Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend?
Alt2Su groups are for people who have struggled with thoughts of suicide and who are attending for their own support. We recommend that anyone attending be 14 years old or older.
We also ask that if you are a friend or family member of someone who’s struggled with thoughts of suicide, and you are attending to explore their experiences, rather than your own, please don’t attend. This applies to observers such as media, students, and providers as well. If you need support around this, though, feel free to contact facilitators at info@alt2su-humboldt.com to explore other options for you.
How is Alternatives to Suicide different from other groups?
Alternatives to Suicide is a peer-led support group where people can talk openly about our struggles without being afraid of interventions happening without our consent.
Many of us, when we’ve talked in other places about killing ourselves, have experienced things like police showing up at our door or forced hospitalizations that discourage us from opening up. In contrast, this group is about sitting with each other’s pain, assuming each person is the expert on what they need, and building connection.
Being a peer-led, mutually held space means that facilitators, like anyone who attends the group, have struggled in many ways, including with thoughts of killing themselves. We don’t report out on who attends the group. Anyone who attends is welcome to ask for what they need, whether it’s to vent, ask for advice, or just to silently witness others. Decision-making power and responsibility for holding space is shared by the whole group, not just facilitators.
What about liability?
In Alternatives to Suicide, we don’t diagnose or treat anyone. We are a peer-based group. Therefore, we cannot be held liable for the actions of individuals who attend group.
If you are a mandated reporter who is legally obligated to report child abuse–
When someone in group says something that concerns you, we recommend that you go directly to the person you’re concerned about and ask them directly, “What do you want me to do with this concern?” Experience from other Alt2Su groups has told us that once you ask more questions, you may find that this concern doesn’t need to be reported after all.
Our group charter states, “All participants agree not to call to involuntary interventions like police, crisis services, people’s family members, or other outside entities about something that’s happened in the group unless there is an act or direct threat of violence to someone in the group.” If you cannot do this because of your status as a mandated reporter, please consider attending a different group for support.
Will I be too much for the group?
You will not be too much. You’re welcome to come to the group just as you are, with whatever topics you want to talk about in mind. We talk about really heavy and painful things sometimes, but it’s not all heavy– we talk about all kinds of things, like cats and languages, too. :-)
What if I need support at times outside of meetings?
Alt2Su is a community that we create together, and that doesn’t end when the group meeting ends! We encourage you to reach out to people you meet in group if you’ve both shared contact information and you’re both okay with it.
Other options include:
Online support groups run by the Wildflower Alliance, who created the Alt2Su approach: https://wildfloweralliance.org/online-support-groups/
Warm lines, where you can chat with someone before reaching crisis:
Kunle Community Warmline for people in Humboldt County, CA, open 6 pm - 12 am Fri-Sun: (707) 599-2381
If I tell you I want to kill myself, will you call 911 on me?
Only if that’s what you want, with your permission. Otherwise, we will not call 911 or other involuntary interventions on you. A huge part of our group is prioritizing consent and assuming that each person is the expert on what is best for themselves. For more info, see our charter and group agreements.
Will I be treated like I’m just being over-dramatic?
In Alt2Su, we connect with each other by being vulnerable with each other, and this includes being open and honest about the pain we feel. We name this as valuable, and we will not judge you or discredit you for sharing your experiences or being “over-dramatic.”
Will I be diagnosed?
No. People who attend the group are peers, not clinicians. We cannot, and don’t want to, diagnose anybody.
Will you shame me for using alcohol, drugs, substances, self-harm, etc. to cope?
No. A value of our group is that we prioritize self-determination and hold space for the many ways that people choose to sit with, cope with, or move through their own experiences, and we don’t judge people for how they choose to do that.
Can family and friends of those who’ve struggled with suicidal thoughts attend?
If you are attending to get support for your own suicidal thoughts around your situation, then yes. Otherwise, no– our charter states that this group is for people experiencing their own thoughts of suicide, who want support for themselves.
If you’re not attending for your own support, there are other support groups that may be a better fit for you. Please note that other groups may not align with Alt2Su values.
NAMI Humboldt - https://www.nami-humboldt.org/htm/Meetings.htm
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention “Find a Support Group”- https://afsp.org/find-a-support-group/