Help is at hand
Tel: 0870 155 54 55
DH Publications Orderline, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH
This Department of Health guide is aimed at the wide range of people who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It contains information about what may happen after the death, including the coroner's inquest, and about the feelings and emotions that bereaved people may experience. Suggestions for how to cope are given, and details about sources of support. There are also pointers to useful reading material.
The booklet also provides information for healthcare workers and other professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and to suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it.
The guide can be downloaded as a pdf from the Department of Health website.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
National Helpline - 0844 561 6855 - 9am to 9pm every day
This is a self-help voluntary organisation. Many of the volunteers have themselves been bereaved by suicide. The organisation exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. It offers emotional and practical support in a number of ways...
- Confidential telephone helpline
- Support information
- Help by e-mail
- Group meetings (in a number of locations)
- One-day conferences
- Residential events
Information relating to practical issues and problems
Cruse Bereavement Care
Helpline: 0844 477 9400
Cruse Bereavement Care is a national organization which offers help to all bereaved people. The organisation provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services. Cruse is the leading charity in the U.K. specialising in bereavement. It has many local branches and almost 6,000 volunteers throughout the U.K. The website also has a section for young people, called RD4U http://www.rd4u.org.uk/
The Compassionate Friends
Helpline: 0845 123 2304 (From UK)
This self-help voluntary organisation offers support to all families bereaved after the death of a child or children. It also offers support, advice and information to other relatives, friends and professionals who are helping the family. The Helpline is always answered by a bereaved parent. The Shadow of Suicide (SoS) contact group provides support for people bereaved by suicide.
RD4U
Tel: 020 8939 9530
Free phone: 0808 808 1677
RD4U is a website designed for young people by young people. It is part of Cruse Bereavement Care's Youth Involvement Project and aims to support young people after the death of someone close. RD4U means the 'road for you' - the main aim of the site is to help young people find their own 'road' to dealing with loss.
Winston’s wish
Winston’s Wish helps children to re-build their lives after the death of a parent or sibling. The organization offers practical support and guidance to families, professionals, and anyone concerned about a grieving child. Winston’s Wish has produced a booklet, Beyond the Rough Rock, which is specifically designed for children bereaved by suicide.
The Childhood Bereavement Network
The Childhood Bereavement Network was established in 1998 to ensure all children and young people receive information, guidance and support to enable them to manage the impact of death on their lives. It provides national and local information for families and caregivers, including professional carers.
The Child Bereavement Charity
Tel: 01494 446648
The Child Bereavement Charity provides resources for children and families who are grieving and for the professionals who support them.
The WAY foundation
info@wayfoundation.org.uk
WAY offers support and friendship to young bereaved people, whatever their circumstances, however long ago their partner died. WAY helps men and women widowed under 50, parents and those without children. WAY is structured around local groups designed to offer support to members in all areas. When you join, a local WAY volunteer will get in touch with you to let you know what is going on where you live.
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org/
jo@samaritans.org
08457 909090
Samaritans is an organisation which provides confidential emotional support, 24 hours a day, for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Volunteers offer help by telephone, email, and letter. Most of the branches also offer face-to-face meetings. There is a section on the website for those bereaved by suicide.
Widowed by suicide
Widowed by Suicide aims to reduce the isolation felt by those who have lost their life partner through suicide, providing emotional support and informal advice, by sharing individual experiences in a safe and secure environment. Email Jacqui for more information on the group.
Scottish Association for Mental Health
The Scottish Association for Mental Health is Scotland’s leading mental health charity. In the section called Publications there is a booklet for people bereaved by suicide in Scotland, called After a suicide. It is available as a pdf file. As well as providing practical information about issues like funeral expenses, registering the death etc, this booklet also suggests coping strategies for people to try, and includes details of agencies which might be able to help.
