Support

SUPPORT AFTER SUICIDE. 

When a loved one is lost to suicide the physical and emotional impacts are  devastating for those left behind however with the right support, it makes a difference  . The “ripples” of loss go out far & wide affecting families, friends, colleagues & whole communities in various different ways. Unfortunately there are no “magic formulas” and no one can offer any “quicke fixes with easy solutions” to the difficult situations & trying times  someone may face and as individual as a finger print, grief affects everyone in different ways.  A one size all approach we feel does not work due to the uniqueness of the loss and therefore cannot be treat the same as other deaths. 

 Often the “ journey” that begins after a death by suicide is often the hardest that challenge a person will face in life, however it is not one you have to travel alone.IUCSF believe by “sharing”your grief with someone who is walking the same path, possibly the road your travelling may not seem as lonely.

WRITTEN RESOURCES AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE.

After various visits to Belfast and working with our friends in West Belfast Suicide awareness group IUCSF have adopted a similar model to provide SUPPORT people bereaved by suicide.  Although only available at the moment in the North East of England we are still able to send information on any of the publications UK wide.

 We can provide access to written publications which provide advice on practical issues faced by people that lose a loved one to suicide. The DH publication “Help Is At Hand” (HIAH) is available from us and can be mailed to you free of charge. Alternatively you can download an online copy by visiting “Help is at hand“.

We are also able to offer our own IUCSF support booklet “The Road Ahead” and special thanks to Mental Health Matters for supporting us in our trips to Belfast and with this publication. It is  written by people touched by suicide. The book  offers an insight into the emotional issues faced daily by those touched by suicide. Both publications are available free of charge. Please contact us for your copy. share@ifucareshare.co.uk

HOW IUCSF CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PEOPLE BEREAVED BY SUICIDE.

SAS.

In June 2011 IUCSF was commissioned by NHS County Durham and Darlington to provide support to those bereaved by suicide working  in partnership with MIND  Chester le Street & Durham City. Providing one on one the service is available to those within the Durham and Chester le Street area. (If you do not live within this area please still contact us and we will be happy to help identify support available in youre area.he two main leads on the service, Shirley Smith & Dean Smith know too well the impact of suicide – and lead on the support with a team of volunteers.

Support is both emotional and practical and dependant on the needs of the person we are supporting. The issues that one faces when bereaved can be complex therefore we are able to offer support around the proceedures that take place in a death after suicide.We know we can’t take away the pain we can however tell you what we know about surviving a suicide by “sharing” our own experiences. Click to view more details in our SAS Document

 These include:

Attending Coroners Inquests. Advise on the Inquest proceedures.

Listening Service.

Alternative therapies – Massage, Reflexology, Counselling.

Housing advise.

Legal and Benefit advise.

Support services relevant to needs.

Advocacy

Support in Emotional needs.

Contact is at a time and place convenient to the you. We will offer face to face, over the phone, or over internet support.

So if you have been affected by the loss of a loved one or friend/colleague to suicide and need support in coming to terms with your loss please contact us by calling 0191 3875661 or Mobile 07714 595882 or email share@ifucareshare.co.uk. 

GROUP SUPPORT BY MIND CHESTER LE STREET & DURHAM CITY.

  Mind Chester le Street & Durham Cityhave ran a Suicide Support Group for several years in Chester le Street providing  a safe confidential group to meet others that have been  bereaved by suicidel Through the funding received from NHS Co Durham and Darlington another group is being created in January 2012

Currently meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month from 1730 till 1900 hours In Chester Le Street Office. The new group is due to open in Spennymoor area in January 2012. If you would like to attend the groups provided by Mind please contact 0191  3883411.