What is HUGG?
HUGG, Support After Suicide, is Ireland’s national suicide bereavement organisation. We provide support, information and connection for adults affected by suicide loss through peer support groups, telephone support line, workshops, events, research and advocacy.
What is suicide bereavement?
Suicide bereavement is the experience of grieving after the death of someone by suicide.
Many people experience a range of emotions following a suicide loss, including sadness, shock, anger, guilt, confusion and isolation. Every person’s experience of grief is different, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
How do I cope with the loss of someone to suicide?
The death of someone you love by suicide can be overwhelming and life-changing. There is no single way to cope with suicide bereavement, and what helps can vary from person to person.
Some people find it helpful to talk with others who have experienced a similar loss, while others may seek counselling, practical support or information about grief and suicide bereavement.
HUGG provides peer support for adults bereaved by suicide, as well as information and signposting to other sources of support.
Is my reaction to suicide loss normal?
Many people wonder whether their grief feels different after a suicide.
Questions, uncertainty, guilt, anger, relief, sadness, numbness and difficulty concentrating can all be part of someone’s experience of suicide bereavement. Some people also find themselves searching for answers that may never fully come.
There is no single “normal” response to suicide loss, and there is no set timeline for grief.
Who can access HUGG services?
HUGG services are available to adults aged 18 and over who have been bereaved or affected by suicide loss.
This may include the loss of a parent, child, sibling, partner, spouse, friend, colleague, cousin, neighbour or any other important person in your life.
If you are supporting someone who has been bereaved by suicide, you can also find information and resources on our website.
Support Services After a Suicide
Does HUGG support people who have lost a friend to suicide?
Yes.
HUGG supports adults affected by suicide loss, regardless of their relationship with the person who died.
Every relationship matters, and every loss can have a significant impact.
Is All Grief Valid? – Suicide Bereavement
My Friend Died By Suicide – Is Suicide Bereavement Support Available for Me?
How soon after a suicide can I contact HUGG?
There is no right or wrong time to seek support.
Some people contact HUGG in the days or weeks following a suicide loss, while others may seek support months or even years later.
You can contact HUGG whenever you feel you would benefit from support, whether that is soon after the death or much later.
Can I attend a support group if the suicide happened years ago?
Yes.
Many people seek support long after their loss. Significant dates, life milestones, anniversaries or changes in circumstances can sometimes bring grief back into focus.
Whether the loss was recent or many years ago, you are welcome to seek support from HUGG.
What is peer support after suicide loss?
Peer support brings together people who have experienced suicide loss, creating an opportunity to share experiences, listen to others and connect with people who understand aspects of suicide bereavement from lived experience.
HUGG support groups are peer-led by trained volunteers who have also been bereaved by suicide.
How do I join a HUGG support group?
If you would like to attend a HUGG support group, you need to register in advance.
After you register, a member of the team will contact you to talk about the groups available and answer any questions you may have.
HUGG support groups are free and are available in person and online.
Can i bring someone with me to a HUGG support group?
If someone you know has also been bereaved by suicide, they are welcome to attend a HUGG support group, provided they are aged 18 or over and have registered.
Are HUGG support groups free?
Yes. HUGG support groups are free of charge.
HUGG’s services are available to adults affected by suicide bereavement without a fee.
Can I attend a HUGG support group online?
Yes. HUGG offers online suicide bereavement support groups as well as groups that meet in person.
Online support can be an option for people who cannot attend a local group or who prefer to take part remotely.
What is the HUGG Suicide Bereavement Support Line?
HUGG’s Suicide Bereavement Support Line provides emotional support, information and guidance to adults affected by suicide bereavement.
The service is provided by members of the HUGG Telephone Support Team, who have lived experience of suicide bereavement. They can listen, answer questions and help you explore what support may be most helpful for you.
The service is free. You can request a callback by calling 01 513 4048 or using HUGG’s online callback request form. The team operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and aims to return calls within 48 hours during operating hours.
Does HUGG provide counselling?
No. HUGG does not provide counselling, psychotherapy or crisis intervention.
HUGG provides peer support for adults bereaved by suicide. We can also provide information and signpost you to other appropriate sources of support, including counselling services.
Where can I find support after a suicide in Ireland?
If someone has died by suicide, there are a number of sources of support available in Ireland. The right support will depend on what you need and when you need it.
HUGG provides peer support groups, telephone support, workshops, information resources and remembrance events for adults affected by suicide loss.
You can also find information about other bereavement, counselling and specialist support services on our Support Services After a Suicide page.
What if I'm not sure whether I need support?
You do not need to be certain about what you need before contacting HUGG.
Some people get in touch because they want to talk about their loss, while others simply have questions or want to find out what support is available.
You can contact HUGG to learn more about the support available and decide what, if anything, feels right for you.
What should I do if I need immediate help?
HUGG does not provide crisis intervention or emergency support.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services on 112 or 999, or go to your nearest emergency department.
If you need urgent emotional or crisis support, you can find information about crisis services on our I Am in Crisis page.
Find support after suicide loss
If you have been bereaved by suicide and would like to find out more about HUGG’s support, you can register your interest in a HUGG group or request a call from our Telephone Support Team.