Bereavement help for those affected by suicide
Just 'B'A new service has been launched in a North Yorkshire town to provide free virtual bereavement support to children and adults who have been affected by suicide.
The Just 'B' charity has been funded by NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and will operate in three Scarborough postcode areas: YO11, YO12 and YO13.
People will be offered talking therapy and support from a trained professional.
Clare Schmidt, director of client services at Just 'B', said the service would be available for people who need help processing their emotions, regardless of how long ago their experiences took place.
She said: "We've been aware that there hasn't been a lot of provision across that patch, so this project hopefully addresses that.
"It's not just about bereavement by suicide recently, but also for people who have been bereaved in this way up to 10 years ago.
"We offer a safe space whereby people will be supported by trained individuals who are experienced in supporting individuals who have been bereaved by suicide, as their grief can be quite complicated in terms of managing and processing it.
"One thing we know about being bereaved by suicide is that there are a whole host of emotions and feelings that people experience, some of which might prevent somebody contacting us and they need to know that it is nothing we haven't heard before and that they are in safe care with us."
Just 'B' has provided specialist bereavement support in North Yorkshire for more than 15 years, mostly operating in Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire.
People who will be eligible to get support through the pilot scheme can refer themselves into the service, or get referred from parents/carers and health or social care professionals.
A spokesperson for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB said: "Dealing with the suicide of a significant person can be incredibly hard to process, which is why we are delighted we've been able to commission Just 'B' to provide support to families in Scarborough town and Eastfield."
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