LGBTIQA+ suicide
bereavement drop in groups
Losing someone to suicide is a devastating, heartbreaking and painful experience
LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement drop in groups are a free program for LGBTIQA+ people who have been bereaved through suicide.
Connect with other LGBTIQA+ community members bereaved by suicide. In this open and welcoming space, we invite you to create connections, share your experiences, hear from other people’s experiences and explore your grief. These groups are free and run on a regular basis that requires no ongoing commitment – you are welcome to register and drop in to sessions that suit you best.
What are LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement groups
Grief following suicide loss can feel differently to other forms of loss and can often be met with intense pain, sadness, guilt and regret.
Support services such as counselling, grief support groups and helplines can help to process grief following a suicide yet may be unwelcoming or not affirming for those within the LGBTIQA+ community. Our goal is to provide warm, affirming and specialised services that allow our community to heal.
You may like to attend a drop-in session if…
you are looking for a LGBTIQA+ peer-led space to explore your grief
you are looking to connect with other LGBTIQA+ people and hear and understand their experiences of suicide bereavement
you are curious about support groups and how they can help you
you are looking for short-term bereavement support
About the groups
Our LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement drop in groups are run regularly, on a monthly basis.
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 a LGBTIQA+ group facilitator, with experience in supporting people experiencing suicide bereavement. A community support person will also be present to help during the session.
Who can attend?
The LGBTIQA+ bereavement support groups are open to members of the LGBTIQA+ community who:
have lost someone to suicide
are aged 21 years and older
based in Victoria
Groups are free to attend. Participants do not need to have a Medicare card or mental health care plan.
Further information
Our next online group details:
Wednesday June 7th 7pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday July 5th 7pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday August 2nd 7pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday September 6th 7pm – 8:30pm
The group drop-in sessions will take place online via Zoom. In 2023, regular monthly sessions will take place.
How can I join?
If you are interested in attending a LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement support group, please email us at bereavement@switchboard.org.au or leave a voice message at 0437 918 239. Please expect 2-3 business days for a response from our program staff.
Once in contact, our Bereavement Group Facilitator will get in touch with you to have a chat about your experiences and if the group is the best fit for you at this time. This initial conversation is encouraged in order for us to share more about the group, give you an opportunity to ask us any questions you may have and also to connect you in with other services that you may need.
If you are unable to attend on the upcoming dates or are unsure of whether our program is right for you, please get in touch.
Contact us if you are interested in future groups or further suicide bereavement support we may offer.