International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
This year Saturday 20 November is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day across the globe. The annual awareness day is organised by the American charity the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the day is described as: “an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience”.
The awareness day was originally created in 1999 in the United States Senate. Senator Harry Reid had lost his father to suicide, and introduced the resolution which led to an annual Survivor Day. It always falls on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving (the 4th Thursday in November) as it was felt that holiday times are often particularly difficult for suicide loss survivors.
The awareness day was originally created in 1999 in the United States Senate. Senator Harry Reid had lost his father to suicide, and introduced the resolution which led to an annual Survivor Day. It always falls on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving (the 4th Thursday in November) as it was felt that holiday times are often particularly difficult for suicide loss survivors.
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Bereaved by suicide in Powys
The issue of suicide is as relevant in Powys as it is anywhere else in the world. In June this year the newly appointed Powys Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention Co-ordinator, Jan Roberts, wrote about the three key areas of her work here on our blog. The second key area is: Improving the support available to those bereaved by suicide in Powys with the creation of a new Powys Suicide Bereavement Service.
“The idea is in its early stages, but the intention is that the family or person would be offered practical and emotional support with regular check ins, where they have consented; it’s about checking in and asking what support they need at that particular time. Peer led support is another option being considered in conjunction with the voluntary sector. Health board staff and partners in the voluntary sector are receiving suicide bereavement training to better equip everyone to work together to progress this in Powys.”
For more information on this crucial work, please contact Jan Roberts, Powys Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Co-ordinator, by emailing Jan.Roberts3@wales.nhs.uk
Resources
Public Health Wales has produced a booklet called Help is at Hand for anyone bereaved through suicide or other unexplained death.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide is a self-help organisation which exists to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. The charity has produced a Support after Suicide booklet, also available in Welsh. There are also many other resources for survivors on the charity’s website.
The Support after Suicide Partnership brings together suicide bereavement organisations and people with lived experience, to achieve a vision that everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support. The Partnership has a website with many other downloadable resources.
Papyrus – the charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide – has information on Suicide Bereavement.
Cruse Bereavement Support has a webpage on What you might feel when someone dies by suicide. You can contact Powys Cruse Bereavement by tel: 01686 610220 or email: cruse.powys@btinternet.com
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a website page with Stories of Real Hope.
“The idea is in its early stages, but the intention is that the family or person would be offered practical and emotional support with regular check ins, where they have consented; it’s about checking in and asking what support they need at that particular time. Peer led support is another option being considered in conjunction with the voluntary sector. Health board staff and partners in the voluntary sector are receiving suicide bereavement training to better equip everyone to work together to progress this in Powys.”
For more information on this crucial work, please contact Jan Roberts, Powys Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Co-ordinator, by emailing Jan.Roberts3@wales.nhs.uk
Meanwhile, as Jan progresses work on the new Powys Suicide Bereavement Service it seems appropriate, not just for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day but for any time of year, to flag up some of the resources and services that are currently available to people bereaved by suicide in Powys.
Resources
Public Health Wales has produced a booklet called Help is at Hand for anyone bereaved through suicide or other unexplained death.
The Support after Suicide Partnership brings together suicide bereavement organisations and people with lived experience, to achieve a vision that everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support. The Partnership has a website with many other downloadable resources.
Papyrus – the charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide – has information on Suicide Bereavement.
Cruse Bereavement Support has a webpage on What you might feel when someone dies by suicide. You can contact Powys Cruse Bereavement by tel: 01686 610220 or email: cruse.powys@btinternet.com
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a website page with Stories of Real Hope.
If you are feeling suicidal, or in mental health crisis, there is support:
Samaritans provide a helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tel: 116 123.
C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service in Wales. Anyone concerned about their own mental health, or that of a relative or friend, can access the service.
Telephone helpline: 0800 132 737 or text Help to 81066.
Papyrus Hopeline UK - prevention of young suicide: 0800 068 4141.
If you have further suggestions for help and support for people who have experienced loss by suicide,
then please add in the comments box below.
