For Professionals
Suicide Bereavement Support Service
It is not a time limited service – people access our help when they feel that they need it.
Our Bereavement Support Officer says; ‘I consider it a privilege to support people during traumatic, distressing and life changing circumstances’.
The loss of a loved one through sudden unexplained death and suicide is a uniquely devastating circumstance. It can create a particularly complex set of feelings in those left behind and leave us with unanswered questions which are hard to resolve We can help you find the path to the right support, understanding and recovery.
Our Suicide Bereavement Service is available to families, friends, colleagues and anyone living in Shropshire Telford & Wrekin who feels affected by a suicide. We offer practical and emotional support to help manage the grieving process, we can support people to manage the procedures that take place after a suicide and we can signpost to any other support that someone may feel they need, including counselling.
How to access the service:
We will accept referrals from anyone affected by a death by suicide or suspected suicide and feels our service can be of help. You can self-refer by contacting the number below and leaving contact details. Or someone can refer on your behalf if you have consented to this e.g. GP, police or other support services/agencies.
We aim to respond to enquiries and referrals within 72 hours.
bereavementsupport@shropshiremhs.com
Contact number
07483 906788
Outreach Support
This service is strictly by referral only from third party professionals.
Our Outreach Support Workers are here to help people in the community who have long-term mental health challenges. They work closely with individuals, respecting their unique needs and goals. By creating personalised action plans, they support people in building the skills they need to manage their mental health and achieve their personal targets.
How to access the service:
This service is referral only
For more information
Shropshire Sanctuary
Shropshire Sanctuary is a multi-award-winning service operated by Shropshire Mental Health support, providing crisis support to the populations of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The service was designed to provide an alternative to a person being subjected to a Section 136 of the Mental Health Act (MHA, 1983), at that time 85% of those who are subject to a S136 were discharged with no immediate follow up support.
Section 136 is part of the Mental Health Act that gives police emergency powers. Police can use these powers if they think you have a mental disorder, you’re in a public place and need immediate help. They can take you to A&E or Redwoods, where your mental health will be assessed.
Impact:
· Established in June 2017, Shropshire Sanctuary has averted over 5,000 potential suicides, approximately 700 per year.
· Freeing Police resources, Shropshire Sanctuary saves the Police the equivalent of 4 full time Police Officers.
· S136s cost approximately £10,000-00 per individual. By averting S136s, Shropshire Sanctuary has saved public services more than £50million to date.
· The success of the service has been so great that 3 other counties have sought information to create their own version of this critical service.
Shropshire Sanctuary was designed to offer a more humanistic and compassionate approach, ensuring people receive immediate support in a warm, friendly environment that respects their dignity. It focusses on the persons needs in a holistic manner, providing support that the person needs, in a timely manner. Every person using the service is transported by a Shropshire MHS funded taxi to a safe place in dignified manner.