The NSW Government is investing $4.54 million in post-suicide care to provide a range of practical and psychological services to NSW residents bereaved or impacted by suicide.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the state-wide services will range from one-to-one counselling and family therapy, to supporting grieving loved ones to liaise with police, the coroners and media.

“It is estimated that up to 135 people can be impacted by a single suicide,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We’re building a specialised workforce that can provide both practical and emotional support – from accessing existing services to explaining a suicide death to young children.”

$4.2 million will be invested in StandBy Support After Suicide to enable the leading post-suicide support service to expand its footprint and range of services across NSW.

In partnership with Jesuits Social Services, Roses in the Ocean and University of New England, StandBy will focus on reaching bereaved families and friends, first responders and witnesses to suicide.

“The devastating impact of suicide does not stop at family and friends. It extends to neighbours, colleagues, emergency workers on scene, and members of the general public,” Mrs Taylor said.

“The new services will be developed in partnership with people who have lived experience of suicide, so we can respond effectively to the pain and needs of NSW communities.”

$367,000 will also be invested in Postvention Australia, the national suicide bereavement peak organisation, to host information webinars, create a bereavement pack and service directory, as well as run a one-semester Suicide Bereavement Care course for professionals supporting people bereaved by suicide.

This initiative is part of Towards Zero Suicides, a Premier’s Priority that is delivering an $87 million investment over three years in new suicide prevention initiatives.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

​​