Alternatives to Suicide (A2su) is a peer-based response to supporting people who have made suicidal attempts or who have experienced suicidal thoughts. The approach was developed in 2008 by the Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community (USA – now called The Wildflower Alliance). This peer-to-peer practice consists of mutual support groups that provide a space for voicing, sitting with, understanding, and moving through suicidal thoughts.
A2su groups are for anyone 18+ years old with personal experiences of suicidal thoughts or actions to talk about suicidal experiences and other forms of emotional distress without fear of being put through a crisis management system.
ELW Support Group: "Life-threatening Despair Survivors" (Our Programs)
“The goal is not to simply force someone to stay alive from moment to moment. Rather, it is to support them to create meaning and a life that they want to live. Not killing one’s self is simply a side-effect of all that…”
Dedicated to the Memory of Josi Stewart
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.