HealthInfo Canterbury
Support after a suicide attempt (for family & friends)
It's very hard to deal with the fact that someone you're close to has attempted suicide or has killed themselves.
If they have attempted suicide, it can be difficult knowing they felt this was an option for them. We cannot always understand why people have these thoughts even if we are close to them. Getting them the help they need will also help you in dealing with the situation.
Sharing what has happened and how you're feeling with whānau/family and friends allows you to support each other. You may also need to get help through your GP or a mental health professional.
If the person has died, you'll have the hurt of this grief and loss to deal with. Grief is personal and there is no right or wrong way to go through it.
There are resources to help you deal with this very difficult challenge.
WAVES programme and support group
WAVES is an eight-week practical, supportive educational programme for people bereaved by suicide. The programme is for groups of six to eight people, facilitated by professional counsellors and educators. It's available to people aged 18 or older. See the Skylight website for more information.
For programme dates, contact Yellow Brick Road on (03) 366‑9284 or 0800‑876‑682.
Victim Support
Victim Support offers support after a suicide with specially trained bereavement service specialists. Police will contact Victim Support to arrange the service after a suicide has happened. But you can also self-refer. They will also provide support if the suicide happened outside New Zealand. Phone: 0800‑842‑846.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Mental Health Foundation – Suicide: bereavement
Advice and resources for those left behind after a suicide. It includes advice on how to support someone who is coping with the suicide of someone close.
- After a Suicide
After a Suicide is a website that offers practical information and guidance if you've lost a loved one to suicide: a friend, a member of your whānau/family, a colleague at work or someone else you were close to.
- Skylight – Suicide
This page has links to articles about suicide, as well as advice on how to support people going through tough times.
- Aoake te Rā
Aoake te Rā is a free service that provides support and manaaki to individuals, whānau and communities who have lost someone to suicide. Trained providers give support face to face, online or over the phone.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by chief of Psychiatry, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed October 2020.
SourcesReview key: HISUH-48714
