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• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Susan - Interview 20 >> On her daughter’s birthday- the first one after her death- Susan scattered some of Rose’s ashes on an island in Norfolk, Scolt Head, one of Susan’s fa

In 2005, Susan’s daughter, Rose, took her own life. She shot herself. Rose had had anorexia and then depression, and was later thought to have bipolar disorder. Susan feels angry because she believes that NHS psychiatric services were inadequate.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Felicity - Interview 2 >> Christmas without Alice was hard for the family. Felicity filled the house with flowers and candles and during the meal they talked especially about A

Felicity and Alex had a daughter, Alice. She had depression as a teenager, and was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 2004, at the age of 22, she took her own life. Felicity has found support from family, friends, her GP and Cruse.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Alex - Interview 3 >> Alex says that the anniversary of his daughter’s death is more difficult than birthdays, but as time passes memories become less painful.

Felicity and Alex had a daughter, Alice, who diagnosed with depression and then bipolar disorder. In 2004, aged 22, she killed herself. Alex felt that the role he took supporting others helped him to cope with the “fearful shock” of her suicide.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a parent >> Rachel - Interview 15 >> Rachel’s mother died 26 years ago but she always remembers the anniversary of her mother’s death.

In 1981 Rachel’s mother took her own life. She was probably ill with depression when she used a gun to kill herself. Rachel was 15 at the time and was not offered any professional support. Since then she has had some counselling, which has been helpful.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a brother or sister >> Kavita - Interview 33 >> Her brother died exactly a year before 9/11. She is in emotional turmoil from the end of August because of the anniversary and because his birthday wa

Kavita’s brother was 30 years old when he jumped to his death. He had been feeling suicidal for some time. Kavita felt “shattered” and desperately wanted help. She had counselling with a psychotherapist and found that SOBS was a “lifesaver”.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Bob - Interview 17 >> On the anniversary of Darren’s death Bob and Lynda sometimes release balloons with a message attached. They also buy Darren’s favourite food and eat a

In 1998 Bob’s son, Darren, died while on holiday in France. He died by hanging and the French police were sure it was suicide. Bob and his wife were shocked. They have found support via Compassionate Friends, SOBS and the internet group Parents of Suicide.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Amanda - Interview 5 >> On Lori’s birthday Amanda and her family and friends had a party at the cemetery. On the anniversary of his death they had a party and launched a fire

In 2005 Amanda’s son, Lori, took his own life. He was 21. Amanda thinks that sexual abuse may have been a reason for his suicide. She has found support via family, friends, church, internet [POS], Compassionate Friends, Papyrus, and psychotherapy.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Brenda - Interview 12 >> Brenda’s son died just before Christmas, so the first Christmas and New Year were very difficult. Mother’s day and Father’s day are hurdles to get ove

In 2005 Brenda’s 21-year-old son sadly died in ICU. He had been depressed for some time and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now Brenda focuses as much as she can on remembering the good memories they all shared as a family.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a partner, husband or wife >> Dolores - Interview 29 >> Dolores finds anniversaries difficult and she thinks that Christmas is horrendous because it implies a situation so unlike her own. She visits the chu

Dolores’ husband, Steve, developed mental health problems soon after their baby was born. He fell from a bridge in 2005 and died soon afterwards. Dolores felt distraught and very sad. She has found help though a psychologist, and SOBS, and web sites.

• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Lost a child >> Lucreta - Interview 39 >> The weeks before Christmas are difficult weeks for Lucreta. She grieves for her daughter when others are shopping and exchanging cards. All family occ

In 1996, Lucreta’s daughter, Dionne (also called Dominique), jumped to her death. She was 18 when she died. Lucreta had no idea that Dionne had been so unhappy, and was shocked by her death. Lucreta has found support from friends, her church, her GP, and counsellors.

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• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Bereavement due to suicide

Publication date: 28^th October 2008          Last updated: October 2010

Review date: October 2012

 

We interviewed 40 people bereaved by suicide. Some had been bereaved recently, others years ago. To find out about their experiences and the issues that affected them and where people found help, click on the links below.

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• Dying & bereavement >> Bereavement due to suicide >> Anniversaries and other special occasions >> Anniversaries and other special occasions

Anniversaries and other special occasions