SURVIVORS OF SU***DESTRATEGIC PLAN 2015-2018
INTRODUCTION
Survivors of Su***de support Group, SOS was formed in September 2006 as a response to the rise in Su***de’s in the East Belfast Area. We at this time felt that in the East & South of the city and also the Castlereagh Area there was no one or place people could turn to for help. The group was set up by and is run by the family and friend
s of those who lost their lives to Su***de and it's aim is to provide help and comfort to those left behind, we try to provide a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen and give if possible an honest answer to the many questions that are asked in the aftermath of a sudden death by su***de. We give families a safe place to talk about their loss when they are ready. We in the group are no different to anyone else who this has happened to but through our own experience we feel that we can help by relating our own stories from our own losses. Many family and friends have gotten a lot of help from the group and many of those with us now are getting in their own words “Something they could not get anywhere else” we in the S.O.S group also provide other services for the families and friends. We can put family members in touch with counsellors and complimentary therapists we can also provide the families and friends with information on all matters relating to the aftermath of this type of death. We can arrange training on matters relating to su***de and helping people to recognise the signs when a loved one is at risk of su***de. OUR VISION
A su***de free society where there is no stigma and people are educated, aware and understanding. That people feel able to talk freely and know and recognise that help and support are always accessible and available. OUR MISSION
Supporting those who have been bereaved or affected by su***de, with referrals for the most appropriate support and raising awareness
OUR VALUES
• We believe in a shared vision, accessible to all
• Peer led organisation to enable shared experiences
• Supporting families who have been bereaved by su***de and offering appropriate support
• Offering information and signposting to those affected and at risk of su***de
• Supporting and educating the community to rise awareness of su***de
• Services freely provided to those in need
• To work in partnership with other community based organisations with the same ethos
• Volunteers are vital to the operation of the organisation and will be provided with appropriate support, training and expenses
• We will seek out new avenues of fundraising and host events to enable service delivery and self sufficiency
• We will operate to models of best practice with appropriate governance and policies in place-compassion
• Empathy
• Trust and Respect
• Feeling comfortable with each other
• Listening
• Honesty
• No airs and graces
• Shared experiences
• Support
• Talking to each other
• Helping and supporting each other and the community
• Educating the community and the organisation
• Second family
• Friendship and love
SURVIVORS OF SU***DE BELIEVE THAT
• That each and every family receive appropriate support after a bereavement by su***de if they ask
• That each response is individual and based on the person's needs rather than the organisations.
• That all families and people affected by su***de need a different response and some may not want help until months after the death by su***de.
• That we need to listen to the community and families about their needs and plan the support appropriately.
• This is a community problem and one organisation can not tackle the issue alone, we all need to work together and support each other. OUR PURPOSE
The Organisation is established to help alleviate distress and offer assistance to people who have suffered loss through su***de or anguish through self-harm by loved ones,
in particular by the development of support systems within the community;
Advance the education of the public and raise awareness of the causes and effects of su***de and self-harm and into matters relating to the nature of grieving, bereavement and the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals that self-harm. To offer support for family and friends bereaved and or affected by su***de. To connect families and friends bereaved through su***de in East Belfast/Castlereagh and give relevant advice on help and support available. To create a group for families to express their needs and concerns and facilitate action to address them. OUR OBJECTIVES
• Alleviate distress
• educate the public
• support family and friends
• group for families to express needs and concerns
• connect families and friends
• Signposting people at risk of su***de
PROJECTS
We have a monthly support group for families to come together to share and talk about their experiences. We can help with advice on information on a range of issues. Each year we hold a celebration of life event to remember loved ones lost to su***de. We have respite weekends and diversionary activities to help families bereaved. We can offer one to one support to deal with a number of issues that families have to face in the aftermath of a su***de. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ideas to help and support families bereaved and increase awareness of help and support available around su***de . REPRESENTATION AND LOBBYING
We have members who sit on the SSIB (su***de strategy implementation body), Family Voices forum, The Bamford mental health group, the south and east Belfast community of interest for mental health and su***de and the East Belfast community development agency. The SOS group work closely with other su***de prevention organisations across Northern Ireland and Belfast. We have been lobbying and campaigning for a walk in centre within East for people in crisis for support and we are constantly lobbying the Health trusts and the Public health Agency as well as the DHSSPS and the health minister for better help and support for people in crisis and their families as well as families who have been bereaved by su***de. We will also help and make referrals for people with thoughts or attempts of su***de across East Belfast and Castlereagh. CONTEXT
Su***de is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors
involved. Every year, almost one million people die from su***de; a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 100,000. In the last 45 years su***de rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Su***de worldwide was estimated to represent 1.3% of the total global burden of disease in 2004. LOCAL CONTEXT
A number of issues affect how we deal with su***de prevention and postvention in East Belfast/Castlereagh.
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have a number of housing estates and areas and find it difficult to work together
• East Belfast/Castlereagh is a hugely populated area
• East Belfast/Castlereagh people are very proud and find it difficult to talk openly about their problems and issues
• In East Belfast there is still a huge issue around stigma associated with su***de and mental ill health
• Local communities in East Belfast/Castlereagh do not like outsiders coming in to the area and telling them how they are going to work, they want to be consulted and engaged into meaningful partnerships that work for their area
• Communities in East Belfast/Castlereagh feel like a forgotten people, they feel disengaged, disenfranchised and that there is a disparancy and no equity in how funding and services are rolled out in East Belfast/Castlereagh compared to other parts of Belfast
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have high levels of unemployment
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have high levels of people in receipt of out of work benefits and disability benefits
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have high levels of child poverty
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have high levels of children with mental health and behavioural issues i.e. ADHD, Autism, Aspergers syndrome
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have high levels of people who are illiterate and have no qualifications
• East Belfast/Castlereagh have high levels of people suffering from depression and other mental ill health issues
• Over the last year East Belfast/Castlereagh have seen high rates of protests and violence
• People from East Belfast/Castlereagh want services based in the local communities rather than having to travel across town, having to get 2 buses to receive the help and support they need. Unfortunately people are struggling to eat, heat their homes and provide for their children so finding extra money to travel across town is a huge issue
In the midst of a su***de in a community there is often confusion and a lack of understanding about what can be done to address the problem. STRATEGIC AIMS & OBJECTIVES
1. INCREASE THE MALE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SOS GROUP
• encourage more males bereaved by su***de to seek help and support by targeting males
• organise male orientated events
• target males bereaved by su***de and get their views on what they need specifically.
2. PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING OF SOS-
• design and print posters to display in local community
• contact local media - radio and newspapers
• link with media contacts already made i.e.: BBC radio ulster, blast 106, cool FM, u105, Ivan little, George Jones, kirsty mcmurray, Tara mills, lynda bryans, Louise Cullen
• use Facebook, twitter and website to get news out on ongoing work of SOS.
3. INCREASE VOLUNTEERS IN SOS BY 3 TO SUPPORT THE COMMITTEE AND AID WITH THE DAY TO DAY RUNNING IN LINE WITH VOLUNTEER ROLES DRAWN UP -
• advertise for specific roles
• organise training for new volunteer roles
• source funding specifically for volunteering
SOS COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF THE SUPPORT GROUP WILL PLAN AND WORK ON THESE AIMS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
