Mental Health Foundation launches new website

Mental Health Foundation launches new website for people bereaved by suicide

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 2 August 2017

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) has launched a new website, After a Suicide, offering friends, whānau and family practical information and guidance after a loved one or someone close to them dies by suicide.

“A death by suicide is sudden, shocking and traumatic for the people left behind. The first days can seem like a blur. There is a lot of information to take in, difficult decisions to make and people may have many questions,” MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson says. “We hope this website will help.”

The website includes information about:
• What to do when you first hear about a suicide
• How to let others know
• Dealing with the practical
• Official processes and people involved
• Looking after yourself and others
• Getting ongoing help and support

The website has information about where to find immediate and on-going help and support from free phone counsellors, organisations, peer-support groups and reading material.

There’s also advice about ways to tell people about the news of a death by suicide and how to deal with difficult questions.

People bereaved by suicide can feel overwhelmed when faced with official police and coronial processes and the number of practical things that need to be done like organising a person’s will, death certificate and a funeral or tangi.

“The website explains what people can expect from official processes, who they will be in contact with from different agencies like Victim Support and the Police, and we offer ideas about how people bereaved by suicide can get support from professional services, whānau, workmates and neighbours during the often stressful process.”

The After a Suicide website is run by the Mental Health Foundation on behalf of the Ministry of Health. It is part of a wider project to improve information for people who have lost someone they love or care about.

The website draws on New Zealand and international research, and on the experiences of individuals and families bereaved by suicide in New Zealand.

The website can be found here:
https://www.afterasuicide.nz/

ENDS

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