New support for Islanders who've lost someone to suicide

Saturday 10 September 2016

Health have published a new online guide to offer support to Islanders who have lost a loved one to suicide.

They say those bereaved by suicide are more likely to experience mental health and emotional problems and may be at higher risk of suicide themselves.

The guide, which you can find here, called 'What to do if someone dies' has been put together with the help of people who have been bereaved by suicide. 

Health hope that by reading about others’ experiences, newly-bereaved people will get some comfort and reassurance that they are not alone, that they can talk about what has happened and that there is support available when they need it. They are using today, World Suicide Prevention Day, to let people know that the support is here.

Head of Health Improvement and Chair of the Prevention of Suicide Steering Group, Martin Knight said: “When somebody takes their own life, it is devastating on many different levels: not just an individual tragedy and a life-altering event for those bereaved, but also traumatic for involved communities and services. These impacts are felt immediately and can be profoundly distressing as well as long-lasting.”

The theme of this year's World Suicide Prevention Day is Connect, Communicate, Care, three words Health say are at the heart of suicide prevention.

Mr Knight said: “For too long, speaking about suicide has been seen as taboo – making sure people can get the support they need is one of the reasons this guide is so important. Dealing with suicide of a loved one is a traumatic experience for anyone and dealing with the consequences of a suicide can be an isolating experience, with people feeling uncomfortable talking about it.

“Sometimes just the reassurance that you’re not alone is so important. I hope this guide is widely used by health professionals and others to help ensure that no one has to go through this incredibly difficult experience alone.”

Last November saw the launch of Jersey’s Prevention of Suicide Framework for Action and since then a steering group has been working to support the prevention of suicide, offering online support to parents and students, developing a multi-agency crisis response plan and giving more training to front-line staff.