Support for those bereaved by suicide

The project aims to generate awareness of the wide range of support organisations and individual counselling services across the Trust area that people can turn to if they have been bereaved in this way.

Danielle Gallagher has been appointed as the Bereaved by Suicide Project Worker for the Northern Trust area. Danielle is actively involved in promoting and providing support services for families struggling to come to terms with bereavement due to suicide.

Being bereaved by suicide can leave family and friends with unanswered questions and not knowing where to turn or who to talk to. The Bereaved by Suicide Project was set up to encourage the development of a range of support structures that family and friends can turn to after bereavement.

Danielle works with local community and voluntary organisations to increase awareness of existing local support and were gaps in this provision are identified; she will encourage the development of new group and individual support mechanisms.

“We are now raising awareness of the Bereaved by Suicide Project, meeting with community and voluntary groups, members of the clergy, the PSNI and the emergency services,” she said.

“We also want to identify and assist those groups offering support to the bereaved, particularly those dealing with relatives of those who have taken their own life.

“Dealing with a bereavement through suicide is challenging due to the range and depth of emotions experienced, often accompanied by questions as to 'why' it has happened. By raising awareness of the help available, it is hoped the Bereaved by Suicide Project will also encourage those people finding it hard to cope to access support.”

If you would like more information about a bereavement support group in your area, or to be referred to the individual counselling services, please contact Danielle on 028 2563 6607 or the bereaved by suicide information leaflet can be found on the website www.northerntrust.hscni.net.

The following organisations also provide support to those bereaved by suicide: Lifeline can be contacted on 0808 808 8000, the Niamh Louise Foundation on 07846 666 492, Cruse bereavement care on 028 2563 0900, the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 and PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm) can be contacted on 028 9075 5070.