Booklet aims to support people affected by suicide

An information booklet for families and friends of people bereaved through suicide has been launched in Cork

The Lighting the Way booklet aims to improve the level of information and support in the community following a suicide.

It was produced by the HSE North Lee Community Work Department in collaboration with the HSE Health Action Zone, the gardaí, and community and voluntary groups.

Stephen Murphy, HSE community health worker in Cork City, said he was pleased to be able to offer a solid resource pack to those on the frontline who may need to provide support to family and friends of a loved one who has died by suicide.

“The pack will be used as a response support that gardaí or health professionals can leave with a family/individual after a suicide.

“It will assist those bereaved through suicide in finding and accessing supports locally and nationally as well as information on the processes involved immediately after the suicide. It will also be of huge benefit for our colleagues in the community as a signposting resource and information pack.”

Launching the resource yesterday, Kathleen Lynch, junior minister with responsibility for mental health, said the development of a user-friendly resource pack with identified supports, both local and national, for those bereaved through suicide as well as information on the process involved after the death is an excellent model of partnership in action.

“The involvement of so many organisations shows how effective the commun-ity approach can be and I would like to wish all involved in the development and dissemination of this information resource every success with this initiative which no doubt assist many families and friends of those bereaved by suicide.”

The booklet was developed after local groups raised concerns about the issue of availability and consistency in the dissemination of support information locally to those bereaved through suicide.

A working group was formed with the aim of developing a first response support resource pack.

The booklet contains information on the process involved directly after a suicide and what support can be accessed in the community, the types of support offered and how a person might go about contacting this person/service as well as what to expect if they do.

There is also a listing of national support such as websites, helpline contact details along with other supports offered locally.