Bereavement through suicide

Being bereaved by suicide has been described as ‘grief with the volume turned up’.  Much of what the bereaved feel may be the same as when the person had died suddenly or after a long illness.  Yet people say a suicide seems to intensify the normal responses to loss.  For example, they may feel a sharper guilt over their own actions, a more bitter blame towards someone else who they feel could have prevented the suicide, stronger anger at the person who died or a deeper despair that someone close to them has died this way.

Research shows that in the absence of appropriate support, those who have been bereaved through suicide can often be more vulnerable to go on to experience thoughts of suicide or die by suicide themselves.

Who is this training for?

The training is intended as an introduction to the ‘Help is at Hand’ publication for workers who may be the first professionals in contact with those bereaved by suicide. Our aim is for participants to have a working knowledge of ‘Help is at Hand’ and to encourage sharing of the book with families and loved ones of those who have (or are suspected to have) died by suicide thus improving support for everyone who is affected.

The training would be appropriate for a range of professionals including people working with those bereaved through suicide such as; police, blue light services, teachers, doctors, solicitors and HR personnel.

What does the training cover?

This is an interactive online workshop that will cover how grief and bereavement is often magnified  by death through suicide, which can be quite different and often cause additional difficult emotions such as guilt and shame.   We will consider the importance of language used around suicide and discuss what is helpful and what is not helpful when talking to someone bereaved through suicide.

Working in small groups we will review ‘Help is at Hand’ chapter by chapter and learn about the type of support that may be required in the first few days and the weeks and months that follow, as well as contemplating the needs of children and young people and how to deal with the media.

We are honoured to incorporate a plenary speaker willing to share their lived experience of their bereavement through suicide including the weeks leading up to it and how they coped as a family in the following days, weeks and months.

We discuss and consider issues specific to those affected by suicide and will provide an opportunity to learn about appropriate places to signpost to, as well as well as reflect on the self-care of participants themselves.

The aims of the training are for delegates to:

  • Feel confident supporting those bereaved by suicide
  • Have the ability to use appropriate language
  • Be familiar with and confident to use ‘Help is at Hand’
  • Be able to signpost when additional support is required

How much does it cost?

£75 per delegate including a resource pack and work book which will be sent out to all delegates in advance and a certificate of attendance for CPD purposes.

Places are limited and we are also currently running a waiting list. Please register your interest below for this or any future courses.

For more information on this course or to book a place please email [email protected] or contact Lucy on 07753 299925.

“We covered the correct terminology to use and now I feel more confident in talking about suicide and supporting those bereaved by suicide through signposting correctly.”

“The training was insightful and well prepared. Although the session was at times very difficult due to the subject matter, I found it engaging and useful for the job I do. I have taken away from this lots of things I can use within my role.”

“A difficult training sessions as it evoked lots of different emotions however it was well delivered and very informative.”

“I felt fully supported during the training sessions and reassured that the trainers were very experienced and knowledgeable.”

 

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