Dorset Open Door is a partnership of local/national bereavement charities and health and care organisations working together to make sure you get the support you need. It supports people who have been bereaved or affected by a death where the cause may be suicide, or be particularly traumatic or sudden.
In these instances often the grieving process can be even more complicated, distressing, uncertain and confusing, regardless of the time that may have passed.
Any bereavement at any time is upsetting, there is no timeline to grief and each person’s experience is unique. By talking through options available to you in your local area this can help point you in the right direction, offering advice, guidance and support.
Dorset Open Door acknowledges that everyone has a different experience of bereavement. The team will listen to you and in the context of your personal experience and circumstance, and help you to find the support and advice that is right for you.
The service also provides support for professionals or those seeking advice for others.
Key information about this service
Experiencing bereavement is difficult at any time, but when your loss is particularly sudden, unexpected or traumatic, including where the person may have taken their own life, it can be additionally difficult. There is a wealth of support available to you, and we have put together details of support services ranging from emotional support and peer support to practical advice and guidance.
Below are some resources, organisations and supports available both nationally and locally. A number of these resources are specific to traumatic loss but not exclusively. If you would like to discuss any of these supports or not sure which you might find helpful, please contact a member of our team on 01305 361361 or alternatively email dhc.
Bereavement Advice Centre | Free Helpline
Are you looking for urgent support or to talk to someone immediately?
- Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen - 116123
- Access Mental Health Dorset (dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk) - 0800 6520190
- Homepage | Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (thecalmzone.net) - 0800 585858 (5pm to Midnight)
- Information and support (mariecurie.org.uk) - 0800 0902309 (8am-6pm Monday to Friday, 11am-5pm on Saturdays. Bank holidays open 10am-4pm)
Are you bereaved by suspected suicide?
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide – Overcoming the isolation of people bereaved by suicide (uksobs.org) - 0300 1115065 open 9am-7pm daily
- Suicide&Co | Support after Suicide Bereavement (suicideandco.org) - 0800 0548400 from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
- Cruse - 0808 8081677
- Support groups for people bereaved by suicide | Samaritans
- The Compassionate Friends - 0345 1232304
- AtaLoss.org is the UK's signposting and information website for bereaved people
- Dorset Coroner's Service - 01202 454910
- Coroner's Court Support Service - 0300 1112141
- Funeral directors also offer bereavement support services
Are you a young person, or working with young people, impacted by a suicide or suspected suicide?
- Mosaic - 01258 837071
- Winston's Wish - 08088 020021
- Hope Again - 0808 8081677
- Simon Says - 02380 647550
- Papyrus Hopeline - For children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call 0800 068 4141, text 88247, email: pat
@papyrus-uk.org . 24hours, everyday of the year. - Debrief service | Papyrus UK | Suicide Prevention Charity (papyrus-uk.org) - We would encourage everybody supporting young people in a professional capacity to debrief, after an encounter with suicide. Call HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email pat
@papyrus-uk.org 24 hours, every day of the year.
Available apps
Text support
- Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org) - 85258
- Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org) - 88247
Chat online
Useful reading for advice and guidance
- Help is at hand – Support After Suicide
- Finding The Words – Support After Suicide
- From Grief To Hope - NSPA
- Resources – Support After Suicide
- Help Hub, Find Support After Suicide — Suicide&Co (suicideandco.org)
Prefer to listen to podcasts or read books?
- Books & Podcasts — Help Hub, Find Support After Suicide — Suicide&Co (suicideandco.org)
- Life after suicide documentary
- Support After Suicide Podcasts
Other resources and support
- Dorset Mental Health Forum
- Dorset Mind
- Recovery Education Centre - 01202 584478
- Contact your local faith organisation or Faithworks
If you're not sure what you might find helpful, Dorset Open Door can help. As a partnership of healthcare organisations and charities, it will explore your options with you and link you with the right service.
You can call 01305 361361 or email dhc.
Dorset Open Door is a partnership of local and national bereavement charities and health and care organisations working together to make sure you get the support you need. Some organisations provide direct bereavement support services and others are key in sharing communications, training and community supports.
Dorset Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership, the partnership between Dorset HealthCare and Dorset Mental Health Forum, is leading on this project. The WaRP brings together lived and learned expertise, have significant experience in co-production and bridge the statutory and voluntary/community sector.
To find out more about our partners please head to their respective webpages.