Families Voices Forum: Building Hope in The West Event

Families Voices Forum hosted their most recent information exchange event in Everglades, Derry, in March. The event followed the theme developed by the Western Protect Life Implementation Group: ‘Building Hope in the West’.

A number of organisations showcased the vital services offered by the community and voluntary sector, particularly focusing on Bereaved by Suicide Support Groups across the Western Trust Area. These groups include those held at:

Koram Centre, Strabane

Foyle Search and Rescue, Derry-Londonderry

PATHS, Omagh

Roe Valley Therapy Centre, Limavady

AislingCentre, Enniskillen

A focus on youth engagement in discussion surrounding suicide prevention, postvention and mental health was a key highlight on the day. YouthLife, an organisation based in the North West, and PAPYRUS, a regional suicide prevention charity primarily focused on individuals under 35, led the conversation.

Throughout the event, powerful stories and experiences were shared by those bereaved by suicide. These testimonies underscored the importance of lived experience in shaping suicide prevention policies, strategies and actions. Reflections on the past 20 years highlighted how Families Voices Forum has consistently leveraged this collective voice to drive meaningful change in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.

Additionally, Families Voices Forum announced the relaunch of the ‘Letters of Hope and Compassion’ campaign, with more details to be shared soon.

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About Families Voices Forum:

Families Voices Forum is a regional group led by bereaved individuals for bereaved individuals and families. A forum that aims to build the profile of those bereaved by suicide and give them the opportunity to have their voice heard by policy makers. Families Voices Forum proactively address the issue of stigma which surrounds the area of suicide.

For more information about the forum or how to become a member, click here or contact Gerard at gerard@dhcni.com

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