Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service (GSASS)
Gloucestershire Suicide Bereavement Support Service (GSASS), has been chosen and commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council and delivered by Rethink Mental Illness. This includes working with CYP, Schools, Colleges and families.
We provide free, confidential support to anyone of any age who has been bereaved or affected by suicide. This includes children and young people, parents, carers, and school or college staff. Our support is non-clinical and person-centred, and includes:
- One-to-one emotional and practical support
- Guidance around processes such as the coroner and inquest
- Support with navigating services and accessing specialist help where needed
- Peer support opportunities
- Support for parents/carers to help them support their children
While we are not a clinical service, we work alongside other organisations and can support with referrals and signposting to ensure individuals receive the right level of care.
Given the impact suicide bereavement can have on children and young people—often affecting emotional wellbeing, attendance, and engagement in education—we are keen to ensure that schools and colleges are aware of the support available.
For more information you can get in contact via:
Website: Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service
Support GSASS Provide:
One to one support
- Person-centred, emotional support to talk about the bereavement, discuss coping strategies and find ways of dealing with your loss.
- Practical support including help to navigate processes e.g. police, funeral arrangements, inquests, the media, notifying companies of the death and support to talk to your employer.
- Signposting and referral to other services.
- Providing verbal and written information about bereavement by suicide and other related matters.
Bereavement peer support groups
A provide closed support groups with a maximum of 6 participants. The group is facilitated by a Suicide Bereavement Worker and a volunteer with lived experience of bereavement by suicide. Groups are offered once each week for 12 sessions, lasting up to one and a half hours.
The groups provide:
- A safe and supportive space to discuss and explore, without judgment, the impact of your bereavement upon yourself, your family and those you connect with.
- Share stories and experiences in a safe environment.
- Gain peer support and build connections with others
Bereavement counselling
We provide bereavement counselling for people using our volunteer counsellors for between 6-8 weekly sessions with the option to extend to an additional 8 fortnightly sessions as needed.
Resources
Tagged under: suicide, gloucestershire, support, GSASS, bereavement
