Wesley-commissioned survey found 55% see gaps
More than half of Australians believe people who lose someone to suicide do not get enough support while grieving, according to new national research commissioned by Wesley Mission.
McCrindle found 55% of Australians think people bereaved by suicide are not receiving enough support. Wesley Mission linked the findings to the broad effect of suicide across families, friends and communities.
Research cited by the organisation estimates a single suicide can affect about 135 people. As a result, Wesley Mission says chances to gather, remember a person and seek help can matter for people dealing with suicide bereavement.
Ahead of that, Wesley LifeForce will hold the Sydney Suicide Memorial Service on Saturday 5 September 2026 from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. The non-denominational event is open to anyone impacted by suicide.
Sydney memorial service includes counsellors
The service will include music, stories of lived experience, hope and a sunflower ceremony. Attendees are invited to bring a photo of their loved one and add a personal tribute to the memorial wall.
Counsellors will be available during the event. After the service, sunflowers will be scattered into Sydney Harbour in memory of lives lost.
Wesley Mission says the flowers symbolise hope, strength and resilience. The memorial aims to bring together people who understand suicide bereavement and want to remember someone they have lost.
Rev Stu Cameron, Wesley Mission’s chief executive, said the figures point to what he described as the enormous and often unseen cumulative impact of suicide.
“When more than half of Australians tell us people grieving a suicide are not getting enough support, we need to listen,” Cameron said.
He said grief after suicide can be profound and long-lasting, and added that no one should feel they have to navigate it alone. Cameron also said bereavement by suicide often comes with profound loneliness.
Wesley Mission scheduled the memorial service for 3 September 2026, two days before it takes place on 5 September 2026. The organisation did not disclose the location details in the material provided.
