Supporting those effected by suicide

A grief education programme has been launched to help support those in the South Waikato who have been affected by suicide.

‘Waves’ is a not-for-profit organisation developed by Skylight, to offer a wide range of support for those facing tough times, loss, trauma and grief.

The programme suggests that grief for suicide comes in waves, with the first wave bringing shock and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Waves facilitator Margaret Bonnar said the idea was to develop a group environment setting that was trusted by whanau [family] that have been affected by suicide.

The programme is available to ‘‘anyone who has been affected by suicide’’ from the age of 17.

Throughout the grief education programme discussions are held on the process of understanding and finding the pathway to move forward.

It focuses on the grief process, finding meaning in your experience, managing your emotions, reducing stigma, working through the feelings of isolation and moving towards the recovery and building resilience.

It teaches you how to care for yourself and others around you.

The programme is run every Tuesday night over eight weeks, but registration is required.

The cut off date for registration is Friday June 16, with a maximum of eight per programme.

‘‘There is such a need for it because there has been too many families affected by suicide,’’ said Bonnar.

As this is the first suicide support programme to take place in Tokoroa, the facilitators will continue with the programme as long as there is demand.

Facilitator Ngaroma Reti said if the demand spreads out from the Tokoroa area they will consider widening their range to places like Putaruru.

The wave programme teaches people that these waves can not be controlled but you can learn to surf, and if people learn to go with them, experience them and move through them effectively, they will subside more quickly and the person will find their way back to shore.

For those wanting to register for the first programme or have any questings regarding Waves please contact Margaret on 0210446372 or Tokerau on 0272264422