Dedicated suicide bereavement support rolled out across England

Posted on: 28 October 2019

  • Tailored bereavement support to be introduced on the NHS, to care for people in the aftermath of a family or friend’s suicide
  • Personalised services will be rolled out in 10 regions as part of £940,000 investment
  • NHS Long Term Plan commitment for designated suicide bereavement help in every area across the country by 2023/24

People who have lost someone close to them due to suicide are set to benefit from dedicated bereavement care, as Government unveils plans to roll out services nationwide.

Minister for Mental Health, Nadine Dorries, has set out plans which will mean anyone affected by a family member or friend taking their own life will have access to practical and emotional support in the days and months following their death.

Ten areas are set to benefit from the £940,000 fund, with support ranging from one-to-one session   with trained volunteers or counsellors, group support or signposting to specialist mental health services.

Minister for Mental Health Nadine Dorries said:

“When a loved one takes their own life, those left behind can suffer indescribable pain and grief – something I have experienced first-hand.

“Every suicide is a tragedy, which is why I am determined to tackle its root causes. But it is also important to support those coming to terms with a loss, ensuring they have access to the right types of sensitive support.

“This funding is part of our wider commitment in the NHS Long Term Plan to implement designated suicide bereavement care across the country – making a real difference to people’s lives.”

Statistics show that nine per cent of people affected by suicide will also attempt to take their own life, while eight per cent will drop out of work.

The tailored help will be implemented in every region across the country by 2023/24, as part of a commitment set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.

The type of support on offer will vary from region to region to ensure it links in with existing local services but will encompass a wide-range of measures designed to expand and personalise the existing bereavement care already available.

In South West London, a designated suicide bereavement liaison officer, to be hosted by Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster Mind, will be created.

The liaison officer will receive referrals for support from police and health care professionals and will proactively contact the bereaved to offer one-to-one support, for example by providing a crucial link during inquests as well as being able to provide longer-term support at key points, such as one year later.  It will also be possible for people to self-refer into the service.

Claire Murdoch NHS national director for mental health said:

“Suicide is a tragedy for both the person and their family and friends – with lives devastated as a result.

“These new post-crisis bereavement services will be a lifeline for families and staff who are at heightened risk themselves of experiencing mental health problems.”

In West Yorkshire and Harrogate, a single point of access for those in need will be created to grant people a quicker, streamlined route to vital care.

This will sit alongside one-to-one and group support, support with coroners, signposting, peer-led groups and memorial events, and training for organisations and employers on how to support their workforce if they have been bereaved by suicide.

Ruth Sutherland, CEO of Samaritans, said:

“Grief is different for everyone, and anyone who is bereaved will need support that is tailored to their individual needs. Sadly, those bereaved by suicide are more likely to attempt suicide than those bereaved by a sudden death from other causes, so this investment in dedicated support services cannot come soon enough.

“Research has shown that postvention support can help people bereaved by suicide to deal with the thoughts and emotions they experience. By helping to reduce their feelings of distress, this provision of practical and emotional help for those grieving is an important step forward in developing a holistic approach to suicide prevention.”

The total amount being allocated this year across the ten areas is £940,000. The ten areas receiving funding are:

  • North Cumbria (£114,000)
  • Derbyshire (£71,000)
  • West Yorkshire and Harrogate (£173,000)
  • Nottinghamshire (£63,000)
  • Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (£64,000)
  • North Central London (£87,000)
  • North West London (£113,000)
  • South West London (£69,000)
  • Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West (£98,000)
  • Devon (£88,000)

National mental health spend reached £12.5 billion last year with the NHS Long Term Plan committing an extra £2.3 billion every year over the next five years to transform mental health care.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working urgently with partners across Government, businesses and communities to reduce the national suicide rate. 

Every area of the country will receive funding for suicide prevention and bereavement services, by 2023/24, from the total pot of money of £57m allocated through the Long Term Plan.

Notes to editors

On impact of suicide on mental health:

  • Research suggests that up to 135 people may be impacted by each suicide
  • People impacted by suicide are at higher risk of physical and emotional ill-health and may attempt suicide themselves.
  • Research suggests that 8% drop out of work and 9% of adults who have been bereaved by suicide make a suicide attempt.
  • Each suicide is estimated to cost £1.7m. 70% of this cost is the practical and emotional impact on the lives of those left behind.

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