New website for people bereaved by suicide
2 Aug, 2017
MEDIA RELEASE
The Mental Health Foundation has launched a new website, After a Suicide, offering friends, whānau and family practical information and guidance after a loved one or someone close to them dies by suicide.
“A death by suicide is sudden, shocking and traumatic for the people left behind. The first days can seem like a blur. There is a lot of information to take in, difficult decisions to make and people may have many questions,” MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson says. “We hope this website will help.”
The website includes information about:
What to do when you first hear about a suicide.
How to let others know.
Dealing with the practical.
Official processes and people involved.
Looking after yourself and others.
Getting ongoing help and support.
The website has information about where to find immediate and on-going help and support from free phone counsellors, organisations, peer-support groups and reading material.
There’s also advice about ways to tell people about the news of a death by suicide and how to deal with difficult questions.
People bereaved by suicide can feel overwhelmed when faced with official police and coronial processes and the number of practical things that need to be done like organising a person’s will, death certificate and a funeral or tangi.
“The website explains what people can expect from official processes, who they will be in contact with from different agencies like Victim Support and the police, and we offer ideas about how people bereaved by suicide can get support from professional services, whānau, workmates and neighbours during the often stressful process.”
After a Suicide is run by the MHF on behalf of the Ministry of Health. It is part of a wider project to improve information for people who have lost someone they love or care about.
The website draws on New Zealand and international research, and on the experiences of individuals and families bereaved by suicide in New Zealand.
For further information or comment, please contact:
Sophie LowerySenior Communications and Marketing OfficerMental Health Foundation022 131 9982sophie.lowery@mentalhealth.org.nz
For further information about support and services available to you, contact the MHF's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 or info@mentalhealth.org.nz during business hours.
Note to journalists: Some of the information on helplines has changed. Please ensure all coverage includes reference to updated and appropriate helplines. The MHF's list of recommended helplines is below. All services are available 24/7.
Need to talk? 1737 – Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellorLifeline – 0800 543 354Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nzSamaritans – 0800 726 666Healthline – 0800 611 116Depression helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 or www.depression.org.nzThe Lowdown – a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. Visit www.thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626SPARX.org.nz – online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressedOUTline NZ – 0800 688 5463 for confidential telephone support for the LGBTQI+ family, as well as their friends and familieswww.mentalhealth.org.nz/suicidepreventionwww.afterasuicide.nz
2 Aug, 2017
MEDIA RELEASE
The Mental Health Foundation has launched a new website, After a Suicide, offering friends, whānau and family practical information and guidance after a loved one or someone close to them dies by suicide.
“A death by suicide is sudden, shocking and traumatic for the people left behind. The first days can seem like a blur. There is a lot of information to take in, difficult decisions to make and people may have many questions,” MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson says. “We hope this website will help.”
The website includes information about:
What to do when you first hear about a suicide.
How to let others know.
Dealing with the practical.
Official processes and people involved.
Looking after yourself and others.
Getting ongoing help and support.
The website has information about where to find immediate and on-going help and support from free phone counsellors, organisations, peer-support groups and reading material.
There’s also advice about ways to tell people about the news of a death by suicide and how to deal with difficult questions.
People bereaved by suicide can feel overwhelmed when faced with official police and coronial processes and the number of practical things that need to be done like organising a person’s will, death certificate and a funeral or tangi.
“The website explains what people can expect from official processes, who they will be in contact with from different agencies like Victim Support and the police, and we offer ideas about how people bereaved by suicide can get support from professional services, whānau, workmates and neighbours during the often stressful process.”
After a Suicide is run by the MHF on behalf of the Ministry of Health. It is part of a wider project to improve information for people who have lost someone they love or care about.
The website draws on New Zealand and international research, and on the experiences of individuals and families bereaved by suicide in New Zealand.
For further information or comment, please contact:
Sophie LowerySenior Communications and Marketing OfficerMental Health Foundation022 131 9982sophie.lowery@mentalhealth.org.nz
For further information about support and services available to you, contact the MHF's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 or info@mentalhealth.org.nz during business hours.
Note to journalists: Some of the information on helplines has changed. Please ensure all coverage includes reference to updated and appropriate helplines. The MHF's list of recommended helplines is below. All services are available 24/7.
Need to talk? 1737 – Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellorLifeline – 0800 543 354Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nzSamaritans – 0800 726 666Healthline – 0800 611 116Depression helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 or www.depression.org.nzThe Lowdown – a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. Visit www.thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626SPARX.org.nz – online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressedOUTline NZ – 0800 688 5463 for confidential telephone support for the LGBTQI+ family, as well as their friends and familieswww.mentalhealth.org.nz/suicidepreventionwww.afterasuicide.nz