Glasgow suicide bereavement group gives people 'courage to speak'
(Image: Supplied) Natalie told the Glasgow Times: "It's great people have a place to go but it's also really sad its needed.
"What I'm realising as more and more time goes on is there isn't many people that haven't been affected by suicide loss.
"Us putting ourselves out there and having open conversation has really given people courage to speak about it."
She continued: "We're teaching people you can celebrate their life.
"Just because they died by suicide and people are uncomfortable approaching that and they don't want to talk about your loved one, they get totally forgotten about.
"Its not because they don't want to talk about them but its because they don't know how to approach it."
READ NEXT: Suicide bereavement group set up to help people through 'complex grief'
The Glasgow Times previously reported Natalie, who lives in Robroyston, says after her dad died she felt there was a lack of resources available for people dealing with suicide bereavement and she waited in excess of nine months for a therapy appointment through her work.
She decided to set up the in-person group as most resources she tried to access had a waiting list or were online.
It is now supporting up to 40 people a week at the meetings which are held in Anderson Maguire on Springburn Road.
(Image: Robert Perry) Natalie, who works for the North West Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service, said: "We have people that travel from all over Central Scotland – they come regularly because they need the support but we don't want to get to a point where it's just too busy because the support they get isn't going to be as good."
She continued: "When we started the group, it was the idea of creating a safe space for people because we didn't have that.
"You think these things are going to take a while to take off if they do and now we're at the point where we're like 'where do we go from here'.
"We're struggling to meet the demand.
"People say its been a lifeline for them and that just drives us to continue to do what we're doing.
"It's helped my husband and I as well because we're still grieving and we're still in this journey so its been really helpful for us because we also get support from the group."
READ NEXT: I am worried about my Glasgow pub after Scottish Water works forced its closure
As well as having the weekly face-to-face meeting, A Place Called Here has also held free well-being events including sound baths reiki, and guided meditation with each event based on dealing with prominent emotions that come with suicide loss such as guilt.
Natalie, 41, says the events have been "brilliant" at teaching people coping skills.
She said: "We just wanted to build some resilience in the community and give people an opportunity to try things they may not have tried without the support of the group or may not financially be able to access.
"There's been some real breakthroughs for people and they're on their own wee journey now.
"It's been a beautiful journey watching people change."
(Image: Robert Perry) Now, Natalie says A Place Called Here has applied for charity status to be able to apply for funding and potentially open up another group to meet demand.
In order to raise money, Anton is doing Mick's Highland Way, walking 150 miles over five days having set off on July 28.
He and a friend will walk the West Highland Way and more, pushing on for another 40miles past Fort William to end at the Silver Sands of Morar which Michael called "the closest place to heaven".
So far, they have raised more than £2650 on their GoFundMe which will be used towards paying for wellbeing events.
Explaining the route, Natalie said: "My dad absolutely loved Scotland, he was very much all about the beauty of Scotland.
"My whole childhood we spent in the north west of Scotland.
"That's where he was probably most at peace and the happiest I've ever seen him, so its really sentimental to do this."
Members of A Place Called Here at Rockys Boxing Gym catching some air after a rigorous session in the gym. (Image: Supplied)
A Place Called Here meets at Anderson Maguire on Springburn Road from 7.30pm to 9pm every Wednesday.
You can find out more at instagram.com/aplacecalledhere1 or via email at aplacecalledhere1@gmail.com
If you need support, you can call Samaritans for free 24-hours a day on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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