Kirklees Together

A new service to support people bereaved or affected by suicide goes live on Monday 2 December across West Yorkshire including Kirklees. The service is a response to the fact that people bereaved by suicide are more likely to suffer from severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, or even adopt suicidal behaviours themselves.

The new service is central to West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership’s plan to improve bereavement support, while it works to reduce the numbers of suicides too.

What support will be available?

Support on offer, which will enhance suicide bereavement support services across the region, will include practical advice and signposting to other much needed services, for example counselling or financial advice.

A number of workshops are running throughout December and people will be able to self-refer or be referred by other people such as employers, NHS staff, West Yorkshire Police, funeral directors and coroners across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.

Rob Webster, CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and CEO for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said:

“As someone personally affected by suicide, I understand the impact it can have on individuals, families and other people too. This service will provide essential help to those facing one of the hardest issues to face. This is something that I hope becomes less needed as we reduce suicides through our other work to help more people.”

Yorkshire and Humber has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership is driving a collaborative approach to reduce suicide and improve services. It is working towards reducing suicide by 10% across the region and by 75% in targeted areas.

Can I make a referral or visit a support group?

Referrals can be made by visiting West Yorkshire and Harrogate Suicide Bereavement Service website or by calling 0113 305 5800. Practitioners will be based in Bradford, Harrogate, Huddersfield and Leeds but meeting locations will be flexible. Support groups will begin in December at the following locations:

• Kirklees group: Thursday  5 December, 6pm-7.30pm at Support to Recovery – S2R Create Space, Brook Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1EB
• Bradford group: Friday  6 December, 6pm-8pm at Mind in Bradford – Ken Burgh House, 28 Manor Row, Bradford BD1 4QU
• Calderdale group: Wednesday 18 December, 6-8pm at Halifax Fire Station, Skircoat Moor Road, King Cross, Halifax, HX1 3JF
• Craven group: Wednesday 18 December, 6-8pm at Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle, BD24 9DZ
• Harrogate group: Monday 9 December, 6pm-8pm at Mind in Harrogate – Acorn Centre, 101A Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1HB
• Wakefield group: Wednesday 11 December, 6-8pm at Lightwaves Leisure Centre, Lower York St, Wakefield WF1 3LJ