Arctic Bereavement Support Group (ABSG)

A suicide loss can be considered traumatic grief, where guilt, shame, anger and unanswered questions can trigger profound shaking of the bereaved's own existence.

Adequate help adapted to local circumstances and culture is therefore essential to prevent complicated grief and the development of mental illness, substance abuse problems, violence, dropping out of work and school.

The collaboration group (Arctic Bereavement Support Group) consists of key personnel from Norway, Iceland and Denmark/Greenland with broad expertise in grief support work for suicide survivors, suicide problems, and health and living conditions among indigenous people in Arctic regions.

The project aims to provide improved assistance and support for survivors after suicide in Arctic regions, adapted to lifestyle, culture and language of the various local populations. Survivors and those affected by suicide are a group at high risk of developing existential challenges and prolonged grief.

Our survey is ready to use.

English survey

Norwegian survey

Greenlandic survey

External partners: Samisk nasjonal kompetansetjeneste – psykisk helsevern og rus, Sami Klinihkka, Finnmarkssykehuset, Helsedirektoratet Island, Sorgarmidstod Island, Together in Grief Greenland (Det Nationale Sorgcenter, Danmark).

The Danish National Centre for Grief (DNCG)

The Danish National Centre for Grief (DNCG) is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to advance treatment, research and education within the field of grief. The center is dedicated to supporting not only bereaved people across ages, but also families and young carers with critically ill family members. Appointed by the Danish Board of Health, DNCG spearheads efforts gather and disseminate information about complicated grief reactions and relevant evidence-based treatment. Accordingly, the DNCG disseminates information about grief and grief reactions to health care providers as well as members of many other professions through training programs, lectures, and publications. The center also works to increase awareness about the needs of bereaved people on a broader scale, that is within the general population, in places of employment, and among policy- and lawmakers. As a treatment facility with multiple locations throughout Denmark, the DNCG offers specialized treatment to bereaved people of all ages and the families and young carers of critically ill family members. In addition, DNCG coordinates volunteer-based peer-to-peer grief support initiatives including support groups, a grief helpline, and mentoring programs. Approximately 80 volunteers are involved in running these programs. In close collaboration with partners in Greenland we work on different initiatives supporting bereaved people as well as building knowledge among professionals. Finally, DNCG collaborates with universities, institutions, and organizations within Denmark and abroad to improve the lives of people facing serious illness and death within their families. We are therefore proud and happy to serve as the administrative host organization for Bereavement Network Europe as well as one of the founding partners behind the European Grief Conference including the local host for the inaugural EGC 2022 in Copenhagen.

The Sami National Competence Service for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SANKS)

The Sami National Competence Service for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SANKS) is part of Finnmark Hospitality Trust and is responsible for providing specialized health services to the Sami population in the field of mental health and substance abuse in Norway and the four northernmost counties in Sweden.

SANKS is located in Karasjok and consists of several units, including:

Sámi Clinic: A clinic that offers assessment and treatment in mental health and substance abuse for everyone, with a special focus on Sami patients.
Specialist Medical Center: A center with permanent services and outpatient specialists who receive patients from all over Finnmark and the Finnish border municipalities.
SANKS Research and Development Department: A department that conducts research and development work in Sami mental health and substance abuse.

SANKS also has a national competence service that will contribute to the Sami population receiving an equivalent offer in mental health and substance abuse/addiction. The competence service offers education and dissemination of Sami cultural understanding and is a resource center for health personnel who work with Sami patients.

SANKS has its own national team located different places in Norway, Tromsø, Drag, Trondheim, Røros and Oslo, that works spread out so that the Sami population will have access to language and culturally adapted specialist health services near where they live.

You can read more about SANKS and their services on the Finnmark Hospitality Trust website.

Sorgarmiðstöð

Sorgarmiðstöð is Iceland's national center for grief support and was founded in 2018. It provides support, counseling, information and education to individuals, families, friends and various surroundings, who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The center is open to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Sorgarmiðstöð offers a variety of services, including:

• Individual and family counseling
• Various support groups
• Special support course for children and parents
• Peer support
• Regularly lectures for bereaved people
• Activities for bereaved people, i.e. special events, regular walks, yoga etc. (gratis)
• Support and lectures for the bereaved surroundings, i.e. workplaces, shools etc.
• A library of resources on grief and loss

The center's services are available in Icelandic and English.

Contact information for Sorgarmiðstöð:

• Address: Suðurgata 41, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.
• Phone: +354 551 4141.
• Website: https://sorgarmidstod.is/en/

VID Specialized University

VID Specialized University is one of Norway's largest private universities, with campuses spread across the country, from Oslo in the south to Tromsø in the north. It offers a wide range of programs in health and social sciences, theology, and leadership, and is known for its high quality of teaching and research. VID has roots dating back to 1843, and is the result of a merger between several recognized educational institutions. This has given the university a solid academic platform and a rich history. The university places great emphasis on educating professionals who can contribute to a better society, both locally and globally. This is reflected in the studies offered, which often have a strong focus on ethics, sustainability and social engagement. VID is also an active research institution, and contributes to new knowledge within its fields of study. The research is often linked to current social challenges, and the results are disseminated both nationally and internationally.