Bonnerup Funeral Service will host a suicide loss and healing event from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The event is sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

According to a press release, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather in their communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of pain and healing. Survivors who have lost a loved one to suicide come together in over 375 locations in 18 countries to help one another reclaim hope and forge bonds that can last a lifetime. This year’s gathering will include a screening of “The Journey: A story of Healing and Hope,” along with the featurette “The Journey Revisited,” in which six of the original “Journey” participants gather three years later to reflect on how their grief and healing journey is evolving.

“Supporting those who have lost someone to suicide is part of our mission at AFSP. We know that support after a suicide leads to healing and can reduce the number of suicides in the overall population,” said Dr. Christine Mountier, AFSP chief medical officer. “I’m thankful we are able to help so many on this day in November.”

For many loss survivors, attending a Survivor Day event is an opportunity to discover they are not alone in their experience of losing someone they know and love to suicide. For those who are unable to attend a Survivor Day event in person, AFSP hosts a Survivor Day program online at survivorday.org. To register for the local program call 507-373-2461 or email judy@bonnerupfuneralservice.com.

This is the fourth year the event is being offered locally. Following the first event, several participants decided they wanted to meet and support each other on a regular basis. Jodi and John Bromeland agreed to facilitate the group, which now meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 S. Washington Ave. in Albert Lea.