Free support for suicide bereaved

A local Samaritans branch is linking with another charity to provide free support sessions for people who have lost a friend, relative or colleague to suicide.

The Exeter, Mid & East Devon Samaritans and the Devon branch of Cruse Bereavement Care are jointly arranging the groups, each of which is open to up to eight people who can share their experiences and offer each other support.

The aim is to attract those bereaved three months or longer ago, who are then encouraged to attend sessions on six consecutive weeks in central Exeter.

The sessions are led by experienced Samaritans and Cruse volunteers with specialist training to help those bereaved by suicide. People can sign up online at www.facingthefuturegroups.org

“Only people who’ve been in this position can really understand what it’s like. So the opportunity for them to speak with others, feeling the same way, is incredibly valuable” says Helen Crossfield, Exeter, Mid and East Devon Samaritans director.

The programme of sessions has the title Facing The Future and has received funding from the Department of Health to operate in six pilot areas around the UK - one is Devon.