Survivors of Suicide (SOS) Brighton & Hove
Community support
The SOS service provides short term emotional support, information and advocacy to people aged 18+ who live in Brighton and Hove, who have thoughts of suicide or have made previous suicide attempts or those who have been bereaved by suicide.
We offer psycho-social support to addresses the immediate crisis and provide ongoing support to help you manage your mental well-being.
We accept self referrals or referrals from other services.
We challenge the stigma attached to suicide by speaking openly about suicide, dispelling myths and giving useful and credible information.
We provide support in a number of ways
We can provide a range of 121 support. This can include:
• Emotional support from our dedicated and qualified staff team
• Signposting to other services or forms of help
• Advocacy on your behalf should you need it
• A recovery focused approach
• Safety planning, self-management of pre-triggers.
• Opportunities to become a volunteer and share your recovery journey and skills with others going through similar circumstances
Our bereavement groups aim
• To create a safe and supportive space where suicide bereavement and related issues can be explored
• To empower group members to express their feelings
• To explore choices and options
• To connect people in the community and share experiences
• To break down the stigma and taboo that can be associated with suicide and emotional well-being
Groups will be maximum of six other members. This group will run with the same members for 5 weekly sessions then 7 monthly sessions, so we can support you for a period of time.
We offer evening group sessions for those working or with other day time commitments. We run these groups regularly throughout the year.
We offer to meet you individually before you join a group to make sure this is the group for you.
You can download our SOS service leaflets and referral form from the 'Our downloads' section below.
How our service is funded
The majority of the service is part of UOK Brighton & Hove, which is funded by NHS Brighton and Hove CCG and Brighton and Hove City Council, and provided by Southdown in partnership with 16 local mental health and wellbeing organisations. UOK was previously known as Community Roots.
UOK s is a network of local services committed to supporting good mental health and well-being for all in Brighton and Hove. Alongside support to help people manage their mental health and well-being and live the life they want to, a ‘central point of access’ phone number and website is available to help people navigate and access services. Over the next five years (2019 to 2024), there will be a phased transformation of support, which will include the development of new services and initiatives.
You can find out more about UOK by clicking here
From 1st April 2020 to March 2021, we also received some additional funding from Brighton and Hove Council as part of the National Health Service England (NSHE) funding for increasing support for people who are bereaved by suicide. This funding has enabled us to be able to support more people who are bereaved by suicide.
Useful resources, training and factsheets
We have collated information on a range of useful booklets, factsheets, training course and video about suicide.
This includes
- How to cope with suicidal thoughts
- How to help someone else who is feeling suicide
- How to cope with dealing with loss after bereavement by suicide
- Help is at Hand Booklet
You can view them by clicking here.
What do you think of us?
Friends & family test
We really value the feedback of people who come into contact with our service.
You can visit this link to complete one quick question anonymously to let us know your views.
Select South East from the 'Region' drop down box and then select 'Survivors Of Suicide SOS' to enter your feedback.
Alternatively you can give us feedback by
- calling us on 01273 709060
- emailing us at sos.mendos@rethink.org
- speaking to one of our team in a group or 121 support session
- making a complaint on our website here
My Journey from Suicide to Hope - a message for men by men
Our Rethink Brighton SOS service created a film with five men who experienced suicide to highlight male suicide and encourage men to talk about how they’re feeling
This video was funded by Brighton and Hove Council.
The video is 16 minutes long and may be difficult to watch if you are feeling down.
Take a look at the video below.
Our Downloads
