Suicide Bereavement Support for Young People (360G-phf-31372)

'Sharon McDonnell has worked in the field of suicide bereavement, as a direct result of her brother dying by suicide at the age of twenty-nine. She returned to education to develop her skills and expertise to conduct research. She subsequently worked at the Centre for Mental Health and Safety, at the University of Manchester for over sixteen years. During this time she completed a PhD, which focussed on the needs of those bereaved by suicide. Most of the research conducted by Sharon has been funded by the Department of Health. She leads an international suicide bereavement conference, which is now in its 6th year and is a volunteer at a local Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) self-help group. She recently left her academic role to set up the Postvention Trust which aims to research the needs of young people bereaved by suicide, and develop support structures that will enable them to move on and make a positive transition into adult life, preventing the risk of further suicide and poor mental health. Working in partnership with colleagues who have expertise in this field, Sharon will conduct research in areas of the country where suicide rates are high, produce a video to raise awareness and begin developing provision to support young people.