Norfolk and Waveney Mind

How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?

The Complex Bereavement Service is supported by Norfolk County Council’s Public Health Department and Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group and has been created as a result of a great need for suicide prevention and complex bereavement support in Norfolk and Waveney.

We provide a range of different services including free suicide awareness and intervention training (Lighthouse Project), 1:1 practical and emotional support for individuals bereaved by suicide (SAIL Project), peer group support for those bereaved by suicide (Anchor Project)

What are your current priorities?

To ensure those who have been bereaved by suicide are offered support within 4 days of a referral being made to us.

Support is person centred and will depend on the need of the particular individual. This could be things such as:

– Providing a listening ear and an opportunity to talk openly and honestly without fear of judgement

– Liaison with Coroner’s Office, Police, funeral directors etc.

– Explaining legal proceedings

– Signposting and navigating around other sources of support that are available locally

– Emotional and moral support prior to and during the inquest

We offer eight week structured support groups across Norfolk & Waveney for those who have been affect by a loss by suicide.  To provide an opportunity for individuals to speak openly and honestly about their feelings without fear of being judged or told to move on with their life.

We have recently set up the Cove Project to offer support and help to anyone over the age of 18 years old who has been bereaved during the pandemic, the bereavement doesn’t have to be COVID – 19 related. It has been recognised that being bereaved during this time creates an added complexity due to the restrictions placed on society by lockdown, which means that one may have been unable to be with someone, attend a funeral or grieve the way they might normally.

The project offers one to one support for up to 12 weeks and after that group support is available.  The groups are closed and offer an 8 weeks structured but informal programme that focuses on exploring different components of grief etc. It is also opportunity for individuals to connect in their shared experience and possibly develop peer support for the future.

What challenges are you currently facing?