In recognition of the role that suicide bereavement support groups have in helping people cope after the loss of a loved one to suicide, WHO has released a new resource Preventing suicide: how to start a suicide bereavement support group with guidance on setting one up.
Suicide bereavement support groups offer a wide range of benefits that can help people navigate the difficult time following a loss. A support group provides a chance to break the silence and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide by creating a space where people can openly discuss their grief and honour their loved ones. It also serves as a source of information about suicide and bereavement. While support groups have gained recognition as a vital means of providing for the needs of the bereaved, they are not a replacement for professional help but rather a valuable complement.
Collectively, these resources represent a critical link in a broad and collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders – governments, health professionals, medico-legal officers, educators, social agencies, legislators, law enforcers, statisticians, social communicators, media professionals, religious leaders, people with lived experience of suicide or self-harm, and communities – all committed to advancing suicide prevention.
More than 720 000 people tragically lose their lives to suicide each year, with families, friends, peers, colleagues and communities bereaved and profoundly affected.