Adult Bereavement Services

Bereavement is associated with impaired mental health, increases in adverse health behaviours and outcomes, and heightened risk of suicidal ideation, attempts and death by suicide. Examples of this are affected sleep, increase in drug and/or alcohol use, increase in unhealthy eating behaviours, lack of physical activity, risk of homelessness and an increase in social isolation and loneliness. For many, bereavement may be preceded by a period of caregiving for the deceased, which may heighten risk of psychological distress and suicidal ideation.

The experience of bereavement will affect everyone in their lifetime, and many people can manage this profound upheaval with the support of friends and family. For those who need it, however, there can be challenges in accessing formal bereavement support. This can be due to availability and stigma, and some population groups are particularly affected, such as Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities and other underserved and vulnerable population groups. Additionally, bereavement and the anniversaries of bereavement have often been identified as a relevant factor in deaths by suicide and Drug Related Death in CIoS.

In order to help mitigate these physical and mental health risks, this service aims to provide comprehensive bereavement support to residents aged 18+ of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. The vision is for accessible, empathetic, and effective support for individuals experiencing bereavement. This is to prevent the risk of poor mental health and suicide for those bereaved and includes those who have been affected by a sudden or drug related death. This does not include the provision of postvention support for those bereaved by suicide, or End of Life/pre-bereavement care which are both commissioned separately by the Integrated Care Board. This service will need to be specifically able to support those who experience a sudden or unexpected death including those related to drugs or alcohol.