Inspiring Conversations with Michael Vinton of Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Vinton.

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Like many Angelenos, I’m a multi-hyphenate: I am an Actor, an Entrepreneur and an Advocate!
In August of 2020, I lost my brother in a tragedy that would forever alter my life and trajectory. His passing was complicated and complex full of questions that would never be answered. In my grief, I felt alone and isolated from others who lost a loved one to suicide. As I searched for people just like me, the internet came back with very little resources. This was so strange to me, I thought. Surely I can’t be the only one to have lost a loved one to a murder-suicide. After months of agonizing searches, I finally found another loss survivor – who introduced me to another loss survivor and so on until we all met on Zoom officially. Even though it was comforting to find other loss survivors and to share our stories and experiences, it was still shocking to us all that there wasn’t more resources available for our specific type of loss. So, I partnered with two other loss survivors and we created a nonprofit geared to provide compassionate support, survivor-informed education, and meaningful awareness to help survivors of murder-suicide heal, be heard, and find hope.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part of creating a nonprofit by survivors for survivors is navigating our own grief along the way. When we are preparing to speak at a conference or webinar and we’re there to provide not only the data and education, but we share our lived experiences. Helping mental health professionals learn about the needs and struggles of murder-suicide loss survivors is a big mission for us. However, each time we share our individual story, it brings up the sadness and trauma of the event. We’re reminded why we are there, as important as it is, but it can take a toll. Practicing a lot of mindfulness and self care rituals is key to getting through some of the difficult conversations. We have to remind ourselves that we are loss survivors first, friends and advocates.

As you know, we’re big fans of Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide (ISMS) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate support, trauma-informed education, and meaningful awareness to help survivors of murder-suicide heal, be heard, and find hope.
We host monthly support group calls via Zoom, allowing community members to connect with others regardless of where they live. Our peer support sessions are facilitated by fellow survivors, with assistance from a licensed professional counselor and coach who has also experienced this kind of loss. As survivors, we can truly relate to and empathize with each other’s pain.
By participating in these sessions, attendees can expect to:
Share openly in a safe, nonjudgmental environment
Connect with others who understand their pain and struggles
Receive empathy, validation, and encouragement
Learn coping strategies and self-care techniques to navigate grief
Find hope, strength, and solidarity in a community that truly comprehends their loss

All potential group participants must go through a compassionate screening call and be 18 or older and agree to all of our policies and confidentiality statements before joining.

For those who may not feel ready for a group setting, we also offer Comfort Calls—one-on-one Zoom conversations that provide a compassionate and empathetic space to share feelings and receive support.

Additionally, ISMS offers the first-ever grief course designed specifically for murder-suicide loss survivors. This six-week self-paced program provides a compassionate, supportive space to process grief, understand emotions, and begin healing at one’s own pace. The course is currently free or donation-based and is available on our website.

For those who prefer to listen rather than participate in groups, we also created a podcast:
🎙️ Unspoken Grief: Finding Strength in Silent Struggles.
Our podcast shares powerful survivor stories and professional insights—reminding listeners that they are not alone in their journey toward healing and resilience.
If reading is more your style, ISMS also has a blog, featuring articles written by survivors, mental health professionals, and advocates. Whether someone is looking for coping strategies, personal narratives, or expert advice, our blog helps ensure no one has to navigate this kind of grief in isolation.

ISMS provides a First Responders Guide outlining best practices when responding to murder-suicide incidents. We recognize that the trauma of these events affects not only families but also the professionals who arrive on scene.

We also offer a specialized or personal curated list of the few organizations, websites, and books dedicated to supporting the murder-suicide loss individual—bringing light to resources that are often difficult to find. We meet survivors where they are and provide them with the necessary steps for the particular point in their healing journey.

ISMS is in the process of developing more resources for the needs of what survivors might have to cope with or face in the immediate aftermath. For example, hiring a company to clean-up where the incident took place, dealing with dual funerals, what to expect in the police report and how to advocate for your loved one(s) final wishes.

Since forming ISMS, we’ve had the privilege of presenting at Suicide Awareness and Prevention Conferences. Participating in the mental health community, and offering CEUs has allowed us to spread awareness, educate professionals, and share curriculum based on our lived experience.

We’re excited to announce partnerships with two university researchers who are helping us build a more accurate database and deeper understanding of these events. Sharing our stories helps inform prevention and early intervention efforts—saving lives and guiding future change.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Always lead with your heart – no matter what your course of action is, if you believe in your heart that what you are creating is good and important then it will happen. Trust yourself too, you know more than you think. Even if it ends up being the wrong decision or it turns out as a mistake – you will be thankful that you trusted your gut. After all, we’re all only learning as we go. You are the roadmap.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.impactedsurvivors.org
• Instagram: @impactedsurvivors
• Facebook: Impacted Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vinton-6702a373
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unspoken-grief/id1809255374

Image Credits
Professional headshot – photographer: Jonny Marlow