Suicide is being recognised as one of the most harmful events that can happen in communities, the ripple effect causing trauma for family and friends who are left to grieve, often feeling they should have been able to prevent a death.

Tracie Cavanagh is a support worker for ‘StandBy Support – After Suicide’, and says the Living Well Expo held in Dubbo this month is mainstream recognition that we, a community as a whole, need to work together to help prevent unnecessary deaths, and also help those who have been left behind.

“We’re first responders, we look after family members and witnesses; in the community, and in schools, the effects from suicide ricochet out – like a stone dropping in a lake, the hurt just spreads like ripples,” she said.

A major problem, she says, is the difficulty many family and friends have when it comes to helping those who are suffering; when they’re not sure what to say, or what to do, or concerned they may be intruding on someone’s private grieving.

“We do workshops as well to assist people who want to know ‘what do I say’, ‘what do I do’ to help people. (They’re for) those who want to support but aren’t sure how to go about things at such a difficult and sensitive time,” Tracie said.

“It’s so important for the mental health of the people who want to help that they can be shown how they can help, with confidence.

“People who are directly impacted by suicide are eight times more likely to go on and suicide themselves if they don’t receive adequate support, so it’s really important that communities and organisations get behind these people who’ve been affected and are really there for them.”

She’s a firm believer in collaboration, with StandBy already working to up-skill other local organisations “because if people contact them, and they know how to help, they’re less likely to fall through the cracks”.

“We offer free workshops to anyone in our local community, and other organisations. Our workshops can be tailored to meet their requirements, because we work collaboratively with other organisations and support the clients. It’s really important that they know what we do, and we know what they do, so we can support the client holistically.”

* If you or someone you know needs support, please call:

131114 – Lifeline, lifeline.org.au

1800 551800 – Kids Helpline, kidshelpine.com.au