Samaritans Inc. recently announced its collaboration with the Norwood Police Department (NPD)to launch a Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team  in Norwood and other Norfolk County towns. This unique initiative aims to provide local crucial support and resources to individuals and families affected by suicide loss in the community.

The Samaritans LOSS Team is currently seeking compassionate volunteers living in or near Norwood, Canton, Sharon, Westwood, and Walpole to join their ranks. Loss survivor volunteers, who have personally experienced the devastating impact of suicide loss, are encouraged to apply. By sharing their own journey of grief, these volunteers can offer invaluable support and understanding to families navigating similar experiences.

"We believe in the transformative power of community support, and the establishment of the LOSS Team in Norwood and other Norfolk County towns reflects our unwavering commitment to providing solace and healing to those affected by suicide loss. Together, we can offer hope and understanding to individuals and families during their darkest moments,” said Kathleen Marchi, CEO and President of Samaritans.

In addition, the team is seeking community volunteers with expertise in crisis services, including first responders, nurses, EMTs, therapists, and social workers. These dedicated individuals will play a pivotal role in providing immediate assistance and guidance to those affected by suicide loss.

"The Norwood Police Department is honored to partner with Samaritans to introduce the LOSS Team initiative in our community,” Norwood Chief of Police Christopher Padden said. “This collaboration underscores our shared dedication to the well-being of our residents, ensuring that those impacted by suicide loss receive the compassionate support and resources they deserve. Together, we are forging a path toward healing and resilience."

Samaritans, a trusted organization dedicated to suicide prevention and support, is launching this new service for the Sharon community as part of its commitment to suicide grief support. The LOSS Team model, developed by Dr. Frank Campbell in 1997, has been instrumental in eliminating barriers faced by individuals seeking support after a suicide. Dr. Campbell's research highlighted that immediate intervention significantly reduces the time taken by survivors to seek help, from about 4.5 years to just 6 weeks.

After completion of training, volunteers will begin providing support following suicides in Norwood and neighboring communities, including Walpole, Norwood, Westwood, and Canton. Working in collaboration with trained clinicians, the LOSS Team will be on-call and available to respond to suicide losses as needed. Their mission is to offer immediate assistance, whether at the scene or through subsequent meetings with families, providing resources and referrals with the utmost care and empathy.

For those interested in volunteering with the LOSS Team, please contact Samaritans at www.samaritanshope.org/loss.

Samaritans, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based suicide prevention organization that offers free, 24/7 services to all who need them. Each day, Samaritans supports hundreds of people through the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Hey Sam, a peer-to-peer mental health support text line for young people. Samaritans also offers support groups for those grieving a loss to suicide and educational programming so anyone can learn to help those in crisis. Since 1974, Samaritans has answered 3 million calls, texts, and chats; educated 180,000 people to recognize signs of suicide; supported 17,000 suicide loss survivors; and trained 6,500 volunteers to provide compassionate support. Visit samaritanshope.org for more. 

The Norwood Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the town of Norwood, Massachusetts. Committed to professionalism, integrity, and respect, the department strives to enhance the quality of life for all members of the Norwood community. As a cornerstone of public safety in Norwood, the department continually seeks innovative ways to address emerging challenges and enhance services. Through ongoing training, technological advancements, and strategic initiatives, the Norwood Police Department remains steadfast in its mission to serve and protect with excellence and compassion.