Individuals, families, and communities bereaved by suicide will continue to be offered practical and emotional support across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Amparo, a leading suicide bereavement liaison service has been commissioned by the Collaborative for a further three and a half years to provide support to people across the subregion.
Amparo which means ‘shelter’ or ‘safe haven’ in Spanish, provides support for anyone affected by suicide. Headquartered in Merseyside, it is part of the Knowsley based Listening Ear family, and the retendered service will now extend to provide counselling for people bereaved by suicide.
Ruth du Plessis, Director of Public Health for St Helens and Lead Director for Suicide Prevention, said:
“Sadly, more than 200 people a year take their own life in Cheshire and Merseyside. For each death by suicide at least ten people are significantly impacted and people who are bereaved by suicide are at greater risk of attempting to or taking their own lives.
“Supporting individuals, families and communities bereaved by suicide is a key priority for the Collaborative. We are delighted to continue working with Amparo and together we will continue to provide practical and emotional support to people across Cheshire and Merseyside.”
The new contract will commence in April 2022, seven years after Amparo first started to support those affected by suicide across the subregion.
Amparo is a free service without a waiting list which aims to support those affected by suicide at any time, offering timely, practical information and guidance following a sudden bereavement. It offers:
- One to one support from a named Amparo Liaison Worker
- Information, practical and emotional support
- Practical support dealing with police and other agencies
- Support at an inquest
- Help with any media enquiries
- Help overcoming any feelings of isolation
- Referrals and signposting to other services as required
- Counselling
Since the commencement of the Amparo service in Cheshire and Merseyside, and other areas of England, no beneficiaries have gone on to take their own life as evidenced by a coroner office audit.
To refer a person who has been affected by suicide into Amparo:
Call: 0300 088 9255
Visit: https://amparo.org.uk
Need Help?
If you need help or are worried about someone, the following services offer immediate support:
- SAMARITANS: Call 116123 or visit samaritans.org
- PAPYRUS: Call 0800 068 4141, text 07786 209697 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 080058 58 58 or visit www.thecalmzone.org