Anglicare WA stands at the forefront of community support, dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate services tailored to the diverse needs of individuals and families across Western Australia. Our extensive postvention team takes a holistic approach to supporting those bereaved by suicide, offering immediate and ongoing assistance through programs such as StandBy, ARBOR for adult suicide bereavement counselling, CYPRESS for children's suicide bereavement counselling, and a dedicated Peer Support program. Our services also include closed and open suicide bereavement support groups, annual events to foster connection amongst those bereaved, financial aid for those in need, and referrals to additional services, both within Anglicare WA and beyond. Each service plays a critical role in providing personalized care to those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
In this presentation, we will explore Anglicare WA's postvention services through the deeply personal story of Jacinta, a mother of two whose husband died by suicide. Following his death, Jacinta faced overwhelming shock, trauma, and limited support as she struggled to navigate her grief while also helping her children cope with theirs. She reached out to Anglicare WA shortly after his passing, beginning her journey with StandBy. She then received individual counselling through ARBOR, enrolled her children in CYPRESS, and connected with Peer Support volunteers. Jacinta will share her journey, highlighting how these interconnected services provided her with the necessary tools and support to navigate the complex first year of grief.
Joining Jacinta on stage will be Anglicare WA’s postvention lead coordinator, WA’s South Metro StandBy coordinator, Anglicare WA’s Peer Support coordinator, an ARBOR counsellor, and a CYPRESS counsellor. Together, under the theme "Together Towards Tomorrow," we will demonstrate how a holistic and collective approach can make a profound difference in the lives of those bereaved by suicide. Through Jacinta’s experience, we will illustrate the power of unity and the importance of fostering hope for those in deep distress after such a significant loss.
Anglicare WA’s initiative on postvention acknowledges that those bereaved by suicide are eight times more likely to die by suicide themselves, with Western Australia’s suicide rates higher than the national average. By addressing past challenges like stigma and silence, limited access to resources and specialised care, social isolation, and cultural barriers, we have advanced toward innovative solutions in suicide prevention, working collectively to meet the unique needs of individuals and families, ultimately fostering resilience and recovery.