For the Bereaved

Support After Suicide provides support and resources, counselling and groups for children, young people and adults who are bereaved as a result of suicide.

Counselling

Talking with a counsellor may provide a greater understanding of the experiences common to grief following suicide and those issues unique to your situation. We see children, young people and adults individually or together for counselling. Information and resources are also provided.

You might like to contact us to talk through the best option for you. We are a no-cost counselling service located in Richmond. We have the capacity to meet with people in Lalor, Dandenong, Ferntree Gully and the Melbourne CBD.

Information Sheets

Support After Suicide has developed a range of Information Sheets which may be helpful. Topics include: What is Grief?, Suicide and Grief, About Suicide and Communicating with Children.

Support Groups

Some people benefit from getting together in a group setting with other people bereaved through suicide. This is another valuable way to gain information and support.

We conduct a number of groups each year - for those recently bereaved, longer-term bereaved, for children and young people. Also, we conduct a parent support program for parents who find themselves bringing up children following a suicide.

Monthly Support Group

Support After Suicide conducts two monthly support groups for people bereaved by suicide. We know that the experience of suicide bereavement can be prolonged and difficult and that meeting with others who share the experience is valuable and helpful.

The groups are an opportunity to share with others the experience of bereavement and also to develop further resources to assist with the experience.

The groups are primarily for those who have participated in one of the weekly groups conducted by Support After Suicide. They may also be appropriate for counselling clients who, for some reason, are not able to attend a weekly group.

They are not suitable for those who are recently bereaved. In this instance it is preferable to participate in one of the 8 week groups.

To ensure that the group is appropriate and will be beneficial we ask that potential participants meet with one of the counsellors from Support After Suicide. The group will have a maximum of twelve participants each month and includes some time for refreshments.

More information

Eight Week Support Group: Recently Bereaved

This group is for those who have been bereaved between three months and two years. It is a small group in an understanding and confidential environment. Participants may be parents, partners, siblings, adult children or friends of the one who has died. Participants have the opportunity to:

• Receive information about suicide and the experience of suicide bereavement
• Gain a greater understanding of the unique issues and experiences associated with bereavement following suicide
• Spend time and communicate with others who have also been bereaved as a result of suicide
• Develop resources to assist with the experience.

This group runs several times each year.

Eight Week Support Group: Longer Term Bereaved

This group is for those who have been bereaved between two and five years. It is a small group in an understanding and confidential environment. We recognise that bereavement following suicide is sometimes a prolonged and difficult experience. Participants may be parents, partners, siblings, adult children or friends of the one who has died. Participants have the opportunity to:

• Receive information about suicide and the experience of suicide bereavement
• Gain a greater understanding of the unique issues and experiences associated with bereavement following suicide
• Spend time and communicate with others who have also been bereaved as a result of suicide
• Develop resources to assist with the experience.

This group runs on an as-needs basis. When enough people let us know they would to participate in this group we will schedule it.

'Conversations' - a Group for Parents and Carers of Suicide Bereaved Children

Many parents and carers face particular challenges in raising and caring for suicide bereaved children whilst themselves struggling with their own bereavement. This is a support group where conversations will focus on the challenges and rewards of raising children and young people following a suicide.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Share parenting experiences and learn from one another
• Increase understanding of the behaviour of children and young people in relation to developmental stages and the impact of grief and trauma. Gain a greater understanding of the impact of suicide bereavement on children, young people and family relationships
• Develop new parenting strategies to incorporate into everyday life.

'Serious Fun' - An Activity Day for Suicide Bereaved Children (Primary School Age)

Kids can:

• Get to know others who have also lost someone significant to suicide
• See how other kids have been going and have been feeling about things
• Learn some different ways to act and talk about what has happened.

Parents and carers can expect that their kids will:

• Share their experience of bereavement with other children in a supportive environment with experienced and qualified facilitators
• Develop ways to communicate with others about their experience of bereavement
• Have an enhanced awareness and knowledge of their own grief experience and process
• Develop some resilience and problem-solving abilities
• Create some positive resources for the future.

Young People

Support After Suicide are currently developing programs for young people. We will update this web page when more details are available.

Climbing through Grief: a weekend of adventure for young people bereaved by suicide

This weekend offers a range of experiences developed for young people and provides the opportunity for young people to meet others who have lost someone important to them to suicide.