Support After Suicide

The cornerstone of Support After Suicide is its counselling service - and it offers much more. Read about the ways the program supports Emma, her son and many others.

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When my husband Mark died by suicide in 2021, I felt shattered, decimated and broken. My life, and that of our six-year-old son, Will was forever changed.

I felt an immense sense of relief meeting with Greg, a Support After suicide counsellor. My first meeting with Greg was profound. And our continued sessions prevented by grief and trauma from overwhelming me. Most importantly, counselling helped me to be a present and supportive parent to Will.

As well as counselling, Support After Suicide provides support to people who have been bereaved by suicide in other ways. Here are some of the ways the program has supported me and my son.

Early bereavement program

A year after Mark died, I felt ready to connect with others who had experienced similar loss. Over eight weeks, a group of eight of us met online for the early bereavement group.

It had a huge impact on me. I learned that I wasn’t alone, and that I needed to find space for my grief.

It’s an impact felt by other participants too. Someone recently shared that they learned many things through the program: that it’s OK to hope again; there’s more to their loved one than how they died; having grace for themself; giving themself permission to care for themselves and have those hard days when they need to; and that they’re not alone

Support groups

The Serious Fun program for primary school aged kids is one of Support After Suicide’s 10 regular support groups.

One of the counsellors, Colin, says that kids need the opportunity to be kids. When someone dies by suicide and you’re a kid, you’re forced to grow up quickly.

There is a serious aspect – the kids light candles for the person they’ve lost and talk about them and how they’re feeling. Then it’s time for fun like art, games or kicking a footy.

Will feels a sense of connection and belonging by being part of this program.

Community groups

I’m on the committee for Chasing Change – a community group in my local area of Frankston-Mornington Peninsula.

Most of us on the committee have lost a loved one to suicide and have been participants of Support After Suicide.

We organise two key events each year – a walk for suicide prevention and a Christmas event. These events help our local community to gather, connect, and remember our loved ones.

I’ve found purpose in creating these opportunities for others to find a sense of connection and belonging that I have found so vital since losing Mark.

Volunteers

Right now, I’m completing volunteer training with Support After Suicide. I’m looking forward to doing peer support work in my local area.

I’ll be joining a team of volunteers with the program. Most of us have lost a loved one to suicide and want to give back to a program that has given us so much.

There are over 50 Support After Suicide volunteers – it’s amazing that so many people want to give back and help others.

Website

I visited the Support After Suicide website on the morning Mark died. For me, it’s still an important resource as I continue to navigate new challenges.

I am proud to have worked on the website’s redevelopment earlier this year as part of my role at Support After Suicide. My own experience influenced how the website looks and what information it includes.

You can visit the website at Support After Suicide.

Podcast

I recently spoke on ABC Radio Melbourne’s The Conversation Hour with Dr Louise Flynn, General Manager of Support After Suicide. I shared my experience after losing Mark, and we spoke about ways to support someone after they have lost a loved one to suicide.

You can listen to it at The Conversation Hour on ABC Listen.

I am, and will forever be, thankful for the gift of Jesuit Social Services and Support After Suicide in my life.

Your gift helps make programs like Support After Suicide and other work possible. Thank you for your support.

DONATE TO OUR SUMMER APPEAL