Support after suicide
Counselling
Support After Suicide provides counselling to individuals, couples and families who are bereaved by suicide. Given the complexity and intensity of this experience, it can be helpful to speak with someone who has expertise and who understands.
Counselling is available at locations in Victoria and New South Wales. We provide our service on the phone, online (Zoom/Skype) and in person.
In Victoria we have access to counselling rooms in Richmond, Brunswick, Geelong, the CBD, Dandenong, Frankston and Mornington.
In NSW we are located in Burwood and have access to rooms in Sydney, surrounding regions of NSW.
Contact us on 1800 943 415 or at aftersuicide@jss.org.au to find out more or to arrange an appointment.
Support groups
Many people benefit from getting together in a group setting with others who are bereaved by suicide. We conduct a number of groups throughout the year. Some are online and others meet in person.
To find out more or to register for a support group, contact us on 1800 943 415 or aftersuicide@jss.org.au.
Early bereavement group
This is for people who have been bereaved for around 3-18 months. It is an 8-week group that is facilitated by two of the Support After Suicide counselling team. There is a topic or theme for each session and time for discussion between the participants. The same participants attend each session. This group runs several times a year. Contact us if you are interested in attending this group.
Parents discussion group
This support group meets on the first Wednesday evening of the month from February to December from 7.00-9.00pm in Richmond, Vic and online. It is for bereaved parents and is facilitated by one of the Support After Suicide counselling team and a peer support volunteer.
Partners support group
This group meets on the third Wednesday evening of the month from February to December from 7.00-9.00pm and is currently online. It is for those who have lost a partner to suicide and is facilitated by one of the Support After Suicide counselling team and a peer support volunteer.
Brothers and sisters group
The brothers and sisters group meets on the fourth Thursday evening of the month from 7.00-9.00pm in Richmond, Vic and online. It meets from February to December and is facilitated by one of the Support After Suicide team.
Loss of a parent group
For adults who have lost a parent to suicide. This support group runs on the third Wednesday evening of the month from 7.00-9.00pm online. One of the Support After Suicide counselling team facilitates these meetings.
Men’s program
This program is for men bereaved by suicide. It meets on the second Thursday of each month in Richmond, Vic and online from 7.00-9.00pm. The format of these meetings often includes a guest speaker. Sessions are facilitated by one of the Support After Suicide counselling team and peer support volunteers.
Peer support
We auspice several support groups that are facilitated by experienced and trained peer support volunteers:
Coffee morning
This is a relaxed and informal gathering for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Peer support volunteers facilitate these meetings where tea, coffee and refreshments are served. There is a Coffee Morning in Richmond, Vic which meets meet on the second Wednesday morning of each month. There is also one in Geelong, Vic on the first Tuesday of each month.
Dandenong support group
This group runs on the first Thursday of each month from 7.00-9.00pm. It currently meets online.
Frankston support group
This group runs on the first Thursday of each month from 7.00-9.00pm. It currently meets online.
Macedon Ranges support group
This support group is held on the second Monday of each month from 7.00-9.00pm in Newham.
West Gippsland support group
This support group is held on the first Thursday evening of each month from 7.00-9.00pm in Warragul.
Serious fun
Victoria
Intended for primary school aged children, this group runs in each of the school holidays on a Wednesday morning. Several members of the Support After Suicide counselling team and trained volunteers facilitate these sessions. There is usually a theme relating to loss and grief that is a focus and then there is a time of play and fun. Children find this to be an enjoyable time of sharing with others who have lost someone important to suicide.
New South Wales
This children’s activity group also meets on a morning during the school holidays for children affected by suicide. It is intended to hold them in person at Burwood, online and eventually at Queanbeyan in the ACT.
Different adventures
Designed for young people from ages 12 to 16, this program involves activities and events. There is usually an adventure camp each year as well as other activities such as a beach day and a day in the snow. Contact us for more information.
Online community
The Support After Suicide online community brings together people who are bereaved by suicide and living in Australia to meet and support one another. Members can discuss issues that are important to them and meet others who understand their experience.
It is an online space to share your story, ask advice and support others who have lost someone they care about to suicide.
You can join the community by completing a simple online form. We’ll ask you for a few details to ensure the community is right for you.
Community information sessions
A few times a year we run community information sessions for recently bereaved people. These are an opportunity to receive information about loss and grief, trauma, suicide and the experience of bereavement. We also offer some ideas about what may be helpful. These evenings also include one or two guest speakers who have been bereaved some time ago. They share their story of what happened and what they found to be helpful.
These sessions are also informative and valuable for the family and friends of bereaved people. These can be held in person and online.
Publications
We were fighting the system as well as the illness
A research report detailing family perceptions of how the mental health system responds to those at risk of suicide.
Each of these publications is available to read online or you can purchase a copy.
Click on the link to read online or you can purchase a copy.
Prose and poetry written by people bereaved by suicide
Talking with children and young people about suicide
Prose and poetry written by people bereaved by suicide
Stories written by men telling of their experience of suicide bereavement
Information sheets
We have a range of Information Sheets with relevant information for those bereaved by suicide. Much of the information is available on this website, but you can download a PDF copy here.
For professionals
Education and training
Support After Suicide can provide a range of education and training sessions for health, education and welfare professionals. Topics include:
- Current loss and grief theory
- Trauma
- Information about suicide
- The unique issues and experiences of suicide bereavement
- How to support a person bereaved by suicide
We are also able to provide education and support to those who wish to commence facilitating a suicide bereavement support group.
Secondary consultation
The Support After Suicide counselling team is available to provide information and consultation to families and professionals in how to effectively and sensitively respond to bereaved individuals and families.
You can call us on 1800 943 415 or complete the Contact form and we’ll respond to you,