Hope and Healing for Anyone Bereaved by Suicide
HUGG has been a very much needed support to me. To be with others who totally understand the loss is just a relief, knowing you are not alone.
Orla, who lost her daughter to suicide.
Each year in Ireland, more than 500 people (CSO,2022) take their own life. Each suicide has a devestating and lasting impact on the families, friends, colleagues and communities of those who have died.
For every 1 person who dies by suicide, it’s estimated that 135 people are affected by the death*. This equates to more than 60,000 individuals who may be impacted by suicide in Ireland every year. The death of a loved one by suicide is devastating. We help people bereaved by suicide to go beyond just “surviving” to leading meaningful lives once again. We believe that in time, healing is possible.
The support that HUGG provides is known as “postvention,” which is part of suicide prevention. Postvention refers to activities that reduce risk and promote healing for people impacted after a suicide. Through being there for those who have lost someone to suicide, HUGG helps to reduce the heightened risk that the bereaved person may experience following a suicide – which it has been established is ten times higher than with the general population.
*CSO 2020
Our Mission
To offer hope and healing by providing information, telephone support and local peer support groups led by trained volunteers with lived experience of suicide loss.
To engage with suicide research, to better inform public policy and improve bereavement services.
To collaborate with professionals and organisations in the bereavement sector to advance best practice.
To raise public awareness about suicide bereavement and be a voice for those bereaved by suicide.
To advocate for change in how state institutions engage and support with those bereaved by suicide.
ABOUT US
Learn more about our policies, members of our board, our financials and key partners who support HUGG to operate efficiently, transparently and to the highest standards.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
You can help support HUGG by fundraising, volunteering or spreading the word about or service and events. Click on the icons below to learn more.
Find out how you can support us in our mission to provide free suicide bereavement support services.
Find out how you can support us in our mission to provide free suicide bereavement support services.
Learn more about suicide bereavement support services, events, news, research and suicide grief education.
