A remembrance ceremony is being held at the Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall, to bring people together to remember those who died by suicide.
Hosted by the Leeds Mind Suicide Bereavement Services, the non-religious ceremony is being held on Saturday, 9 December 2023, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
The Leeds Suicide Audit 2019 – 2021 showed 194 suicides by Leeds residents during that period. Studies show that between 6 – 135 people are impacted by a single death by suicide due to a so-called “ripple effect”, which means that up to 26,000 people in Leeds could have been affected by suicide loss over the 2019-21 period alone.
The event is open to anyone affected by suicide, whether the death was recent or historic, and whatever their relationship to the person that died. It’s also suitable for children and young people to attend.
In addition to the ceremony, there will be optional activities themed around self-compassion and kindness to self, including an introduction to meditation.
Lisa Bourne, Senior Postvention Practitioner for the Leeds Mind Suicide Bereavement Services, said: “Research shows that people bereaved by suicide are 65% more likely to attempt suicide themselves. That’s why the work we do in supporting people who have been affected by this sort of loss is so important.”
“We’ve held these remembrance events every winter for a few years now, as well as a full event programme throughout the year. They’re a great opportunity to meet other people that have been impacted by suicide, and help those that have had this awful experience feel a sense of community and togetherness.
“All staff in our service have been impacted by suicide themselves, so we always say ‘we get it because we’ve been there’. Bereavement by suicide can be particularly complex grief, but people don’t have to go through it alone.”
To attend the event, e-mail SBS@leedsmind.org.uk or call 0113 305 5800.