Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)

What if the unthinkable should happen?

Those are the words of Hilary Ravenscroft, a lady who started a new branch of Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) in Crewe on 8th September. Unfortunately, Hilary knows since her son took his own life 8 years ago.

SOBS is a voluntary organisation, which is there to support families and friends of suicide victims through the difficult times. It is a self-help group, whose aim is to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other.

Hilary explained to me how close friends and families of suicide victims rarely have any warning that someone close to them will end their own life. Frequently, they will suffer from a severe depression, which has not been diagnosed. It is usually brought about by an accumulation of little things, and then something else happens to tip the balance.

Suicide is a growing problem in the UK with over 6,000 cases last year. Most are healthy young men, aged between 15 and 35 although the incidence amongst young women is also increasing. And, for every victim there are typically ten other people who are profoundly affected and will need help. But where can you get help?

SOBS is there to help by providing the survivors with guidance on how to cope and deal with their loss. Once a suicide happens within a family it suddenly becomes a reality and a possibility for the future. People need re-assurance that it will not happen again in their family so the survivors need strong support to cope with the future.

When Hilary experienced the death of her 29-year-old son, Simon, she and her family were devastated. Simon was fit and healthy, ran his own business and owned his own house. He had everything to live for.

Hilary has already established a branch of SOBS elsewhere in Cheshire and is responsible for forming new branches throughout the Northwest. Support is available for anyone bereaved by suicide through the national help-line on 0870 2413337, 9.00am to 9.00pm for 365 days per year

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If you would like to find out more about the new Crewe branch, give Hilary Ravenscroft a call on 01270 652061.  Hilary would like to talk to you; whether you are someone who has experienced a suicide of a close family member, or if you experienced a suicide bereavement many years ago and have not been able to talk about it to anyone.