Bad weather suspends suicide remembrance

Megan Gamble has organised a Suicide Prevention Memorial Service. Photo / George Novak.

A gathering of Bay families coming together to remember those lost to suicide has been postponed due to bad weather.

Tauranga Grief Support Services organised the suicide memorial service to take place at the Edgewater Fan on The Strand yesterday to mark this year's World Suicide Prevention Day.

However, the gathering will now take place at Legacy funerals next Thursday at 5.30pm.

Grief Support Services board member, qualified social worker and event organiser Megan Gamble, said the service was a unique opportunity to come together, to comfort, reflect and remember loved ones lost to suicide, as well as an opportunity to talk about the causes and effects of suicide in the community, she said.

Mrs Gamble, who lost her 36-year-old husband Shawn to suicide nine years ago, said the day was also a call to action for individuals, organisations and the community to focus on steps to help prevent more people dying unnecessarily.

Well over 100 people are expected to attend the service.

"Suicide touches many families in our community and often people feel so helpless and don't know what to do before or after their loved one's sudden death," Mrs Gamble said.

The mother of two, who helps facilitate suicide support groups, was a client of Grief Support Services before joining as a volunteer then board member.

"I went into social work to help save lives, and effect life changes in well-being and to instil hope," Mrs Gamble said.

"There have been other people I have met in my journey that also have a voice - a voice that can be heard gently at times and not so gently.

"Even one life saved is saving a continuing generation."

The gathering is expected to involve guest speakers and live music.

Lifeline Aotearoa has offered free seats to community members to attend their acclaimed ASIST - Suicide First Aid Intervention course in Tauranga and New Plymouth.

Where to go for help
•Grief Support Services on 578 4480
•Lifelink on 0800 726 666
•Lifeline's Aotearoa crisis line on 0508 82 88 65
•Youthline on 0800 376 633
•Kidsline (0-14 years) 0800 543 754
•Grief Support Services on 578 4480