This program, being trialed by the two organisations, is set to deliver a much needed service to support those experiencing one of the major issues we face as a community currently.
With the growing need to better support and resource our community in Canberra, in light of an increase in the number of lives lost to suicide, Lifeline Canberra and Canberra Grief Centre will commence delivery of a meaningful and measured program to support those in distress, identify individuals at high risk, and develop mechanisms for coping and self-care.
The inaugural program will accommodate between 10 and 12 participants, adults aged 18 years and over, between three months and three years bereaved, and will run over three months. Central to the program is the provision of a safe and validating environment to enable connections, normalising grief and healthy coping.
We are encouraging community members bereaved by suicide, who feel this may be helpful to them or a family member, contact us at Lifeline Canberra for more information and how to apply.
Lifeline Canberra CEO, Carrie Leeson, stated that “we are committed to supporting our community, in a meaningful way, wherever possible and we have found that an increasing number of people are struggling with loss around suicide.”
This is not a service for which Lifeline Canberra is funded but the organisation believes that is a critical issue that needs to be met with evidence based resources. As a result, Lifeline Canberra is providing the funding itself to get this program out to the community as soon as possible.
Canberra Grief Centre Director and Bereavement Counsellor, Sonia Fenwick stated “the needs of grief can be different for everyone. This program offers another option for bereaved families in the ACT. It is a privilege to collaborate with Lifeline Canberra in realising this shared vision; to enable families bereaved by suicide to live well in the midst of their loss”.
