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Samaritans
Success Story
Gail’s Story
“I killed my partner.”
 Eleven
months ago, those were the words that Gail kept
thinking to herself as she was trying to cope with
loss of her partner of three years to suicide.
“That’s how I felt when I first came to Safe Place.
I had to work through those feelings of guilt,” said
Gail, who sought out support from The Samaritans,
which provides confidential emotional support to any
person who is depressed or suicidal, as well as to
loved ones of suicide victims.
Last October, Gail’s significant other hanged
himself after she had told him that their
relationship was over. Although they had gone to
counseling and tried to work out their problems,
Gail didn’t find out until after the incident that
her partner had Borderline Personality Disorder.
“Many times I’m angry because he had the last word.
I felt that I was totally responsible because I had
bailed out of the relationship,” she said. “But I
come to Safe Place with every emotion and it’s
completely accepted.”
Safe Place, a support group offered by The
Samaritans, provides support for individuals who
have lost loved ones to suicide, giving them an
outlet during their grieving process and allowing
them to share helpful resources.
“At Safe Place, no one ever tells you how to feel or
disputes your emotions,” said Gail. Suicide
survivors participating in Safe Place range from
parents, siblings, significant others, to coworkers
who knew the person for six months. “The stories are
all different, but we’re all survivors whose lives
have been impacted, and we’re all in it together.”
Gail now serves as the facilitator of Safe Place
meetings and a hotline volunteer. She attributes her
ability to help others to the encouragement and
support that she received at The Samaritans. “Safe
Place comforted me and led me to a higher place that
now allows me to be a comforter,” she said. “When
I’m speaking with a suicide survivor, I can truly
say I know how you feel. I understand.” |
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