StandBy – Support After Suicide

StandBy – Support After Suicide was established in 2002 to meet the need for a coordinated community response to suicide. StandBy is now recognised as Australia’s leading suicide postvention program dedicated to assisting people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide.

A recent independent evaluation of the program found that StandBy’s Support After Suicide program helps to significantly lower the risk of suicidality, mental health concerns, and social isolation following a loss of a loved one.

In Australia, more than 2,800 people take their own life each year. Research indicates that for every death through suicide 135 people are impacted and ten or more are significantly impacted. StandBy provides free face to face or telephone support by local caring staff, committed to the wellbeing of the person or group impacted. The program provides a central point of coordination, connecting people to the various supports they may need through referrals to services, groups and organisations within their local area.

StandBy operates nationally by partnering with local organisations, engaging their expertise within the community to deliver the most effective and culturally suitable support for each individual circumstance. Locally tailored community workshops and education programs are provided to increase awareness of suicide and suicide bereavement to help enable communities to support one another.