Service of reflection for people affected by suicide
PEOPLE affected by suicide are invited to an event in Durham City next month.
Working with partners, Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, through their
joint County Durham and Darlington Coroners Service, have organised a service of reflection which is
open to anyone who has been affected by suicide in some way.
The service takes place at Durham Cathedral on Sunday 7 September from 6pm to 7pm, with this
date chosen as it is close to World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.
Preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it are priorities for both councils and their
Health and Wellbeing Boards. These boards see the councils work with the NHS and Healthwatch
groups, which represent health and social care service users, to improve the health and wellbeing of
people locally.
A number of organisations that provide mental health support have also helped organise the
service and representatives will be at the event to offer assistance to anyone who needs it.
Cllr Darren Grimes, Durham County Council’s Deputy Leader, whose portfolio includes the
Coroners Service, said: “Many people struggle with their mental health, and it is really important
that everyone knows there is support out there for them if they are struggling,
“Sadly though, some people do die by suicide and our Coroners Service naturally comes into
contact with bereaved friends and family as a result. Members of the team fully appreciate how hard
it is for those bereaved by suicide and wanted to help. They came up with the idea of a service and
felt it would be appropriate to arrange it around World Suicide Prevention Day.
“We’d like anyone who has been affected by suicide in any way to feel welcome at this event. We
hope it will give people the chance to reflect in a quiet environment and remember loved ones.
Support will be available to anyone who needs it at any point during the service.
“We hope everyone who attends will find it helpful in some way.”
The service will be presided over by The Vice Dean of Durham Cathedral, The Reverend Canon
Michael Hampel.
Organisations that have helped organise the event and which will be present to provide support
to people are: Samaritans, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, If U Care Share, Survivors of
Bereavement by Suicide, The Compassionate Friends and The Coroners’ Courts Support Service. The
service is also supported by Durham University.
World Suicide Prevention Day is marked annually on 10 September. Find out more at
www.iasp.info/wspd
If you, or someone you know, is suffering from suicidal thoughts or needs support, you or
they can call Samaritans’ helpline on 116 123.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, you or they can call NHS
111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support, 24/7. Anyone who is deaf or has
hearing loss can use NHS 111 – SignVideo or the 18001 111 Relay UK app.
Details of mental health support for both adults and children are available at
www.durham.gov.uk/adultmentalhealthsupport and
www.durham.gov.uk/familiesmentalhealth .
