Probably not

Hi Patricia,

Great question!

Most people who come to a Death Cafe are looking to talk about death and are able to do so calmly and frequently joyfully. Sometimes people get a bit sad and it may be good to have some tissues available.

Occasionally vulnerable people attend, or people who don't understand what a Death Cafe is. This is very rare as far as I am aware.

In these cases it is a good idea to have a knowledge of local and national services, such as those providing bereavement and emotional support.

In the Death Cafes I have run there has never been an situation needing a counselor. In fact we've only ever used the tissues once!

Posted by Jon Underwood

Not Necessary

Hi Patricia, I agree with what Jon has said. We have had 5 Denver Death Cafes so far and there is always more laughter than tears. I explain right up front that a Death Cafe is not grief counseling or for the recently bereaved. I do have a list of Grief Resources that I carry with me, but no one at a Death Cafe has ever asked for that. Good luck with your first one and if you have any questions or concerns at all, feel free to call or email me.

Posted by Anita Larson

maybe yes

I have had people who were suicidal and/or those with traumatic loss come to events. I agree, its not often, but often enough for me to say proceed with caution if you do not have training. Death Cafes are not counseling events but it is helpful to have someone with clinical background co-facilitating. You are the one who will have to handle the situation. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Posted by Lizzy Miles

Yes, Kim, if you are willing to share the protocol, I would also be grateful! Here in Flagstaff conversation about suicide has come up a couple of times (mostly as related to physician assisted death). I have wondered if this is coming up for others and/or if anyone has encountered folks who are intending or musing about that. Thank you all for this conversation.

Posted by aleia@furthershore.org

Protocol for suicidal ideation

Kim & all - I agree that having a proactive response is best (echoing Lizzy). Could you post what you wrote up?

Posted by TRVevia

Kim Mooney

I agree with Lizzy. We always try to have two facilitators in case someone needs some one-on-one. (We are a coalition of 6 different groups/people that puts these on throughout the county). But recently our County Senior Services contacted ME! (not the other way around) about wanting to list us on their website and asked what we had in place in case someone with suicidal thoughts showed up. While it was easy to reiterate that we doubted it would happen or be a problem, I did draft up a short protocol for our facilitators based on the questions anyone should ask about imminent suicidal ideation and we'll just keep them in our pocket in case the need ever arises. That proactive response was enough to get us listed on our County website as a senior resource/activity!

Posted by kimmooney

Wow. Kim, would you be willing to share that protocol? I'm just learning more indepth about D.C.s and would appreciate all the pointers!

Posted by Claire

Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I to find It truly helpful & it helped me out much. I'm hoping to present something again and help others such as you helped me.

Posted by Omer