From here on I know I will have some sad days but now I have the skills and support to help me cope.

When I lost my son to suicide I felt so alone and confused. The bereaved by suicide group was the only place I felt safe to show the pain I was in.

It is difficult to describe the amazing journey and growth I've experienced in the group - the meetings were a safe oasis where I found peace in my pain.

Counselling and Group Programs

Dr. Diana Sands (she/her) is the Director of the Bereaved by Suicide Centre for Intense Grief, Lower North Shore, Sydney.

I acknowledge the Traditional custodians of the land on which I work, and pay my respects to the Elders, past and present.

Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists: arcapregister.com.au

Over her career Dr. Sands has provided counselling for loss and grief following sudden, violent and traumatic death and in particular individual, couple and family counselling for those who have lost a loved one through suicide.

This kind of grief is so intense it can shatter a person’s world. I create a safe haven to support the process of putting together the pieces and telling their story, with the loved one as a valued resource and comfort to assist in coping with grief.

Dr. Sands an experienced family and narrative therapist draws on a range of counselling modalities and the expressive and creative arts in supporting those bereaved. The counselling practice and unique mutual-help therapeutic, psycho-educational group programs for those bereaved by suicide are based on her research in suicide grief and the 'Tripartite Walking in the Shoes Model of Suicide Bereavement'. The group programs provide a space for a community of grievers to meet, gain support, resilience, and understanding with others who are also bereaved as they rebuild their life.

Dr Sands is a Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and provides understanding loss and grief webinars, community talks and training workshops for professionals in Australia and Internationally. Diana is involved in activities to improve education, awareness and understanding of grief and bereavement. She is involved in a number of community and international organizations, as a member of the International Work Group Death, Dying and Bereavement, Co-Convenor of the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) Postvention Special Interest Group. Convenor of PACFA NSW Leadership Group, and committee member on the College of Creative and Experiential Arts Leadership Group. Diana is the past Deputy Chair of Postvention Australia, and served for a number of years as Honorary Advisor to the Wings of Hope Charity. She has served on the NSW Executive Committee, National Association Loss and Grief, and as the NSW representative with Suicide Prevention Australia.

Publications

Diana is the author of a number of publications, including book chapters, academic journal articles and the book titled the 'Red Chocolate Elephants: For Children Bereaved by Suicide', which is used in schools, charity and community services throughout Australia and Internationally. This workbook and video resource offer practical ways to sensitively engage with children about the difficult questions of a death through suicide. To purchase or find out more information, click here.

Open to Hope Foundation

The Open to Hope Foundation provides an online forum with information and support so that people who experience loss can learn to cope with their pain, heal their grief, and invest in their future.

“The Red Chocolate Elephants is a remarkable resource for children bereaved by suicide. This book will be an excellent resource for parent and child to use together in trying to face the suicide of a loved one...”

— John R. Jordan, PhD, International Author, Professional Advisor Survivor Council of American Foundation Suicide Prevention, Clinical Consultant Samaritans Boston Grief Support

If you cannot effect payment please email: dianasands@bereavedbysuicide.com.au

Talking to Children After a Suicide

When a loved one dies by suicide there will be lots of confusing and different feelings that are hard to find the words for. Children need reassurance that they are loved and that nothing they did caused the death. Most children will have a limited understanding about what suicide means and will look for information from adults that they trust, to help them make sense of this raw and painful experience. Your readiness to listen, talk and support will assist their understanding and help them develop the resilience to cope...
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• Counselling

• Group Programs

• Community Education and Training Workshops