The group, which is unique in its kind in the county according to official sources, was started by Anneli Jalmberger in the autumn of 2024. Jalmberger's son Max took his own life a year earlier, and another participant, Sanna Burtsov, lost her 21-year-old son to suicide a year ago, providing personal motivation for the initiative. Meetings take place every other Monday at Vallby parish hall outside Eskilstuna, where between five and ten people gather at each occasion.
Interest and participant numbers have grown over time, and the format is praised by participants, with Burtsov describing it as extremely important and meaningful, according to SVT Sörmland. SPES offers support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide, including chat support on Wednesdays and Sundays from 18:30 to 20:00. The specific support activities or topics discussed in the group meetings, the number of participants who have joined since the group started, and any plans to expand or replicate this model in other counties remain unknown.
Extremely important. It means a lot.