Survivor Cadres

A 501(c)(3) non-profit

THE STORY & MISSION

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A new way to disrupt suicide and save lives,

by harnessing the power of Survivors.

People who've survived their struggle with suicide are a powerful asset in the fight against it. We rally these Survivors together, in communal support and peer-to-peer engagement groups. When they gather to tell their stories, share lessons learned, and explore What Worked, they can become something profound: a lifeline for current sufferers.

“Something needs to be done. And if it doesn’t start with survivors — the people who’ve felt the impact of suicide — then I don’t know where it’s going to start."

- Carol Myers, whose son, a National Guard soldier, took his own life

So I rally Survivors together, in communal support and peer-to-peer engagement groups.

lessons learned, and explore What Worked,

We're lifting the voices of Survivors and putting them center stage, because when they talk candidly about their struggles and breakthroughs (in public forums, or in private AA-type settings) they:

We're lifting the voices of Survivors and putting them center stage. Survivor Cadres are peer-to-peer engagement groups. They can be local and anonymous, like AA. Or they can be public.

We lift the voices of Survivors and put them center stage.

Origin story

Struggling? Check out these videos.

The Origin Story

1. I wrote a book with my friend about his wars overseas and his battle with suicidal despair back home.

2. We noticed that the book was having a positive effect on people contemplating suicide: in some cases, it was helping them decide not to.

3. The reason the book has this effect is because Jimmy was a member of the tier-one SEAL team… and yet he admits his shame and brokenness. Sufferers realize that if a guy like Jimmy can openly talk about his depression and pain, then they can, too.

4. I call it The Survivor Effect. Because Jimmy is a suicide Survivor, sufferers trust him. He gives them permission to come out of isolation and talk. He shows them it’s not shameful to admit their pain. There is no stigma. And this saves lives. Because fear of stigma kills.

5. People took notice of this healing Survivor Effect.

6. People took notice of this healing Survivor Effect (cont.)

7. So I decided to reproduce and amplify the Survivor Effect by creating a new anti-suicide venture.

8. The Mission.

9. Getting the word out. At this particular event, I am eloquently explaining that admitting your pain is a new kind of courage, a new kind of resilience. However, Jimmy is paying attention to his beloved dog instead of me.