 (press 0 to speak with a customer service representative)

Visit the Mental Health America website or call 1-800-969-6642

Visit the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

Visit the Psychology Today Therapist Finder

Visit the HelpPRO Suicide Prevention Therapist Finder

Local Community Mental Health Centers

District of Columbia

1-888-793-4357

Maryland

Montgomery County: (240) 777-1400

Prince George's County: 1-800-888-1965

Virginia

Alexandria City: (703) 746-3400

Arlington County: (703) 228-4864

Fairfax County: (703) 481-4230

Loudoun County: (703) 777-0320

Leesburg: (703) 771-5100

Sterling: (571) 258-3026

Manassas: (703) 792-7800

Woodbridge: (703) 792-4900

National Resources

Nationwide 24-Hour Crisis Line: If you, or someone you know, are ever in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (veterans press 1). Details for how to take advantage of this service in other languages or for those who are deaf/hard of hearing, visit the Lifeline website.