Overview

The issue of suicide continues to raise feelings of fear, doubt and confusion (among other feelings) in our society. Research indicates that people bereaved through suicide are at greater risk of suicide themselves. In contrast to this, many people bereaved through suicide become the greatest advocates for suicide prevention strategies in our community.

This workshop will lead participants through a brief history of how our society has responded to suicide and consider the ways in which this influences how we respond to the needs of those bereaved through suicide today. The notion of effective grief and bereavement support as a suicide prevention strategy will be explored, with strategies offered to re-enforce this idea. The workshop will engage participants in understanding the particular issues and questions that arise for those bereaved through suicide and the ways in which they can be addressed.

Designed For:

Professionals working with those who have experienced bereavement through suicide, such as teachers, counsellors, nurses, therapists, psychologists and other allied health professionals.

 
Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

•  describe the ways in which our society has historically responded to suicide and the influence of these responses on the suicide bereaved,       
• identify and describe the range of issues, questions and experiences that face the suicide bereaved,
  
• identify effective support strategies for, and resources that can be used by, those bereaved through suicide,
• utilise an understanding of suicide and suicide bereavement to inform effective grief and bereavement support and possible suicide prevention strategies for the suicide bereaved.

Presenter