Postvention Training

On behalf of the SAM Foundation, I am writing to invite you and members of your organization to participate in an upcoming Alabama Postvention Training Program to be held in Fort Payne. Postvention refers to the strategies, services, and support systems activated after a suicide has occurred within a community. This two-day, in-person training will be conducted in partnership with the nationally recognized NAMI Connect Program, an evidence-based initiative that has been successfully implemented in more than 40 states.

Suicide loss has a profound and lasting impact on communities, particularly those that are close-knit. The grief and trauma following a suicide often ripple through families, schools, workplaces, faith communities, and public service organizations. Research shows that knowing someone who has died by suicide is one of the highest risk factors for suicide, making postvention a critical component of prevention efforts.

The Connect Postvention Training equips community helpers with the tools to respond in a coordinated, compassionate, and effective way following a suicide loss. This program goes beyond traditional training by fostering collaboration, strengthening relationships among local service providers, and encouraging the sharing of resources. Prior to the training, Connect staff will work closely with the SAM Foundation to incorporate local resources and plan for long-term sustainability.

We are inviting participation from community stakeholders who regularly interact with individuals at risk, including educators, mental health professionals, first responders, healthcare workers, faith leaders, and nonprofit organizations. By bringing these groups together, we aim to strengthen our collective response, support healing, and reduce future risk within our community. We believe this training will meaningfully improve the mental health and wellbeing of Fort Payne and the surrounding area—and ultimately help save lives.

This training will be offered April 20-21 at the Fort Payne City Auditorium. All community members are invited to attend the first day of training, and organizational leaders are encouraged to attend the second day resource building workshop. I

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community.