Suicide Prevention in New Zealand Support after a Suicide (Postvention) Introduction The Postvention Support Service Resources Definitions Introduction The death of someone by suicide can be a particularly difficult type of bereavement that can leave people with many unanswered questions. The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 acknowledges the wider ramifications of suicide and attempted suicide that impact on family members, whānau, significant others, friends and communities. Goal 6 of the Strategy is to support families, whānau, friends and other affected by suicide and suicide attempt. This is particularly important considering that those who are bereaved by suicide are also at increased risk of suicide themselves. In rare cases a suicide cluster can develop in a community. Most people turn first to their natural support networks (i.e. family, whānau and friends) when a suicide occurs. However, some may want more formal support in the immediate days and weeks following a suicide. Communities also need to access advice and assistance when there is a suspected or emerging suicide cluster. Back to top The Postvention Support Service The Postvention Support Service has been developed as part of the Government's response to addressing the needs of those bereaved by suicide. The Ministry of Health has contracted Victim Support and Clinical Advisory Services Aotearoa (CASA) to deliver the service, which was launched in July 2007. After the first year evaluation, the service was reconfigured and from July 2008 a new model is being trialled. The Postvention Support Service has a strong focus on addressing needs of Māori which includes providing outreach to Māori communities. It consists of three parts: Initial Response Service: Victim Support provides immediate and ongoing practical and emotional support, information and service liaison for those bereaved by suicide. Those delivering this service receive training and clinical supervision. At this stage the service is available in Canterbury, Nelson Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Tairawhiti, Counties Manukau, Waitamata, and Auckland district health board (DHB) areas. Specialist Counselling Service: CASA has developed a network of health professionals that will provide specialist counselling for those bereaved of suicide, free of cost. The service will be available in the seven DHB areas listed above. Community Postvention Response Service: CASA also provides a national service for communities where there are indications of a potential or actual suicide cluster. This includes specialist assistance and support to key community groups who are leading a response. To access the services, contact: Clinical Advisory Service Aotearoa (www.casa.org.nz) Victim Support (www.victimsupport.org.nz) Outside the Postvention Support Service DHB areas (Canterbury, Nelson Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Tairawhiti, Counties Manukau, Waitamata, and Auckland), Victim Support can provide support but it is not a specialised suicide response service. People may also wish to seek support from other services such as general grief counselling services, or their general practitioner. In the Wellington region, the Suicide Postvention Coordinator can provide support and information and can be contacted on (04) 381 4867 or by email at postvention@huttvalleydhb.org.nz. Back to top Resources After a suicide: Practical information for people bereaved by suicide This resource helps people deal with practical issues following a suicide and suggests some ways of answering difficult questions, coping with grief and caring for yourself. After a suicide of someone you know: Information and support for young people (www.spinz.org.nz) This resource provides young people with information about grief reactions, questions that are commonly asked and how to cope with grief. When someone dies – a guide to the Coronial Services of New Zealand (www.justice.govt.nz - PDF 2 MB) The Coronial Services of New Zealand serves the community through investigating circumstances and causes of death in a respectful and professional manner. The findings of these investigations will be used to make recommendations for the improvement of public safety and to prevent deaths in similar circumstances. Guidance for community organisations involved in postvention This resource aims to help community organisations that are providing support to those bereaved by suicide. The document provides information about how organisations can go about establishing a community initiative, as well as suggesting some activities that a community initiative could be involved in. Research reports on support services and resources In 2003, the Ministry of Youth Development commissioned research to identify and assess the types of support services and/or resources needed by families, whānau and significant others bereaved by suicide (postvention) and for those affected by a suicide attempt (post-attempt). Traumatic incident management support for schools and ECE services (www.minedu.govt.nz) This page provides guidelines for the management of traumatic incidents within schools and early childhood services. Back to top Definitions Suicide postvention - refers to community-based support after a suicide that aims to reduce the negative impact of the death and to reduce the potential for further suicidal behaviours. The key objectives of postvention initiatives are to maximise resilience and coping and to minimise risk and distress, and to establish structures and networks to deal with the suicide and its impact. Suicide clusters- are broadly defined as the occurrence in time of usually three or more suicides, greater than the number of suicides which would be expected on the basis of statistical prediction. Clusters are more common amongst young people and may account for 1-13 percent of youth suicides. Clusters often occur within institutions or small communities, including rural and indigenous communities. Back to top Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page.

What to do if you are concerned that someone may be suicidal

Page last updated: 16 April 2009