Many grieve, group finds

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 7

Many grieve, group finds

By

DEBORAH McPHERSON

A surprisingly large number of people in Christchruch had been bereaved by suicide within the last three years, said one of the founding members of a newly formed support group yesterday. The woman member, who did not want to be named, said 30 people had become members since the. support group for those bereaved by suicide first formed two

months ago. She said those attending seemed very relieved to be .with others who understood their grief. The group had decided to meet on the first and second Monday of the month because of the surprisingly large number of people needing comfort.

On each of the three times the group had met, it had attracted an additional four people.

A common grief reaction to a suicide was a feeling of guilt, said the spokeswoman.

Most of the members had been bereaved relatively recently, from anywhere in the last three months to the last three years.

“Most people are a little hesitant and wonder what people are like, but those who have come have found it a great relief to get to know others in similar situations.”

The next meeting of the group will be on August 1, at 196 Colombo Street, at 7.30 p.m.