Grief Support by People Who Get It

Support that meets you where you are

Peer grief support is not therapy. It is not counseling. It is people who have experienced the same kind of devastating loss offering compassionate, trained support to others who are going through it now.

Through a partnership between SADOD and The Sun Will Rise Foundation, we offer several forms of peer grief support:

Direct connection — Reach out by email or phone and talk to a real person who understands. Whether you need information, support, or just want to hear from someone who has been there, we will respond. Reach out →

Peer grief support groups — Ongoing groups where grievers meet regularly in a safe, facilitated space to share their experiences, listen to others, and find they are not alone. Learn about our groups →

One-on-one peer support — For people who want more individualized, ongoing support from a trained peer grief helper. Connect with us →

Whole-person recovery pathways — Grief affects every part of your life. We share approaches and resources that support your wellbeing as a whole person — body, mind, relationships, and spirit. Explore pathways →

Carefully chosen resources — Guides, readings, and tools selected specifically for people navigating grief in recovery. Browse resources →

Every staff person and volunteer who offers direct support has personally experienced the death of someone they love from a drug- or alcohol-related cause. They are trained in the peer grief support model, and they treat every griever as a unique individual.

The RIVER model

Peer grief support is mutual aid that takes place in a safe space. It works because the helper's own experience of loss is their foundation — not a textbook, not a credential, but a shared understanding of what this kind of grief feels like.

Our peer grief helpers are guided by five core principles:

Healing in this model is a two-way street. The peer grief helper is not above or apart from the griever — they are alongside them. This is what makes peer support different from clinical care, and it is what makes it powerful.