StandBy Counselling & Peer Support

StandBy now offers Peer Support and a Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service (SBCS) across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory to further support those impacted by suicide loss.

Standby peer support factsheet

Peer Support

Peer workers with lived experience of suicide bereavement have joined the local StandBy teams to offer holistic, wrap around peer support for people bereaved or impacted by suicide. Peer support primarily focuses on the relationship between a person bereaved or impacted by suicide and a peer worker, where their mutual experience and understanding of losing someone to suicide allows for a deeper connection.

Peer workers:

  • Offer 1:1 individual support
  • Over the phone, online or in community following an initial support session from the StandBy team
  • Listen and offer support that is respectful, empathetic, non-judgemental and compassionate
  • Use their shared experience to support a person’s growth through their own grief journey
  • Develop peer support plans in collaboration with the person supported

Peer support is underpinned by the following core values:

  • Mutuality
  • Connection
  • Dignity and respect
  • Empathy
  • Compassionate curiosity
  • Non-judgement
  • Honesty and transparency
  • Authenticity
  • Hope
  • Self-determination

Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service (SBCS)

StandBy offers a virtual Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service delivered by a team of experienced counsellors and group facilitators with specialisation in suicide bereavement.

The service is available via telephone or online telehealth (TEAMS) between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday (AEST).

Who is eligible to seek support?
Individuals who:

  • Are actively engaged with StandBy through their local StandBy team
  • Are assessed by the counselling team as being likely to benefit
    from suicide bereavement counselling
  • Reside in one of the following States or Territories: Victoria, New
    South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory

Counselling offers:

  • A safe and personalised environment for individuals to explore the impact of their loss with trained counsellors
  • A person-centred approach, tailoring support to individuals’ unique needs
  • Evidence-based strategies and psychoeducation to support
    integration of the loss

To access StandBy peer support or the Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service, individuals can find out more information on how to access these services through your local StandBy site on 1300 727 247 in participating States and Territories.

australia-counselling-map

Services now available in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory to further support those impacted by suicide loss.

QIP Accredited Logo

StandBy is QIP Accredited as an organisation. Implemented by Suicide Prevention Australia and assessed by independent, not-for-profit accreditation provider, Quality Innovation Performance Limited (QIP), the Suicide Prevention Accreditation Program supports organisations to deliver safe, high-quality and effective suicide prevention and postvention programs.

Inclusivity flags

StandBy respectfully acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and emerging. We are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive.

StandBy acknowledges and pays respect to elders, advocates, activists, and allies of our LGBTIQA+SB communities. We affirm the support provided and acknowledge the cost involved in standing up for the rights of LGBTIQA+SB people.

StandBy recognises and honours the continued contribution of those with a lived experience of suicide bereavement. The courage, insight and wisdom of these unique experiences, strengthens the work that we do. We also acknowledge and remember the lives that have ended due to suicide and we encourage ongoing support and care for yourself and each other.

StandBy – An initiative of Youturn jointly funded by the Australian Commonwealth, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Victorian Governments.

For immediate crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or QLife on 1800 184 527 or 13yarn.org.au on 13 92 76. In case of an emergency, call 000.

StandBy Head Office
1B Maud Street,
Nambour
QLD 4560

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