Families Voices Forum
Families Voices Forum
A regional volunteer group of individuals and families bereaved by suicide.
A regional volunteer group of individuals and families bereaved by suicide.
A regional volunteer group of individuals and families bereaved by suicide.
A regional volunteer group of individuals and families bereaved by suicide.
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The Families Voices Forum is a regional volunteer group of individuals and families bereaved by suicide. The Forum has been in existence since 2006 and was critical in the development of the original Protect Life Strategy and again in the revised Protect Life 2 Strategy.
The Forum networks with, Bereaved by Suicide Support Groups across the country, community and voluntary sector groups that may provide support to those bereaved or provide suicide prevention support, and
Bereaved individuals and families (known as postvention) to ensure communications are open both ways and that messages being given by the forum reflect shared concerns across the country.
The Forum aims to work collaboratively with those in positions of authority to ensure families’ voices of lived experience are at the heart of decision-making in the shift towards a co-design, co-production model of change which reduces suicide rates in Northern Ireland.
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Some forum members choose to attend meetings in order to use their experience to express common concerns held by families across the country.
We work as an equal partner at the table with a variety of services and organisations. Our aim is to collaborate with others to help improve policy, funding and services for those with suicidal thoughts and for families requiring support following a bereavement by suicide.
Members get together about four times a year, usually over a nice meal in an informal setting, in order to share their experiences, information, learning and to decide what actions to prioritise for the upcoming strategic meetings.
Everyone bereaved by suicide is welcome to join us and you can share your thoughts and ideas, ask questions or just be a listening ear to discussions taking place. We welcome everyone to participate in the way that suits them best!
Project Mission
We believe there are 6 key actions that can be taken to improve the support around the pathway for suicide experienced by those in distress and their families.
The Protect Life 2 Strategy and Mental Health Strategy should be fully funded. They are documents without meaning if they cannot be put into action. Without this we cannot enhance and improve services. Mental illness costs our economy £3.4billion each year. Funding must be used to support the care pathways of suicidal individuals across all sectors and not be limited to specialist services.
Suicide awareness, prevention and postvention training should be mandatory for frontline heath staff, community workers, health and social care professionals and first responders, as a priority. The support of awareness and training through a whole population approach should continue and target those most likely to be a first point of contact for someone in suicidal distress. We know that the first contact response can change the outcome for someone in distress by supporting them to think about life rather than death.
The Forum supports a ‘Triangle of Care’ approach which recognises the professional, the person in need and their family as key to the long-term maintenance of health and wellbeing. Each holds valuable knowledge, information and understanding that will contribute to supporting an individual in distress. Families must be welcomed, included, involved and informed along a care pathway. Issues of confidentiality should be managed with confidence by staff who are supported by their employers to use their professional judgement to do so.
How We’ve Helped
Resources
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Promotes health in six Neighbourhood Renewal Areas
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Closed for 2024 - Avail of training and receive up to £500 worth of relevant sports equipment for your club.
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Funding of up to £5,000 to improve mental health and wellbeing
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Resources
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09/2024
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Families Voices Forum
Every year the Families Voice forum works to expand the reach of people who have been bereaved by suicide in policy and practice, and this year was no different.
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09
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08/2023
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Families Voices Forum
Members of the Families Voices Forum had the opportunity to meet with the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride again at the end of September.
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