CMHA Waterloo Wellington and Wellington County OPP collaborate for Support after Suicide program

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington and the Wellington County OPP have collaborated to create a new program, Support after Suicide. As part of CMHA WW’s Here4Hope framework, the pilot project will support individuals and families bereaved by suicide in Wellington County.

The impact of suicide on those bereaved can be significant and lasting, yet it is often difficult to reach out for support after losing someone to suicide. Accessible, timely, and compassionate support that focuses on the unique needs of those bereaved can help to foster resilience and hope in the face of tragic loss, and is the reason for the Support after Suicide program.

The Support after Suicide team includes a Mental Health Clinician, Peer Navigator and an OPP Officer, and offers bereavement counselling, grief groups, resources and referrals to other community supports. A Peer Navigator is also part of the team, bringing lived experience with loss of loved ones to suicide. The team can also provide education and support to workplaces, teams, congregations or community groups who have been impacted by a suicide loss.

With team members located in one of the Guelph CMHA offices, as well as the Fergus OPP headquarters, the Support After Suicide team is set up to receive referrals from Victim Services, directly from the OPP. In addition, the public can access the team directly through phone (1-844-CMHAWW3 x7951 (264-2993)) or email at sas@cmhaww.ca, or through Here24/7.

Working within our communities, through outreach, education and ongoing collaboration, the Support after Suicide team aims to build support networks that can help to reduce the stigmatization of suicide. Suicide postvention is prevention for now and future generations.

The Support after Suicide program is funded through a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

If you are in crisis or wish to discuss whether CMHA has the right service for you, call Here 24/7: 1-844-437-3247 (HERE 247).