Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. It takes collaboration, compassion, and a shared commitment to create lasting change.
That’s why 2wish is proud to be a member of the National Suicide Prevention Network, a UK-wide initiative established by The Royal Foundation. Bringing together organisations from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Network exists to strengthen suicide prevention efforts, improve support for those affected, and create opportunities to learn from one another’s expertise and experiences.
By working collectively, members of the Network can share knowledge, identify emerging challenges, develop practical solutions and help shape a more coordinated national approach to suicide prevention. At its heart, the National Suicide Prevention Network is driven by a simple but vital mission: to save lives, challenge stigma, encourage conversations, and ensure that people receive the support they need when they need it most.
At 2wish, our commitment to supporting those affected by suicide is deeply personal. In 2012, our founder and CEO, Rhian Mannings, experienced the sudden death of her one-year-old son, George. With no support available to help the family cope with their grief, Rhian’s husband, Paul, died by suicide just five days later.
Determined that no one should face such devastating circumstances alone, Rhian founded 2wish to provide support to those affected by grief, trauma and bereavement. Since then, we have supported thousands of families, professionals and communities following the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young adult.
Through this work, we have seen the profound impact suicide can have on those left behind and understand the importance of timely, compassionate support. Our bereavement training helps professionals better understand the complexities of sudden and unexpected loss, including suicide, and equips them with the knowledge and confidence to support individuals and families navigating their grief journey.
Since joining the National Suicide Prevention Network, 2wish has been working to strengthen support for individuals and families affected by suicide.
Through funding received from the Royal Foundation, we undertook research to better understand the needs of people bereaved by suicide and identify opportunities to develop specialist support. This work informed the creation of a dedicated peer support programme, designed to provide a safe and compassionate space for individuals to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Alongside delivering direct support, we have worked with specialist professionals to enhance our knowledge and expertise in suicide bereavement. This has included providing additional training for our Support Team, helping them feel more confident and equipped to support children and young people affected by suicide.
Our commitment to this work extends beyond the families we support directly. Through public training, including our Supporting Children and Young People Bereaved by Suicide sessions, we are helping to increase understanding, build confidence and empower communities to better support those affected by suicide.
The impact of this work has already been significant. Participants attending our peer support groups have described the sessions as life-changing, with some sharing that they had never previously felt able to talk openly about their experiences. One attendee told us:
“I would have been lost without these sessions.”
Through our involvement in the National Suicide Prevention Network, we are committed to continuing this work; developing resources, sharing learning, expanding support, and helping to create a more compassionate response to suicide across the UK.
