Zoom-based counselling in both a group session and individually is helping the Vancouver Island Crisis Society expand its valuable service. (pixabay)

By Spencer Sterritt

helping hand

Suicide bereavement services expand across Vancouver Island on Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day

Sep 10, 2020 | 9:27 AM

NANAIMO — A valuable service is expanding to mark Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day.

The Nanaimo-based Vancouver Island Crisis Society now offers group sessions over Zoom for those bereaved by suicide across Vancouver Island. More intimate one-on-one sessions are also available over the video platform.

Lyndsay Wells with the Society told NanaimoNewsNOW the shift to an online platform during the COVID-19 pandemic has actually helped create a more welcoming environment for those in need of help.

“The comfort people had being able to stay in their own homes and meet in that way made the sharing feel much richer and safer.”

Wells said providing the one-on-one sessions are a gentle way to ease someone into a group setting.

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“Bereavement is different for everyone and brings so many complications. We realized we should have a more personalized approach for someone not well-supported, who is feeling lost and alone.”

Educational efforts are also expanding, for those going through the bereavement process and those observing, about what to expect and emphasize how grief is a long journey.

“People will come to the 12 month point and say ‘I should be through this by now.’ So helping them not be so hard on themselves and understand for some it just does take longer.”

Those bereaved by suicide are nine times more likely to become suicidal.

The Vancouver Island Crisis Society currently has two staff members providing the level of support needed for group and one-on-one sessions, with a third currently being trained.

Wells said they’ll increase staffing and training as needed.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt