Metro Area LOSS Team Monthly Update

This month we had record attendance at our monthly meeting, which gave us a great opportunity to discuss as a group the direction of the team. We talked about some of the challenges we have been facing and came up with some solutions and possible alternatives.

This discussion was great way to learn more about what our members’ visions are for the team and about how they think our team would be most effective in providing emotional support to survivors, as well as assisting law enforcement with guiding the family through the initial crisis. The mere shock of a loved one’s suicide makes it difficult to breathe, let alone make decisions on organ donation, understanding the standard police investigation process, or beginning to plan the funeral. These are all tasks that the Metro Area LOSS Team could be able to assist the community in.

In addition, many of our members made it clear that being able to connect with survivors in the days and weeks following the loss, is where their hearts lay. Having the opportunity to share their own stories of loss, grief, and hope, is their way to keep their own loved one’s memories alive. One of our survivors, who lost her son Cameron in 2012, said that reason she is a part of the LOSS Team is to prove her son wrong.

“He always said that he didn’t feel like he had a purpose,” said Mindy Eggert. “I am doing this to give him and his memory a purpose that will live on forever through me and hopefully others.”

I am so honored to be able to work alongside Mindy and over a dozen other suicide survivors who have used their loss to help inspire and support others.

Thank you to ALL of our amazing volunteers!

Our 24/7 LOSS phone is to be used only by Sheriffs, Chaplains, and any other first responders responding to a suicide call. It is not a suicide prevention hotline. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call 1(800)273-TALK (8255) or 911 if it is an emergency. If you or someone you know has recently lost someone to suicide and would like to schedule a meeting with the on-call LOSS team, please contact The Kim Foundation at (402)891-6911.

Jill Hamilton, Project Coordinator, The Kim Foundation

Jill Hamilton has been the Project Coordinator at The Kim Foundation since 2014. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from The University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2009. Since working at the foundation, she has become an active member of the Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition, Nebraska LOSS Advisory Committee, The Omaha Metro Hoarding Taskforce, The Early Childhood Mental Health Coalition, Nebraska State Conference Planning Committee; she is a volunteer mentor with Y.E.S., and serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Metro Area LOSS Team.