We can never prepare ourselves for being bereaved by suicide and so, when a loved one, perhaps a family member, friend or colleague, takes their own life, we feel helpless and don’t know what to do or where to turn for support. Family and friends are the very best people to provide initial support, but it can also be very helpful to talk to others who have had a similar experience, which is why we include Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide in our links. They run over 40 support groups nationwide. There are a wide variety of organisations and materials available to provide help and many are included on these pages.
However we understand that everyone reacts differently at different times, even within the same family and so will need access to different types of help, whether it’s visiting a support group, reading books, seeing family and friends or just being on your own.
Our experience is that you can come through the dark days and have hope for the future after being bereaved by suicide… with support from a wide variety of sources. Perhaps most important of all though, if you are feeling low, please talk to a family member or friend and seek help from your GP.
One of our core members – If You Care Share – have created a two booklets: Support After Suicide and The Road Ahead – both can be helpful in the aftermath of a suicide. Another of our core members – CALM – also have a leaflet that they give out to bereaved families and you can download this here
The NHS has also created a booklet called Help Is At Hand which again focuses on being bereaved by suicide and their webpage on coping after a suicide gives some useful advice on day to day activities which can help you get though the grief.
We have also included a PDF Guide to Coroners & Inquests which can be very helpful in getting through that process.
If you want to get help for a child who has been bereaved by suicide then Winston’s Wish is a great place to start they have an information sheet and also a helpline 08452 03 04 05 and provide support both for children who have been bereaved by suicide and their families. Another avenue to support bereaved children is Child Bereavement UK, their professionally trained bereavement support workers are available to take calls 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Tel: 01494 568900.