Bereaved by suicide support

• Lifeline facilitates a support group (SOS - Survivors of Suicide) for the family and friends of those who have died by suicide in Newcastle, Central Coast and Maitland. Please find out more below and use the form to contact our team to find out more.
  
• Touched by Suicide: Wellbeing support guide available online CLICK HERE

Bereavement Support Helplines:

Griefline
is a free and confidential helpline that can be accessed 7 days a week. In addition to its helpline, Griefline offers a range of free information, resources, and other support options to help you or someone you care about cope with grief, loss or loneliness. Call Griefline 7 days a week between 8am and 8pm (AEST/AEDT) via 1300 845 745.

Roses in the Ocean
offers free support to those bereaved by suicide through their Peer CARE Companion Warmline and an online resource hub. The warmline is a safe, compassionate space for individuals to connect with trained peer companions who have also experienced suicide loss, while the online resource hub has videos, podcasts, stories, poems, and downloadable tools to help you understand and cope with suicide loss. For phone support, call the 24/7 Peer CARE Companion Warmline (1800 777 337). You'll be asked to leave a message and will receive a phone call within 48 hours.


StandBy
provides free and confidential telephone, text, and/or face-to-face support for anyone in Australia bereaved or impacted by a suicide death or attempt. StandBy can be reached via telephone, text, and online contact form between 6am and 10pm seven days a week.

• Telephone: 1300 727 247
• Text*: 0428 842 041
• StandBy’s online contact form

• Your journey is your journey –it is very personal.
• Take all the time you need, be who you are in your attempt to make sense of this tragedy.
• Do not compare your grief to anyone else's; if you are married do not compare it to your spouse's, if you are a parent don't compare it to your children's.
• No one can tell you what time frame your grief will last – there isn't one.
• No one can tell you how to grieve – there is no rule book.
• You have the possibility of developing a greater sense of compassion and empathy – when you come across someone who is having a hard time, you can be empathetic because you are also that person.
• Be gentle with yourself –don't expect too much of yourself.
• Everyone's grief looks different.
• People will tell what you should and shouldn't do i.e. it's time to move on or get over it – these are very hurtful words to hear.
• You have to find a new way to live.
• Time doesn't heal – it would be great if people were truthful – time doesn't heal but over time the pain does dull.
• I felt so alone and couldn't find comfort from my family and friends but being with others who had lost a loved one to suicide was what allowed me to not be alone in my grief.
• I have come to a place where I can be thankful for what they gave me and I have survived and can find joy again –something I never thought possible.
• Even though my sadness is close to the surface every day, I can both hear other people's stories and share my own.

If you are feeling sad, it is always good to talk to someone who cares. Lifeline is here to listen 24/7 call our crisis line on 13 11 14.

Survivors of Suicide support groups are available in Newcastle, Maitland and Central Coast for those bereaved by suicide.

• It’s about support
• Connecting with others
• Talking and sharing experiences

Join us for a meeting at one of our locations:

Newcastle
Lifeline, 12 Maitland Rd, Islington
First Wednesday of each month, 6-8pm

Maitland
Community Centre, 22 Bruce St, East Maitland
First Sunday of each month, 2-4pm

Central Coast
Lifeline Wyoming, 15 Cary St, Wyoming
First Saturday of each month, 2-4pm

How to join the group

Support groups are run monthly by a Suicide Grief and Loss Facilitator, and are free to attend. Please contact us to find out more information and the next date.

Complete the form below.