LGBTIQA+ Suicide Bereavement Support
Losing someone to suicide can feel incredibly challenging, painful and isolating
Switchboard’s LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement program is a free support service for LGBTIQA+ people who have lost someone to suicide. In running this peer-led program, we aim to create a safe and specialised service that supports LGBTIQA+ suicide loss survivors on their healing journey through grief.
LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement support groups
Bereavement support groups can benefit LGBTIQA+ people by helping them connect with other people bereaved by suicide in a supportive peer space
The aim of our LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement support groups is to create a warm, affirming and compassionate service for LGBTIQA+ people where their lives, relationships, experiences and the unique challenges they face after a suicide are understood.
In our LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement support groups, participants will benefit from:
participating in facilitated discussions with other group members on a different topic or theme each session
spending time and experiencing peer connections with other LGBTIQA+ people who are going through suicide loss
gaining insight about their individual experience of healing by deepening understanding about the challenges of bereavement through suicide
experiencing a safe, supportive and accessible environment for LGBTIQA+ people
About our 8-week support groups
Our 8-week LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement groups are run twice per year, in partnership with Support After Suicide at Jesuit Social Services.
Each group is small with between 5 to 8 participants.
The groups run on Zoom for 8 sessions. Sessions run on the same weeknight over eight consecutive weeks, with the same participants attending every week.
The group is led by LGBTQIA+ facilitators from both Jesuit Social Services and Switchboard Victoria. Our organisations have worked together to provide a program reflective of the needs of LGBTQIA+ communities who are bereaved by suicide.
Who can attend?
Our 8-week suicide bereavement groups are open to members of LGBTIQA+ communities who:
have lost someone to suicide with whom they had a close personal relationship such as a partner, family/chosen family member or a close friend
are aged 18 years and older
based anywhere in Australia
have been bereaved by suicide for around 3 – 24 months
Groups are free to attend. Participants do not need to have a Medicare card or mental health care plan.
How can
I join?
If you are interested in attending an 8 week suicide bereavement group, you can:
fill out the form below,
email us at bereavement@switchboard.org.au
leave a text/voice message at 0437 918 239
Our Switchboard LGBTIQA+ bereavement program coordinator will contact you directly. They will answer all your questions and help you decide if our program is right for you.
If you are unable to attend on the upcoming dates or have any questions, please get in touch.
Drop-in Bereavement Groups
Our LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement drop in groups are run regularly, on the first Wednesday of the month. This is an informal conversational space for LGBTIQA+ people bereaved by suicide to come together and share their experiences, thoughts and feelings.
This is an online space, running on Zoom. Each group is small with up to 8 participants. Attendees of each group may differ each time and is dependent on group registrations.
The group will be facilitated by two LGBTIQA+ group facilitators, with experience in supporting people experiencing suicide bereavement.
If you are interested in coming along to a drop-in group, please email us at bereavement@switchboard.org.au or leave a text/voice message at 0437 918 239.
LGBTIQA+ Suicide Bereavement
Program
Get support now
If you are thinking about suicide or require immediate support, contact Rainbow Door.
Phone: 1800 729 367
Text: 0480 017 246
Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
