Forming support groups and marking anniversaries

If you or someone close to you has been involved in a major incident and are interested in forming or joining a support group, there's advice on how to do this. Many people involved in such events find support groups to be positive and helpful.

Support groups - how they can help

Following a major incident, there are likely to be practical problems to deal with. Any inquest or criminal enquiry can be easier to cope with if you have the support and understanding of others affected by the incident.

Support groups can be very helpful, offering useful advice and suggestions on how to deal with specific issues. They often share a common experience and so help alleviate the isolation that can be felt by people after an incident.

Practical advice from Disaster Action

Disaster Action is a charity set up and run by survivors and bereaved from UK and overseas disasters. The charity has produced information on setting up family and survivor groups, including information on how such groups can help.

• Setting up family and/or survivors support groups - Disaster Action website

Anniversaries

Anniversaries can be a particularly difficult time, so it may be worth thinking in advance about how you would like to mark the day. You may want to have time alone, visit a particular place, or spend the day with other people.

It is also worth bearing in mind that media attention is likely to increase at these times.

There are a number of bereavement support organisations that are available should you wish to speak with them, including Cruse Bereavement Care.

• Cruse Bereavement Care (contacts section)