A VICTIM of suicide bereavement is helping to organise an event to provide support and de-stigmatise suicide.

The event, Supporting Each Other Through Loss, is at The Forum in Barrow on Saturday, October 15 from 9.30am and is hosted by Suicide Bereavement Support Cumbria.

It is the first event of its kind in the town and is being organised by a local woman, Emily Griffiths, herself suicide bereaved, who is also a volunteer and local facilitator with SBS.

Funding for the event has come from The Hadfield Trust as well as local donors who prefer to remain anonymous, and there has also been a huge amount of publicity support from local businesses, the NHS, community organisations, and individuals.

Emily said: “When my partner died, I had no idea that there was support available from organisations that understand the bereavement, and the impact it had not only on myself but my children.

“This support is not only there for the short term but for all the years that follow. Putting this event together, I’ve still been discovering what the incredibly strong voluntary sector here has to offer, as well as the statutory services.

"When someone experiences a complex bereavement, everyone really want to ‘do the right thing’ but it can be difficult to know what that is, or the full range of support being offered locally. By bringing everyone together in one place, I think we can change that and make a big difference for Barrow.”

More than 20 organisations are taking part in the event, including Child Bereavement UK, Samaritans, The Farming Community Network, Mind in Furness, Winston’s Wish, the Bluebell Foundation and the Coroners’ Courts Support Service as well as Every Life Matters and Health Watch.

Supporting Each Other Through Loss is a day in two halves. In the morning, stalls and presentations will raise awareness across Barrow of the support that’s available following bereavement.

The morning will be opened by Andy Airey of Three Dads Walking, includinga presentation by Bev Bishop, who lost her son to suicide, and will be closed at about 12.30pm by Simon Fell MP.

In the afternoon, Bev will lead a workshop session, especially for those who have been bereaved by suicide, and workshop participants are invited to join us for a light lunch beforehand.