Centerstone’s Zero Suicide Groups See Success in Virtual Environment

Zero Suicide Groups See Success in Virtual Environment

Centerstone has seen a remarkable increase in online Zero Suicide support group attendance since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Centerstone’s Zero Suicide Groups help participants learn to change thoughts, feelings, behaviors and events that cause severe emotional distress. Using evidence-based techniques in addition to resources from national suicide prevention expert Ursula Whiteside, the Zero Suicide approach has proven effective in curbing suicidal thoughts and improving management of related struggles. Classes are held weekly for eightweek periods throughout the year.

Susan Seabourn, a Centerstone clinic manager in Nashville, says, “The virtual environment has increased access remarkably. Before COVID, our services were limited to individuals in Davidson County. Since going virtual, we have been able to reach people all around Middle Tennessee, and more people are open to receiving care from us. Even as we transition back to more face-to-face work, we are keeping a virtual option for these groups.”

Year-to-year growth of the groups has increased from 25 to 63 to more than 100 participants. Centerstone now offers six virtual Zero Suicide Groups: two for adults, one for teenagers, an LGBTQIA+ group called “Zero Suicide Pride,” and two ongoing “Lifetime Groups.” While each group has a different target audience, the purpose remains the same: supporting people and helping them build up a stronger desire to live.

Zero Suicide Group client testimonies:

“This group has really helped me so much to feel seen, understood and actually make the progress that I have made within this past year to even get to this point where I’m actually fighting to live. That is something I can never be more grateful for than I am right now.”

“Zero Suicide Group at Centerstone has been a phenomenal experience. Suicidal ideation was my reason for joining, and through skills such as radical acceptance I’ve learned to accept situations and emotions for what they are in the moment.”

“I have taken so much from the group. The support alone is a blessing. I started right before COVID-19, and to still have a support system going through the anxiety of the new normal was awesome.”

“After my first few sessions, I decided to tell my Mom for the first time that I had been having suicidal thoughts. The support from the group motivated me to talk to her, and the skills have helped in making the thoughts go away.” a

For more about Centerstone’s Zero Suicide Groups, call (615) 460-4200 or email WhiteAvenueZeroSuicideGroups@centerstone.org