Why L.O.S.S. team members for suicide postvention are needed in Texoma

DENISON, Texas (KXII) - L.O.S.S. stands for "local outreach to suicide survivors", a resource the Texoma region has gone far too long without.

In 1998, Dr. Frank Campbell of Baton Rouge, LA developed the L.O.S.S. team model after realizing the average person takes 4.5 years to seek help after losing someone to suicide. Tim Millerick, Texoma Behavioral Health Executive Director, says this resource can is a necessity in North Texas and Southeastern Oklahoma.

"In the Texoma area, there's unfortunately a high rate of suicide and we learned of this opportunity going on across the state and we brought it to Texoma," said Millerick.

Michelle Lemming, CEO & President of the Texoma Health Foundation, LOSS teams are few but not too far from Grayson county.

"Collin county has done this and Cook county has done this," said Lemming. "And so we'll really be looking at those existing models and figuring out what makes the most sense for our population."

Those who have suffered a loss to suicide may hold onto guilt or shame for not being able to intervene, this is a heavy weight to bear.

"The closer you are to that loss, your risk is higher," said Lemming. "And it makes sense because you're going through an incredibly difficult grieving process."

Aileen Hays, a coordinator of counseling services for Sherman ISD, is one of many local leaders who are being trained to support those in need.

"We see more and more students who have thoughts of hurting themselves, thoughts of suicide, and so we really work to prevent and support but the LOSS team is a different kind of support," said Hays.

Research shows that there's a significant reduction in others wanting to commit suicide when a LOSS team follows up with support.

LOSS team members offer support at the scene or shortly after the incident. Options for clean-up assistance are offered if need be. These team members are those who have personally been impacted by a suicide loss.

"Even though we're growing, we're rural," said Millerick. "And the number of licensed professional counselors are not as high as in other areas. The whole access to care and the process of getting mental health support is a challenge."

To learn more about LOSS team postvention , visit the official website for research and local efforts to support those who've been affected by suicide.