Bereavement service is launched for those affected by suicide loss

A BEREAVEMENT service has been launched in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, aimed at helping those affected by suicide loss.

People bereaved by suicide are more likely to suffer from severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, project leaders say, or even adopt suicidal behaviours themselves.

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Suicide Bereavement Service, working towards reducing suicide by 10 per cent across Yorkshire and by 75 per cent in some areas, will provide support through one-to-one peer support, peer support groups and advocacy.

“As someone personally affected by suicide, I understand the impact it can have on individuals, families and other people too,” said Rob Webster, the chief executive lead for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

“This service will provide essential help to those facing one of the hardest issues to face.”

The service will see practical support, signposting to counselling or financial advice, as well as workshops, and is open to those recently or more historically bereaved.

It comes after the Government announced in October that the area would be one of the first to receive funding for bereavement services, awarded £173,000.

This is aimed at creating a single point of access for those in need, to create a quicker, more streamlined route to care.

This will sit alongside support with coroners, signposting, peerled groups and memorial events, as well as training for employers on how to support their workforce.

Some of the increase in suicide rates for 2018 may be explained by changes to the way deaths are recorded by coroners, the Department for Health and Social Care has said, and it is working with experts to consider the data in more detail. Suicide prevention has also been highlighted as a priority in the NHS LongTerm Plan, a spokesman said, with funding for every area of the country and a roll-out of bereavement services by 2023/24.

Suicide prevention plans are in place for every local authority, the DHSC added, with Government investment of almost £600,000 this year to support councils to further improve their plans.

■ The Samaritans can be contacted free at any time of day or night, call 116123 or email jo@ samaritans.org