Support Groups

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Fran Smith I Am Hope

"Because I can see how our support group members follow the coping strategies to bring more understanding and balance to how they support their loved ones with mental illness."
Fran Smith

Start New KSF Support Group

We welcome the opportunity to expand the KSF mission across the United States and we are looking for people willing to start and facilitate a group. This can be a rewarding experience for you and more importantly can provide a helpful resource for people coping with mental health problems or suicide grief.

KSF will help get your group started and we will provide coaching and support as your group grows.

KSF ROLE

  • Provide initial training for the facilitators of the group
  • Provide a facilitator’s manual containing the policies, procedures, and guidelines for conducting a KSF support group
  • Copies of the book A Balanced Life for your support group members. Each new member receives a copy of the book at no cost.
  • Suitable materials for groups of people who lost a loved one to suicide
  • On-going support for issues related to the operation of the group
  • Offer suggestions for marketing the group and initial funding for this marketing
  • Provide a monthly call with all other KSF support group leaders to offer advice and lessons learned
  • Create a website page specific to your group at www.KarlaSmithFoundation.org to market and promote your group
  • Provide a flyer to help you market the group at local businesses, libraries, places of employment, churches, community centers, doctors offices, and hospitals
  • Provide a KSF email address for the support group facilitator


YOUR ROLE

  • Contact KSF with your interest in starting a group. You do not need to become the facilitator of the group but you need to be able to find a facilitator.
  • Two trained facilitators for each group is preferred
  • Along with the facilitators, receive a commitment from 3 or more people to attend the group prior to starting meetings
  • Groups meet bi-monthly, at the same time and location, for 90 minutes
  • Continue to market for more participants in your area
  • Track group attendance and promote the programs of KSF
  • Participate in monthly feedback calls to KSF leadership


Please complete this form if you are interested in starting a group in your area. Thank you for expanding the mission of KSF.
 


 

We admire you all so much for the way you have turned your own grief into hope for an ever growing number of families. It's testimony to the enormous good that can be accomplished by just a few.”
Ginny Lucido, O'Fallon, IL.

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