Postvention Support
Postvention is prevention, and we’re here to help.
Postvention is an organized immediate response in the aftermath of a suicide to promote healing and mitigate the negative effects of exposure to suicide.
When a person dies by suicide, many others are deeply affected:
One study estimated that 115 people are exposed to each suicide, with 1 in 5 reporting that this experience had a devastating impact or caused a major life disruption.
Everyone grieves differently. Some people may experience short-term physical and emotional reactions, while others may have long-term responses.
Exposure to suicide can lead to an array of negative outcomes, including mental health issues, social isolation, and an increased risk of suicide.
Suicide Postvention Services are often by StarVista Crisis Center and are free of charge to the community with the following goals:
1. Reduce suicide risk among the impacted community following a suicide death.
2. Promote healthy grieving and connect those in need with resources.
3. Transition from suicide postvention to prevention.
Our Services
Schools
Crisis Counselors assist in a coordinated response, grief support, parent and student education, and staff crisis counseling following a student or administrator death by suicide in partnership with San Mateo County Office of Education.
Workplaces
Crisis Counselors assist in navigating best practice messaging, on-site grief support, staff crisis counseling, and connection to longer-term resources for workplaces experiencing a loss by suicide.
Individual Follow-Up Support
StarVista Crisis Center offers regularly scheduled follow-ups by phone following a suicide loss to help connect an individual to services and ensure they know they are not alone.