Bereaved By Suicide

On this page you will find support and resources to help cope with bereavement by suicide. These services are there to help you and you can also make contact if you are concerned about someone else.

Help is at Hand

The Help is at Hand Booklet booklet provides support after someone may have died by suicide in Northern Ireland.

Help for Suicidal Thoughts

Sometimes people who have been bereaved by suicide may have suicidal thoughts themselves. It’s important to talk to someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Please see links below for support:

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ Call: 116 123 Available 24 hours

Lifeline | Lifeline Helpline: https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/ Call: 0808 808 8000 Available 24 hours

Help for suicidal thoughts – NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/

Concerned About Someone Else

Concerned about suicide?| HSC Public Health Agency :https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/concerned-about-suicide-0

Comkit – To Protect Life: https://comkit.info/

Free online training from Zero Suicide Alliance: https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/training

Bereavement by Suicide

Please click on the links below for services within each Health and Social Care Trust area

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

The Northern HSC Trust provide services to anyone 18 years and over bereaved by suicide that works or resides within the Northern Trust.

https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/bereaved-by-suicide/

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/bereavement/bereaved-by-suicide-service/

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

South Eastern HSC Trust provide counselling support through New Life Counselling.

https://setrust.hscni.net/service/bereavement-care/

Southern Health and Social Care Trust

Southern HSC Trust Protect Life Co-Ordinator makes initial contact with families bereaved through suicide and co-ordinates follow-on support.

https://southerntrust.hscni.net/your-health/health-improvement/protecting-your-mental-health/about-protect-life-the-ni-suicide-prevention-strategy/

Pips also offer bereavement support in the Southern locality through a bereavement support group:

https://www.pipshopeandsupport.org/bereavement-support

Western Health and Social Care Trust

Western Trust Family Liaison Service – Supporting families bereaved by suicide: https://westerntrust.hscni.net/service/family-liaison-service/

Western Trust Concerned about Suicide: https://westerntrust.hscni.net/health-and-wellbeing/emotional-health-and-wellbeing/concerned-about-suicide/

Safe Harbour

An illustrated storybook for children who have been bereaved by suicide. It has been developed by bereavement experts- including professionals and people with lived experience – to help a child with their grief by encouraging conversation and developing their understanding of death and suicide https://www.childhoodbereavement.ie/safeharbour/

Barnardo’s Child Bereavement Service

Barnardo’s Child Bereavement Service provides specialist bereavement care in the postvention field to children, young people and their parents/carers following a death by suicide, murder-suicide (or similar tragic and traumatic circumstance) The service caters for children from the age of 4-18years.

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/child-bereavement-service-general

Lighthouse

Lighthouse provides a range of services designed to support individuals who have been bereaved by suicide:

One to one Bereavement Support – a postvention service soley focused on provision of emotional support to individuals whose main issue is suicidal grief.

Complementary Therapy – a non talking service which aims to reduce stress and tension and aid self care.

Suicidal Bereavement Support Group – a facilitated group which offers those bereaved by suicide to meet others, share experiences, feelings, education on grief and self care.

https://lighthousecharity.com/support/self-referral/suicide-bereavement-support-service

Rural Support / Life Beyond

New Loss and Bereavement Service for Farm Families in Northern Ireland

https://www.ruralsupport.org.uk/life-beyond-new-loss-and-bereavement-service-for-farm-families-in-northern-ireland/

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide have a range of resources.

https://uksobs.org/resources-for-survivors/

Support After Suicide Partnership

Support after suicide partnership has been developed with the help of both individuals with experience of suicide and professional bereavement organisations so you can explore practical information and find emotional support if you have been impacted by suicide.

https://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/

Families’ Voices Forum

Representing those bereaved by suicide to government and decision makers. Focusing on critical areas that will bring about the greatest improvement and change in services and hope for those bereaved by suicide.

https://www.dhcni.com/families-voices