Families Who Have Lost a Loved One to Military Suicide Gather in Phoenix to Find
Hope, Healing and Connection
TAPS event to welcome hundreds of spouses, parents, children, siblings and battle buddies grieving the death of a service member
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 3, 2017
ARLINGTON, Va. -– The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) will welcome surviving parents, spouses, children, siblings and others grieving the death of a military loved one by suicide to its ninth annual TAPS National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp in Phoenix. To be held Oct. 6-8 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, the event will focus on providing support to surviving families as they share their stories of loss, connect with each other and find hope.
“The grief that follows a suicide loss is uniquely complicated, and it’s important for those who have lost a military loved one to suicide to connect with others who are experiencing a similar journey,” said Kim Ruocco, Vice President of Suicide Prevention and Postvention at TAPS. “Families need to know they are not alone, and they will come from across the country to learn more about how to cope with their loss, honor their loved one and find hope and healing together.”
The seminar, which will include nearly 1,000 adults and children, military mentors and professionals in the field of suicidology, will include a TAPS Good Grief Camp for children, where children grieving the death of a parent or sibling will learn coping strategies and meet others who have experienced a similar loss. During the camp, they are paired one-on-one with military mentors, active duty service members, Reserve or recently separated veterans.
ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 70,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).
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Media Opportunities – Oct. 6-8, 2017 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 North 7th Street, Phoenix. Please note not all activities will be able to be filmed at all times.
Note: Media Credentials Required
To cover any part of the seminar, contact Christine Fuentes by email at christine.fuentes@taps.org or call (540) 219-5636. Media covering this event should be familiar with safe messaging guidelines surrounding reporting on suicide, or may access the TAPS webinar, Reporting and Messaging on Suicide in the Military to learn more.
Friday, Oct. 6
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Meet the Families of the Fallen, Talk with Experts in Military Loss -Interviews available with TAPS experts; families will begin checking in at 3 p.m. Also, visit the TAPS Garden of Hope, where participants are adding the photos of their loved ones to the Garden Wall.
6 to 8:15 p.m. - Good Grief Camp Zone - Get footage of children of the fallen as they connect through games and activities.
Saturday, Oct. 7
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Artful Grief Art Studio - Drop in on our art therapy studio and see how healing art can be.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Meet the Families of the Fallen, Talk with Experts in Military Loss -Interviews available. Also, visit the TAPS Garden of Hope, where participants are adding the photos of their loved ones to the Garden Wall.
9:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. - TAPS Good Grief Camp - Children and teens engage in interactive activities on coping with military loss and trauma.
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Opening Session and Welcoming Remarks - Join surviving military family members as they listen to remarks from TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll, Vice President for Suicide Prevention and Postvention Kim Ruocco and expert in the field of suicidology Dr. Frank Campbell.
Sunday, Oct. 8
8 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Meet the Families of the Fallen, Talk with Experts in Military Loss -Interviews available. Also, visit the TAPS Garden of Hope, where participants are adding the photos of their loved ones to the Garden Wall.
8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. - TAPS Good Grief Camp - Children and teens engage in interactive activities on coping with military loss and trauma. A closing ceremony with parents will be held from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Artful Grief Art Studio - Get photos and video as surviving families learn how healing art can be.
6 to 8 p.m. – TAPS Family Dinner.