Specialist Counselling

The loss of someone close to you from any cause can bring about intense grief and mourning.  The emotions experienced by the bereaved following a suicide, while normal and expected, can be particularly painful.  Family/whanau and friends may provide all the support you need.  However, after the death of a loved one by suicide you may find the need for additional support that is different from what your family can offer.  Counselling can provide support for both you, your relatives and friends who are experiencing their own grief.

When a family/whanau member or friend attempts suicide it can be a confusing and frightening time for everyone involved.  Families often struggle to understand what happened.  There may be feelings of anxiety and the fear of a repeat attempt.  In addition to your concerns for your loved one, it is vital that you recognize and attend to your own needs.  For many the stress and trauma of grief means that additional help is needed. Counselling can provide important information, guidance and support as you care for your loved one and yourself.

CASA maintains a network of experienced health professionals to provide the Specialist Counselling Service to help those bereaved by suicide or affected by suicide attempt.  The service provides the following support:

• Counselling for anyone bereaved by a sucide or affected by a suicide attempt - family/whanau including children, friends and associates within the last 12 months
• Up to four sessions of free counselling
• Counselling provided in your home if you prefer
• Information on what to do after a  suicide attempt
• Maori Cultural Service available including support by  Kaumatua and Kai Atawhai.

This free and confidential service is funded by the Ministry of Health.

Counselling provides an opportunity to talk, in confidence, to someone experienced in listening to and helping people bereaved by suicide or affected by a loved one's suicide attempt. Counselling can offer brief, practical support and guidance to help you handle the emotions and life changes associated with a suicide or suicide attempt by a friend or loved one.  It can provide help and support to: 

• talk about the suicide or suicide attempt
• have a safe place to express your feelings
• obtain factual information about suicide and its effects
• understand and deal with other people's reactions to a suicide attempt
• get advice on practical/social concerns
• feel better about yourself.

 This free, confidential service is available in the following DHB regions: 

• Waitemata
• Auckland
• Counties Manukau
• Tairawhiti
• Hawkes Bay
• Nelson Marlborough
• Canterbury

Any individual, family/whanua group including children, friends or associates bereaved by suicide or affected by suicide attempt can be referred to the Specialist Counselling Service.  Accessing the service is simple:

• You can refer yourself or your family/whanau
• Your professional carer, such as your GP, can refer you
• You can be referred by a community agency such as Victim Support, Supporting Families, etc
• Others concerned about you can make a referral - friends, workmates, undertaker, etc.

To make a referral either:

• complete the email referral form here; or
• print off the form here and fax it to 09-448 3850; or
• print off the form here and post it to:
  • Specialist Counselling Service
  • PO Box 32599
  • Devonport
  • North Shore 0744.

You can contact us on freephone 0800-448 353 or via email at scs@casa.org.nz.

For those affected by suicide (pdf)

For those affected by suicide attempt (pdf)

Important client information (pdf)