Funding to support people bereaved by suicide

Derbyshire is set to receive £71,000 in NHS funding to help provide immediate and longer-term support for people bereaved by suicide.

The county is one of 10 areas across the UK which will share over a million pounds worth of funding.

Support can range from one-to-one sessions with trained volunteers or counsellors, as well as signposting to specialist mental health services.

Immediate support for bereaved people will be delivered by suicide prevention charity Harmless via The Tomorrow Project, while Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) will provide longer-term support for anyone bereaved by suicide.

Derbyshire County Council is leading on the work, on behalf of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

Cllr Carol Hart, DCC's Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: "We're working with partners including Derbyshire Healthcare NHS FT, Derbyshire coroner’s service and Derbyshire police to develop a joined-up offer of support for people in Derbyshire.

"This support can be accessed at any point following bereavement by suicide and builds on the work already taking place in Derbyshire around suicide prevention." 

Statistics show that nine per cent of people affected by suicide will also attempt to take their own life, while eight per cent will drop out of work.

The tailored help will be implemented in every region across the country by 2023/24, as part of a commitment set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.

Ifti Majid, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, who leads Joined Up Care - Derbyshire’s Mental Health Delivery Group, said: “The suicide of a loved one can affect an individual in a host of different and complex ways and it is not always easy for that person’s neighbours, colleagues or friends to know what to say or do.

“This additional support will help those bereaved by suicide to properly explore their grief and, in time, begin the healing process. It is a very welcome addition to the efforts being made across Derbyshire to address and prevent suicide and self-harm.”

The total amount being allocated this year across ten areas is £1,082,000.