Family testimony underpins county-wide support drive
A Powys woman is sharing the experience of losing her brother to suicide as part of a local push to ensure people know what help is available after a bereavement. The effort is being promoted through the Farming Fit programme in collaboration with Powys County Council, Powys Teaching Health Board and the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO).
Mollie Hooper, now 25, lost her brother Tom, aged 21, in 2024. By speaking publicly, she hopes others will be able to find support sooner and feel less alone in the most difficult weeks and months following a death.
“The service was brilliant. They knew exactly what to do and helped us through everything – from dealing with officials to just having someone to talk to who wasn’t in our immediate family.”
Ms Hooper and her family were referred to the NHS Postvention Service, which offers both practical assistance and emotional support to people bereaved by suicide. She said the guidance helped to make sense of unfamiliar processes and eased pressure on the family at a time of shock and grief.
What the campaign aims to do
The local partnership is using Farming Fit to draw attention to established services for anyone touched by suicide – not only those struggling with their own mental health, but also relatives, friends, neighbours and wider communities dealing with loss. Farming Fit’s audience in rural Powys makes it a practical channel for reaching people who may not routinely look for support or who prefer to seek help within a familiar community setting.
- Signposting to professional and voluntary services that can provide immediate and longer-term help.
- Practical guidance on procedures that follow a sudden death, including contact with officials.
- Emotional support from trained staff who are independent of the family circle.
- Community awareness to encourage conversations and reduce isolation after a bereavement.
Ms Hooper, who grew up and works within Powys’s farming community, said having a neutral person to talk to was especially valuable when those closest were also grieving.
“It was just good to speak to someone slightly removed from everything. When you’re going through something like that, it’s hard to think straight.”
Personal story illustrates practical help
Recalling the weeks after her brother’s death, Ms Hooper said the support team helped the family navigate decisions and formalities that few are ready for. She described Tom as mature beyond his years, with a dry sense of humour and a love of the outdoors; while she went into agriculture, he found his way into construction. Her account is being shared to encourage others to reach out for assistance at an early stage.
“No one prepares you for things like speaking to a coroner or dealing with everything that comes after. The support helped guide us through all of that and took away some of the pressure at a really difficult time.”
Wider context: suicide in Wales
According to figures cited from the Samaritans, there were 436 registered suicides in Wales in 2024. The charity also highlights that men remain around three times more likely to die by suicide than women. While the reasons behind individual deaths are complex, these trends underline the importance of accessible, well-publicised support for those at risk and for those left behind.
| Indicator | Wales |
|---|---|
| Registered suicides (2024) | 436 |
| Gender disparity | ~3:1 (men to women) |
How people in Powys can seek help
The local partnership’s message is straightforward: if you have been affected by suicide, whether recently or in the past, there are services in Powys that can listen, advise and help with practicalities. The NHS Postvention Service provides structured support for people bereaved by suicide, while Farming Fit and voluntary organisations work alongside statutory services to ensure people know where to turn.
Residents are encouraged to speak with their GP or engage with trusted local points of contact, who can make referrals where appropriate. For those supporting someone else, the campaign promotes simple, early steps: check in, listen without judgement, and guide people towards professional help.
By bringing a family’s lived experience into the open, the Powys initiative is seeking to normalise conversations about grief and recovery, and to ensure that those navigating the aftermath of a suicide are not left to manage alone.
Images of Tom and Mollie shared with the campaign reinforce the very personal nature of the issue, while the structured support available aims to provide steady, practical assistance when it is most needed.
