Mental health charity, Penumbra, has today welcomed the Scottish Government and COSLA’s commitment to roll out a pilot support service which offers support to people bereaved by suicide. The commitment comes on the back of an independent evaluation of the service published today (15 April).

The charity has been operating the pilot service in Ayrshire and Arran since August 2021. A second pilot site in the Highlands and Argyll and Bute is run by Change Mental Health. At October 2023, a total of 242 people had been referred to the service for support.

Penumbra’s Interim Director of National Programmes Issy Murray said:

“We know from research that people bereaved by the suicide of a close friend or family member are estimated to be 65% more likely to attempt suicide than if the bereavement was from natural causes, so we know that there is a need for this kind of support. Increasing the reach of the service is a very welcome step, so we’re very pleased to see the commitment from the Scottish Government and COSLA to roll out this kind of bereavement support across the country.”

Penumbra’s Head of Service for Penumbra’s west of Scotland region Shaun Macaulay-Davidson said:

“We’re really pleased that the evaluation has spotlighted the positive impact our support is having for people. One of the driving forces behind the service from the very beginning was the insight from people who have experienced a loss from suicide. It’s helped to shape meaningful support that’s specifically tailored to what people need when they lose someone to suicide. What’s important for us is that many of our team members have their own lived experience which means we’re able to support people from a place of compassion and understanding.”