Suicide Survivor Support in Kansas City

About SASS: Who We Are

Our Mission

To promote healing by providing a network of support in the aftermath of suicide

Suicide Awareness Survivors Support (SASS-MoKan) is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2005 by Bonnie and Mickey Swade to assist Kansas City area support groups by providing them with resources, education and financial support.

SASS-MoKan was an outgrowth of Bonnie and Mickey Swade’s loss of their oldest son Brett, age 31, to suicide in 2003. Although Brett had suffered with substance and alcohol abuse problems, his death was an unexpected shock. When their Rabbi asked Bonnie and Mickey if they wanted people to know how he passed, they said yes. The idea that “suicide is everyone’s business” has always been the position that SASS takes.

After their loss, friendships and relationships changed, as people struggled to deal with Brett’s suicide, but they found support from others who had experienced a suicide loss. There were very few options for support groups at the time, and Bonnie was determined to make something positive out of Brett’s death.

She started her own support group and eventually, a 501c3 nonprofit organization to raise funds for support groups throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Learn more about the work of SASS MO-KAN and how you can support our mission.

All funds stay local and directly support suicide awareness and survivors.

Support Groups

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Awards and Affiliations

Members of the Association of Suicidology

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Members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

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Members of the Johnson County Suicide Coalition

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Members of SPEAK UP

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Training Certified

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2006 NAMI Award for Suicide Awareness Family Award

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The journey to healing requires all of us. Start today.

Support Groups

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