By Parker McKenzie
A support program for people impacted by suicide will hold a free community workshop at Ferntree Gully Library on Wednesday 24 May from 1pm to 4pm, to discuss the support available through the organisation for those dealing with trauma and grief.
Standby is a national postvention service and offers services for coordinated community response to suicide, funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments.
StandBy Outreach Worker Melinda Whyman said the organisation is working with people all over Australia that are impacted by a suicide loss and on the well-being of the bereaved people.
“We can offer support in a number of ways, but most commonly we will connect with people that have been bereaved and organise what’s called a support session,” she said.
“This is going out to offer them time either in their home or a place that’s comfortable for them to listen to what has happened and to understand what their needs are in their bereavement.”
She said StandBy’s job is to link impacted people with support services within their local community and to support them in an ongoing way.
“We offer support for up to 24 months after meeting with people, so it’s a good long-term support service just to ensure that people stay safe and they feel supported through that process,” she said.
“We know there are increased levels of depression and anxiety and other possible self-harm through the experience of being impacted by suicide, so it’s really important our focus is on reducing risk for those people. “
The Ferntree Gully workshop will examine the StandBy Service Model, what makes suicide different from other sudden death, support approaches and best practice, and self-care.
Ms Whyman said research indicates that for every death of suicide, 135 people are impacted and ten or more of those are significantly impacted.
“We know that the ripple effect of that means that families, individual families and communities are at documented risk themselves, not only through their own suicidality but also impacts on mental health, and future mental health,” she said.
The workshop will also cover material for communities and local organisations that are interested in being more prepared and available to assist those affected.
Ms Whyman said research shows that often there is often a stigma associated with suicide.
“That’s a big part of our work, to really reduce the stigma and to really help guide people around,” she said.
“The education is there to try and address both things, reduce stigma, inform and empower people to understand and know more about how to act in the community themselves. As a result, the prevention aspect of the work is to reduce further impact going forward for that community.”
She said StandBy is also available to offer ongoing workshops in the community or support on an individual basis.
“It’s good for people to know that no matter how long, if they’re bereaved by suicide, it doesn’t matter what that timeline looks like, we’re available,” Ms Whyman said.
“They can refer themselves to the service, and they can certainly attend the workshop, but we’d also like people to know that Standby is available within their community to anyone at any time.”
For more information about the workshop, contact Vanessa Dhondee on 0484 501 951 or email standby@jss.org.au
