Through a new partnership with MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, No More Silence Massachusetts, an area nonprofit that offers support to anyone affected by suicide loss, is changing the location of its meetings and expanding services.
Support group meetings offered by No More Silence Massachusetts include a new group for attempt survivors that will begin meeting the third Wednesday of the month starting in August from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the new location of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, 1233 Main Street. Earlier this month, the nonprofit moved its Suicide Loss Survivor Group, which meets twice a month – on the second and fourth Wednesday from 6:30pm to 7:30p.m. – to MiraVista Behavioral Health Center.
Terri Tracy and her husband Daniel founded No More Silence Massachusetts as suicide loss survivors. Each of the Tracy’s had brothers who died by suicide – Dan’s brother Thom in 2007 at age 40, and Terri’s brother Tommy in 2013 at age 42. The origin of the couple’s nonprofit began with a team participating in a community walk for suicide awareness.
“We started as just a fundraiser and then, in June 2017, held our own motorcycle run and decided, on the basis of that event’s impact, to move forward and become a nonprofit,” Terri Tracy said. “We have grown by offering support groups, an annual family fun day and such services as the opportunity for the name of the loved one to be written on a banner we display at events.”
She added the name of the organization reflects its mission “to be loud and not silent about suicide loss and suicide awareness.”
“We started the nonprofit in both of our brothers’ memories because we wanted to help even one person who has experienced this type of loss,” Tracy said. “Our goal is that others know they are not alone and that people do understand. We saw the difference No More Silence Massachusetts made early on and that has just fueled us to continue.”
She cited the newest meeting group as evidence of the couple’s commitment to helping survivors feel recognized and supported.
“Our Suicide Attempt Survivors Group will offer support to those who have made a suicide attempt at least two years ago and are 21 years of age or older,” Tracy said.
The most recent government data indicates that in 2021 there was an estimated 1.70 million suicide attempts in the United States. A suicide attempt is regarded in such data as a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior.
Tracy called the decision to hold meetings at MiraVista, instead of at an area library, a “good choice” that “aligns with our needs and is a great secure location.”
“People come together and talk with each other more openly because they are surrounded by those who truly understand the type of loss experienced,” Tracy said. “Although everyone’s story is different and unique to them, the common factor is the loss to suicide.”
She added that founding No More Silence Massachusetts has made her and her husband “both realize that our stories can help someone else, as well as realizing that others understand what we go through and are not alone.”
It is estimated that 115 people are exposed to each suicide and that 1 in 5 report a significant impact or disruption to their life as a result. Decades of research has shown that survivors of suicide loss need to be actively supported in the communities where they live to heal, as do those at high risk for suicide in the aftermath of a loved one’s death by suicide, and those who have attempted suicide need access to resources to help them heal mentally and physically.
“We are very pleased to have No More Silence Massachusetts support groups meet at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center,” said Kimberley Lee, MiraVista’s Chief of Creative Strategy and Development. “As a provider of services to those affected by mental health and substance use conditions, we know the importance of treatment and support for those seeking it. No More Silence Massachusetts provides comfort to those who have experienced suicide loss or attempted suicide in a setting where they can share their stories and know they are not alone on their journey of recovery.”
No More Silence Massachusetts meeting dates and times are:
One-on-One Comfort Talks – Individual meetings the 1st Wednesday of the month beginning in August from 6:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, 1233 Main Street, Holyoke.
Suicide Attempt Survivors Group – Meetings the 3rd Wednesday of the month beginning in August from 6:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, 1233 Main Street, Holyoke
Suicide Loss Survivor Group – Meetings the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month beginning in July from 6:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, 1233 Main Street Holyoke.
The nonprofit’s Sixth Annual No More Silence Motorcycle Run that benefits the organization is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, from the Elks Lodge, 69 Chapin St., Ludlow.
For more information on that event as well as on the support groups call (413) 218-5883 or (413) 505-6242; visit https://www.nomoresilencemassachusetts.org/ or email nmsinfo@nomoresilencemassachusetts.org
The nonprofit is also on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreSilenceMassachusetts
For more information on MiraVista, visit https://www.miravistabhc.care/ For other resources, visit https://masspreventssuicide.org/loss-survivors/ and https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4419.pdf
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline is a confidential, national hotline that people in distress or seeking resources can call, text or online chat at any time.
MiraVista Behavioral Health Center opened in April of 2021 on the grounds of the former Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke, Mass. MiraVista offers psychiatric care
services for both adults and adolescents, as well as an array of recovery rehabilitation programs including outpatient services such as substance use individual and group counseling, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), court-ordered services, and outpatient Medication Supported Recovery and Massachusetts Impaired Driving programs.
Through the lens of Care Reimagined, MiraVista cares for thousands of individuals from across New England. MiraVista’s purpose is to provide effective, inspiring care for those challenged by mental health and substance use so they are empowered to lead fulfilling lives.