Why you joined the Advisory Group

Standby Murray was my light in the dark after my sister died by suicide in late 2017, the personalised support and 12 months of contact after the initial house visit, gave a voice to my grief and understanding of the complexity of suicide.

The deafening silence and stigma I felt trying to return to a form of “normality” was only adding to my trauma and distress, it was the skills and knowledge I learnt during a workshop facilitated by StandBy called ‘What do I do? What do I say?’ that ignited a passion for me to not only be able to give back to a service that helped me tremendously but to see the powerful impact it made personally when I was able to use those new skills and be able to connect and support a work colleague bereaved by suicide in 2018.

What would you like to see the group achieve?

Breaking down the stigma through continued training, awareness and education, advocating for StandBy- Support After Suicide, support and information including client packs to be made available to all families bereaved by suicide within 24 hours, to collaborate with and listen to services to make an impact and bring around much needed reform to systems where individuals and families are falling through the gaps. Raising awareness of the powerful impact that can be achieved with peer support networks and systems.

What have you gained by taking part?

I have not only gained 9 beautiful friends, but have been given the privilege to hear the voices, stories and pain of the ripple effect that takes place after being bereaved by suicide, even though complex and individual, I have found a strength in not feeling isolated and alone in my feelings and passion for change, this has given me the opportunity to give back to my own community contributing to the place based suicide prevention trial, and being part of setting up my hometown’s first suicide prevention network.

What would you like the public to know about suicide?

That the stigma can end and suicide is preventable, everyone can take responsibility in speaking safely and openly about suicide, especially if someone is bereaved by suicide they need your support as the silence has lasting impacts, we all have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Postvention is Prevention!
‘Ubuntu- I am because we are’