Help is at hand is a resource foe people bereaved by suicide and other sudden, traumatic death

When you first discover that someone close to you has died unexpectedly by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death, you will probably experience a range of emotions and physical sensations. Sometimes it is clear that a relative or friend’s death is suicide, but often it is not. Tez and Tez 1

Uncertainty may arise from the death being completely unexpected or because of the way in which the person died, for example by drowning or drug overdose.

Bereavement after suicide can be particularly difficult to cope with, and many people who are bereaved
in this way find it hard to get the help they need. Thousands of people die by suicide every year in
England and Wales. Some self inflicted deaths receive a coroner’s verdict of suicide, but many are given an open verdict or some other cause of death.

It has been estimated that at least six people are deeply affected by each death. These include:
• parents;
• partners;
• children;
• siblings;
• friends;
• work colleagues;
• teachers;
• healthcare professionals.

This guide is aimed at the wide range of people who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It aims firstly to help people who are unexpectedly bereaved in this way. It also provides information for healthcare and other professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and to suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it.

Please click on the link below to have a look at the full guidance

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Suicide/Documents/Help%20is%20at%20Hand.pdf