Early Years guidance when supporting suicide bereaved children

In 2023, training was delivered to those working with children aged 0-5 years in a range of settings across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

The training sessions provided practical tips, knowledge and increased confidence in those working to help reduce the long-term emotional and psychological impact faced by children in early years who lose a parent, or other significant person, to suicide.

Luna Suicide Bereavement Training for Early Years Practitioners was developed in response to research published in The Lancet Psychiatry (May 2022), that identified children who lose a parent to suicide aged between 2 and 5 years as facing the most significantly increased suicide risk themselves as a result of that loss, without protective factors in place.

Since the training took place Early Years Practitioner Guidance has been developed this guide.

Bereavement support is available from the Greater Manchester Bereavement Service.