£1M SUICIDE FAMILY HELP
Minister touched by tragedy to aid struggling victims
A £1MILLION fund is being set up to help those left bereft by the suicide of a loved one.
It is being masterminded by health minister Nadine Dorries, who suffered the agony of her cousin, her soulmate since childhood, killing himself.
One of her official roles is suicide prevention and she hopes to roll out the scheme over five years.
NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch said: “These new post- crisis bereavement services will be a lifeline for families.”
It will mean those affected by a family member or friend taking their life can access support. This will include sessions with trained volunteers or counsellors, group support or referral to specialist mental health services.
Ms Dorries said: “When a loved one takes their own life those left behind can suffer indescribable pain and grief – something I experienced.
Every suicide is a tragedy but it’s also important to support those coming to terms with a loss.”
Nearly one in ten touched by suicide will attempt to take their own lives and eight per cent will drop out of work.
Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50, but women under 25 taking their lives is the highest for 30 years.
Services will differ depending on what is already on offer.
First to get funding will be North Cumbria, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire and Harrogate, Nottinghamshire, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, London, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Devon.
Samaritans’ Ruth Sutherland added: “Anyone bereaved will need support tailored to their individual needs.”