Suicide survivors are the people who are left behind. They are the grievers, South Coast Hospice's Steve Krajcir says.

In an effort to help survivors cope, hospice is hosting a Webcast on Saturday, Nov. 20, as part of the sixth-annual National Survivors of Suicide Day.

The program will feature a panel of therapists, who are survivors themselves, talking about the types of suicide prevention plans, workshops and training out there to help people. There also will be a panel discussion on surviving suicide loss. The event will be from 8:30 to noon, including the 1 1/2-hour broadcast followed by a potluck lunch and mingling time, at the hospice Bereavement Center, 1620 Thompson Road in Coos Bay.

"Typically for survivors, the guilt is terrible," Krajcir said, the agency's manager of family services who works with the people grieving, from small children up to other family members and friends affected by someone's suicide.

There is still a stigma attached to suicide and survivors can really suffer, he added.

Hospice established a suicide survivors support group earlier this year. Krajcir said people had requested such a group and following the suicide of a local high school student, hospice worked with families to get one going.

"The emotional charge is incredible. You can get so far with your therapist, but you just can't say enough of getting together with other folks who are hurting and healing," he said of the support group.

For more information about the Webcast or support group meeting times, those interested can call hospice at 269-2986.