I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Tim De Goey all the way from the Sunshine Coast of Australia, and, wow, did we dive deep into an important topic—workplace postvention. If you’re scratching your head on what that is, think of it as the action plan for when your workplace is rocked by a suicide, whether it’s a coworker, a family member, or even a retiree. We’re not talking about sweeping it under the rug; it’s about facing it head-on with empathy and a solid game plan. Tim shared some real gems, like breaking down the first crucial steps for workplaces to provide a safe space for people to grieve and process their sorrow. Can you believe that some places just try to march on like nothing’s happened? Yikes!
We reviewed Tim’s concept of postvention having a "long tail," meaning support doesn’t just stop after the first few weeks. It’s about understanding that this grief journey isn’t linear and those poignant reminders and milestone events will crop up, hitting some colleagues harder than others. Tim shared practical advice from Standby’s toolkits that help workplaces navigate these rough waters with compassion and structure—think checklists and timeframes, people! It’s the little things, like lighting candles or a simple memorial, that can make a profound difference. The takeaway? Let’s not be afraid to talk about these daunting topics and create a nurturing environment for our work family. Trust me, it’s the conversations we need to have, not fear. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and build these supportive spaces, together!
About Tim:
Tim De Goey is a Partnership Coordinator for StandBy Support After Suicide, Australia’s leading suicide postvention service.
Prior to working at StandBy, Tim spent 15 years on the frontline as a Police Officer serving in both the Western Australian and the Queensland Police Services. Tim lost two colleagues to suicide within in a 12-month period, and is passionate about ensuring First Responders are supported by those with a lived experience, who can understand the unique challenges First Responders may be exposed to in their line of duty and when affected by suicide loss.
StandBy is dedicated to assisting people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide. This free service can help First Responders to refer and connect those bereaved or impacted by suicide to support services, and also support First Responders impacted by suicide loss.
For more information visit www.standbysupport.com.au
Contact Tim: tim.degoey@standbysupport.com.au
TAKEWAYS:
Empowering Internal Communities: By involving those most affected in planning and creating support mechanisms, workplaces can ensure meaningful and tailored support is provided.
Recognizing the Long Tail of Postvention: Postvention is not a short-term intervention. It extends over a long period and requires ongoing support and recognition of the grief journey.
Show Notes
A Manager’s Guide to Suicide Postvention https://workplacesuicideprevention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/managers-guidebook-to-suicide-postvention-web.pdf
Workplace toolkit Workplace response to suicide: https://standbysupport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Standby_WorkplaceToolkit_F_18.11.20.pdf
Checklist and Action Plan: https://standbysupport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Standby-WT-Checklist_Employee-Impacted-22-Editable.pdf
Support After a Suicide https://standbysupport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Support-After-Suicide-Toolkit-Postvention-Response-For_Site_Owners_And_Leadership-1.pdf
Suicide Bereavement Tools and Information on International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://afsp.org/ive-lost-someone/
