When you receive a hug, your brain releases a chemical called oxytocin. This chemical is proven to reduce inflammation in the body, slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and improve your mood.

Hugging for longer than 20 seconds gives your body enough time for your brain to release this chemical. The more often your brain releases this chemical and practices using it, the easier it'll be to handle stress in the future.

More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year. Furthermore, for each suicide, there are more than 20 suicide attempts. Suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts families, friends, colleagues, communities, and societies. Suicides are preventable.

Suicide is messy for all involved. Who better to support survivors than survivors. SLOP gives survivors a place where they can find healing and support.