Resources For Those Bereaved or Affected by Suicide and For Professionals Supporting Them
Emergency Contacts – If you have an emergency and a life is in danger contact the emergency services on 999 |
The following resources have been written for those bereaved by suicide. These resources describe the common grief responses when someone is bereaved by suicide. They also provide contact details of organisations that provide guidance and support. They are free to download. Some provide printed copies free of charge.
Key Resources If You Are Bereaved By Suicide
This booklet has been published by Public Health England and is written by people bereaved by suicide. The booklet can be read or downloaded here or ?order a free printed copy telephone: 0300 123 1002 quoting ‘2901502/Help is at Hand’ This is the Welsh version of the Help is at Hand booklet and provides contact details of organisations in Wales. This booklet is supported by Public Health Wales can be read or downloaded here You can also order a copy by telephone 0029 2022 7744 This is a revised version of England’s Help is at Hand booklet providing contact details of organisations in Northern Ireland. This booklet is supported by the Public Health Agency and can be read or downloaded here A hard copy can also be ordered by contacting 0300 555 0114 A toolkit for supporting Children, Young People and Families affected or bereaved by suicide. You can read or downloadfrom HERE First Hand - making sense of lasting memories and emotions after the suicide of somebody you didn't know. You can read or download from here This booklet has been written by Thrive LDN, for those who experience a sudden bereavement during COVID-19. Whilst it has not been specifically written for people bereaved by suicide, it is relevant, if you have been bereaved by suicide, during the pandemic. Please note, it has been designed for people living in London. However, it signposts to many national organisations. You can read or download HEREHelp is at Hand – England
Wales – Help is at Hand
Northern Ireland – Help is at Hand
Scotland – After a Suicide
Walk With Us
First Hand Booklet
Support After Sudden Bereavement During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Key Resources If You Come Into Contact With Someone Bereaved By Suicide
This booklet is relevant to anyone who comes into contact with those bereaved by suicide in either a personal or professional capacity. The booklet guides the reader on how to reach out to someone who has been bereaved or affected by suicide. It was written in collaboration between University College London and Support After Suicide Partnership. The booklet can be read or downloaded hereFinding the Words
UK Organisations That Provide Help And Support To Those Bereaved By Suicide
Possible organisations/professionals to inform Tell Us Once is a government service which enables a bereaved person to report the death of a loved one to most government services in one go, rather than having to contact multiple departments separately. Please note this service is not available in Northern Ireland. For more information click HERE http://www.coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk Helpline: 0300 111 2141 (Monday – Friday, 09.00 – 19.00; Saturday 09.00 – 14.00) http://www.inquest.org.uk The INQUEST handbook is free to download for bereaved families and friends affected by a sudden death that involves an inquest. (Please note the information is only relevant for the inquest process in England and Wales. We are not aware of a similar service in Scotland and Northern Ireland). The handbook can be read or downloaded here or to order a printed copy, telephone: 020 7263 1111 https://www.samaritans.org Free Helpline: 116 123 (available 24/7; N.B. your telephone number will not be recorded on your phone bill. You can also use your mobile, even if you do not have credit). https://uksobs.org To identify a SOBS group in your area click HERE https://www.cruse.org.uk Helpline (Freephone): 0808 808 1677 available: Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk https://www.thecalmzone.net Helpline (Freephone): 0800 58 58 58 / London 080 802 58 58 (Open 7 days a week 17.00 to midnight) https://www.winstonswish.org They have also produced a booklet entitled ‘Beyond the Rough Rock’ which focuses on children’s grief responses when bereaved by suicide. It provides practical advice for families in the days/weeks after the death (e.g. focussing on what to say, seeing the body and attending the funeral). This resource is free-of-charge to parents bereaved by suicide. National helpline (Freephone): 08088 020 021, Monday – Friday: 9.00 -17.00. The helpline offers therapeutic advice to parents, carers and professionals looking for childhood bereavement advice and support. https://childbereavementuk.org Helpline (Freephone): 0800 02 888 40 (Monday – Friday, 9.00 -17.00, except Bank Holidays). https://www.papyrus-uk.org Helpline (Freephone): 0800 068 4141 (Monday – Friday 9.00 - 22.00, Weekends and Bank Holidays 14.00 - 22.00) The Support After Suicide Partnership website provides information about suicide bereavement and signposts the user to key resources and information. For more information click hereFinding support in your area
At A Loss
Hub Of Hope
Informing agencies of the death
Organisations and Professions to Inform
Suicide Bereavement UK has compiled a list of organisations/professionals that, when someone has died, may need to be informed. It is a valuable resource for those bereaved by suicide or those who are supporting them. It is designed so that you can download the form and use it as a tick list. CLICK HERE to downloadTell Us Once
Dealing with the inquest
The Coroners Courts Support Service
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service is an independent voluntary organisation whose trained volunteers offer emotional support and practical help to bereaved families and witnesses attending an inquest at a coroner’s court in England and Wales. (To our knowledge there is no similar service in Scotland or Northern Ireland).
Email: helpline@ccss.org.ukINQUEST
INQUEST provides expertise on state-related deaths (i.e. deaths in police and prison or mental health settings and deaths involving multi-agency failings, or where wider issues of state and corporate accountability are in question) in England and Wales.
Finding support nationally
Samaritans
Samaritans provide confidential support, every day of the year through a 24-hour helpline, to those who are struggling to cope and need someone to listen. Please note this helpline is for anyone who is struggling, not just those who are feeling suicidal. You can contact Samaritans by telephone, email, text, letter or, during the day, in person by visiting a local branch.
Email: jo@samaritans.org (response time within 24 hours)Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
SOBS is a national charity and offers free support to adults (aged 18+) bereaved by suicide. SOBS provides:
Helpline (Freephone): 0300 111 5065 (Monday – Friday 9.00-21.00)
Email: sobs.support@hotmail.comCRUSE Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support provides free emotional support for anyone who is bereaved. Their trained volunteers offer free, confidential, face-to-face support, by telephone, over a ZOOM call, email and through the website (both national and local services are available). They also have services specifically for bereaved children and young people.CALM
CALM is a male suicide prevention charity who provide confidential support for men in the UK. They provide a helpline as well as a webchat service, offering help, advice and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis. Their website provides a range of resources, especially for men.
Email: info@thecalmzone.net
Webchat: https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchatSupport for children and young people
Winstons Wish
Winston’s Wish charity provides a wide range of professional therapeutic support services via their national helpline, interactive website and publications. Their services are offered to:
Email: ask@winstonswish.orgChild Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports children and young people up to the age of 25 who are facing bereavement, and anyone affected by the death of a child of any age. They provide various types of confidential support. Examples include a national helpline, responding to emails and live chat via their website.
Email: support@childbereavementuk.orgPAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
PAPYRUS provides a confidential support and advice service to young people, up to the age of 35 years, who may be at risk of suicide and to those concerned about a vulnerable young person. Support can be accessed via their confidential helpline (HOPELINEUK), by email and text:
Text: 07860039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.orgSupport After Suicide
International Organisations That Provide Help And Support To Those Bereaved By Suicide
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) - Resources: Crisis Centers Browse to find Crisis Centres throughout the world.International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)
Disclaimer: Views expressed in the websites below do not necessarily represent the views of IASP.
Informing Agencies of The Death
Possible organisations/professionals to inform Tell Us Once is a government service which enables a bereaved person to report the death of a loved one to most government services in one go, rather than having to contact multiple departments separately. Please note this service is not available in Northern Ireland. For more information click HEREOrganisations and Professions to Inform
Suicide Bereavement UK has compiled a list of organisations/professionals that, when someone has died, may need to be informed. It is a valuable resource for those bereaved by suicide or those who are supporting them. It is designed so that you can download the form and use it as a tick list. CLICK HERE to downloadTell Us Once
General Information
There are times when everyone’s life is challenging and uncertain. This might be because of a range of things, such as; a pandemic, flood warning, illness, exams or a range of other factors. Download our free guide to managing anxiety here.A Guide to Managing Anxiety in Uncertain and Challenging Times
