Bereavement booklet launched

Mystic Poems and Healing was recently launched at a ceremony of lights event, held to provide an opportunity for bereaved families to meet and share experiences in the run up to Christmas.

The booklet contains inspirational stories from people bereaved by suicide and poetry written by Barney Glasgow, who lost his son to suicide. The personal stories will hopefully help others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Over 70 people who have been bereaved by suicide attended the ceremony of lights, which included carol singing and lighting candles to remember the loved ones they have lost. During the ceremony, Barney highlighted his positive experience of receiving support through the Bereaved by Suicide Project, an initiative put in place by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in recognition of the devastating effect suicide can have on family and friends.

Through this project, one-to-one counselling by trained bereavement councillors and support groups are available free of charge to families and friends at any stage after their loss. The project was developed through the Northern Area Promoting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Steering Group and is funded by the Public Health Agency.

Danielle Gallagher, bereavement support worker said: “The event was an opportunity for families to come together at Christmas time and remember their loved ones. Each family received a copy of the bereavement booklet along with an angel of hope.

“The booklets will help people to know that they are not grieving alone and over 1000 copies will be made available to bereaved family and friends.

“As Christmas can be a very difficult time, it was a great opportunity for families to meet and make new connections with those in the same situation.”

If you have been bereaved by suicide and would like more information on the project, call 028 2563 6607 or email [email protected]

If you are in distress or despair for any reason and need support, contact Lifeline, Northern Ireland’s confidential 24/7 crisis helpline on 0808 808 8000.

It is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.