Support packs

 

Family members and those with significant attachments to individuals who commit suicide are at increased risk for pathological grief reactions which may include clinically significant depression and suicidal behaviour.

 

When a family member or friend is distressed or suicidal, the people around often do not know how best to support them.

 

Around 250 Western Australian families are bereaved through suicide each year. Family and close friends have very particular support needs in dealing with the acute distress and the longer-term complicated bereavement recovery process.

 

While many people who attempt suicide are not treated in hospital, each year over 3,000 people are admitted to West Australian hospitals after a suicide attempt. Following discharge, these individuals are at higher risk of another suicide attempt in the first weeks and months after discharge.

 

Addressing a need in the community for the provision of relevant information for those supporting someone who is distressed or suicidal, the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention together with the Office for Children and Youth, produced an information pack to help parents and carers better support those being affected by suicidal thoughts. During 2007, the Information and Support Pack for those concerned about someone who is distressed or suicidal was printed and distributed throughout Western Australia to health services and schools. In 2000, the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention, with support from people bereaved by suicide, developed an Information and Support Pack for those Bereaved by Suicide or other Sudden Death which provides important information to assist people in the bereavement recovery process. The pack was adopted nationally in 2003 and in 2007, funding was received to reprint a second edition of the pack. In WA, the pack is distributed by the State Coroner’s Office.

 

Both packs are available online at www.mcsp.org.au/resources