27 Nov 08

Libby Purves together with Professor Keith Hawton and Dr Ann McPherson, Medical Director of the DIPEx Research Group, at the launch event

People bereaved due to suicide will be able benefit from the experiences of others in the same situation at healthtalkonline.org, the award-winning website based on research from the University of Oxford.

This new web resource features a wide range of experiences and perspectives from people who are young or old, and from those who have recently been bereaved and others reflecting on a suicide that happened some years ago.

Visitors to the site can see, hear and read the contributions of 40 people from many different backgrounds and from all over the UK. They talk of how they have come to terms with the knowledge that someone has taken their own life, and of their first reactions and changing emotions. They recount what happened when telling others, as well as the police involvement, inquest, funeral or commemoration, and sources of support.

Over 5000 people take their own lives each year in the UK, yet friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues of people who have been bereaved in this way often have little real understanding of what it involves. Those going through the experience often feel that it is only other people in the same position that can really understand and help them.

The new section on the www.healthtalkonline.org website and a guide, Help is at Hand, developed by Professor Keith Hawton at the Centre for Suicide Research in the University Oxford, were launched at an event in London with Libby Purves, whose son Nicholas took his own life two and half years ago.

‘It’s not the same for everyone. And what helps isn’t the same either,’ said Libby Purves, speaking at the event. ‘That’s why the wide variety of people on this website will be useful; one may strike a useful note. And you can decide which.’

The online resource is based on interviews carried out by Alison Chapple of the DIPEx health experiences research group at the University of Oxford. Its development was guided by an advisory panel including people who have been through this type of bereavement as well as counsellors, the police, coroners and health professionals.

Summaries of the key issues that matter to people when faced with the aftermath of a suicide are provided online. These cover the main issues that people have raised, including why they thought the suicide took place, suicide notes, GPs and psychiatrists, seeing the body or not being able to do so, the inquest and reactions to the verdict. The help available from professionals, Cruse Bereavement Care, and self-help groups is also covered.

The Help is at Hand guide has information about procedures involved after the death, the coroners inquest and feelings that bereaved people may experience. It also has suggestions on how to cope, sources of support and pointers to useful reading material.

These two new resources will not only help people bereaved due to suicide, but will also help professionals who come into contact with bereaved people to understand the impact of suicide.