SURVIVOR DAY DINNER 2025
Bryce River Foundation to Host Second Survivor Day Dinner
Free community gathering for survivors of suicide loss to provide connection and hope ahead of the holiday season
The Bryce River Foundation will host its second Survivor Day Dinner, a special evening dedicated to supporting individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide. The free event will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at SOWELA's Culinary, Gaming, & Hospitality Center, located at 3841 Sen J Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70615. Doors will open at 6:00 PM, with the program beginning at 7:00 PM.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, commonly referred to as Survivor Day, is an annual event dedicated to healing and support for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. It is observed on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and provides a space for survivors to connect with others who share similar experiences.
The Survivor Day Dinner addresses a crucial gap in support for those mourning a suicide loss by creating a warm, safe environment where survivors can step out of isolation and engage with others who truly understand their unique grief journey. This gathering becomes especially significant as it occurs during the holiday season—a time when grief often feels most intense and hope can seem far away.
"Through my own journey as a loss survivor, I have witnessed firsthand how vulnerable those who have lost loved ones to suicide can be, and how limited the resources are for supporting their unique grief journey," said Scott Waldrop, executive director of the Bryce River Foundation. "By bringing survivors together to share a meal and hear words of encouragement, we aim to foster a supportive community where struggles can be shared openly and healing can begin to flourish."
This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Rosalynn Thyssen, an assistant professor of nursing at Southern University. Dr. Thyssen lost her 13-year-old son Traeh to suicide in 2019 and has since become a passionate advocate for suicide awareness and prevention through her organization, the Traeh Thyssen Have a Heart Foundation. Her foundation focuses on preventative measures for youth suicide and has brought Hope Talks, bullying, and suicide awareness events to Southern University to make students aware of services and resources.
"Having to live through and experience having your child die from suicide… you're reminded of it every day," Dr. Thyssen shared. "I wanted to have a real conversation because people don't talk about the aftermath or echoing effects that it has on family, friends … and the forever void that's there."
Attendance is free and open to all suicide loss survivors in the community. To reserve your seat, visit https://www.bryceriverfoundation.org/survivor-day and register now. For more information about the Survivor Day Dinner, email info@bryceriverfoundation.org.