From Loss to Support: Establishing Lemon Aid Suicide Postvention in Kansas

Body of Abstract: Individuals who have experienced loss through suicide suffer from a variety of traumas and challenges, leaving them at an increased risk of acting on suicidal thoughts themselves. Even in light of this research, the continuum of care and support is often limited, failing to meet their needs immediately following- and as they settle into life after their loss. While past and present awareness campaigns have encouraged individuals within these demographics to seek support, such as support groups and therapy, such generalized campaigns cannot address some of the very real and devastating effects of such loss.

Six Feet Over, a Michigan-based nonprofit, has focused on a more novel approach creating a more solid foundation for loss survivors, encouraging post traumatic growth and healing with help with their program Lemon Aid. Acknowledging that traditional activities and services meet many needs for survivors, and thus, have become the status quo, Six Feet Over also recognizes that survivors are often met with untold barriers in accessing such services. As such, Lemon Aid’s objective in post-care and postvention is not to usher communities into such activities, but instead, giving survivors the ability to see outside of their immediate needs, relieving them of the most pressing concerns, and subsequently walking alongside them as they navigate their journey of grieving.

With an appropriate understanding of the need for such programming, the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) partnered with Six Feet Over’s Lemon Aid program to bring these much-needed services to all of the bereaved suicide loss survivors across the state. Through qualitative and quantitative data, this talk will show the impact postvention can have when integrated into the state’s existing suicide prevention infrastructure. By incorporating direct outreach, emotional support, and connection to vital resources, survivors are provided a framework for healing. Data indicates that the intervention can reduce feelings of isolation, improve coping mechanisms, and provide a foundation for long-term mental health stability. The partnership demonstrates how tailored postvention efforts not only help those in immediate crisis but also contribute to systemic prevention by breaking cycles of trauma and loss.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the Need for Suicide Postvention Programs
• Examine the Impact of Lemon Aid on Suicide Loss Survivors in Kansas
• Explore the Collaborative Efforts of KDADS and Six Feet Over