Opportunity Details

LOSS Team

NAMI Greater Cleveland | https://namigreatercleveland.org/

Position Title: LOSS Team Member

Reports To: Postvention Program Manager

Status: Volunteer

Location: Community-based, On-Call

Position Summary

A LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team Member is a trained volunteer who provides immediate, on-scene support to individuals and families impacted by a suicide death. The LOSS Team acts as a compassionate first response, offering emotional support, resource connection, and hope during a time of intense grief and trauma. Many team members are themselves survivors of suicide loss and offer peer-based support through shared understanding and lived experience. For those who prefer to support the mission without going on-scene, non-scene response roles are also available.

Impact Statement

LOSS Team Members are a vital bridge between tragedy and healing. By showing up in the darkest moments, they offer connection, care, and hope, reminding survivors that they are not alone.

Who Serves on a LOSS Team?

LOSS Teams are comprised of community members committed to supporting those affected by suicide, including:

Suicide Loss Survivors: Individuals who have personally lost a loved one to suicide and wish to use their experience to help others.
Caring Community Volunteers: Individuals with a desire to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to those who have experienced a suicide-related loss.

Key Responsibilities

On-Scene Response

Respond promptly to recent suicides in the community to provide comfort and stabilization to newly bereaved individuals and families
Adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures, Code of Conduct, and LOSS Team protocols.
Respond to team activations, including nights and weekends, by arriving at the designated meeting location within 90 minutes.
Work respectfully with law enforcement, first responders, coroners, and other agencies on the scene to coordinate care and navigate protocols
Offer a calm, compassionate presence, engage in active listening, and support survivors in the earliest hours of loss.
When appropriate, share personal experiences of suicide loss to create connection, reduce isolation, and validate grief
Help individuals navigate systems and advocate for their emotional and practical needs during a time of vulnerability.
Share information and connect survivors with relevant services including suicide loss survivor support groups and other community resources

Non-Scene Response

LOSS Team members are expected to provide ongoing support to individuals and families following the initial on-scene response. This includes:

Making follow-up phone calls
Writing letters and cards
Mailing resources upon request
Participating in remembrance events, community engagement activities, LOSS Team gatherings, and the companioning program

Qualifications

Strong emotional regulation and interpersonal skills
Commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct
Ability to remain calm in high-stress and emotionally intense environments
Access to reliable transportation and phone
Willingness to serve on-call and respond promptly when activated

Commitment & Support

Completion of LOSS Team training and orientation
Attend monthly LOSS Team meetings and quarterly training
Participate in self-care and peer debriefing practices
Support fellow team members and contribute to a collaborative, supportive team culture

Preferred Experience

Previous experience in peer support or crisis response
Leadership experience in direct service or crisis-related setting
Understanding of trauma-informed care and grief support best practices
Lived experience of suicide loss and the ability to draw on that perspective in a peer-support capacity at the scene of a recent suicide

Issue Area(s) Human & Social Services, Faith-Based Service

Population Served Families, Homeless, Immigrants, Refugees or Ethnic Groups, Low-income Communities, Military/Veterans, Offenders/Ex-offenders, People with Disabilities, People with Health-based Concerns, Other, LGBTQ+, Children & Youth, Men, Women, Seniors

Requirements

Age Minimum (with Adult): 21+, Minimum Age:21+

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LOSS Team