The presentation will adopt a podcast style interview format to explore the importance of initial contact in shaping suicide bereavement care pathways. Through reflections and discussions with members of a national suicide bereavement phone support team, the session will delve into how these first interactions can set the foundation for trauma-informed, suicide grief-informed care.
A key focus will be on the concept of ‘readiness to connect’ – to enable all callers to have a positive experience of seeking support - and the approaches used by phone support team workers to establish safe and supportive environments. These practices are described and discussed and it will be shown how they are essential for facilitating a caller’s access to high quality bereavement care, both through a suicide postvention program and through other local professional and natural support networks available in their region.
Audience participation – through facilitated question and answer segments – will be encouraged throughout the session, fostering a shared exploration of best practices in providing initial support to individuals impacted by suicide loss. This interactive discussion will highlight the importance of trauma-informed care, effective communication strategies, and the role of initial call takers in guiding people toward long-term support systems.