Bereavement by Suicide – Understanding the Impact and Finding Support
Suicide is not only a deeply personal tragedy but also a social one. The effects ripple outwards, touching families, friends, schools, workplaces, and whole communities. Every life lost to suicide leaves behind many others trying to make sense of a grief that is often uniquely painful and difficult to bear.
The Uniqueness of Suicide Bereavement
A bereavement by suicide is unlike any other kind of loss. It often brings an intensity and range of emotions that may feel frightening, overwhelming, and uncontrollable. Feelings of self-reproach, social isolation, and abandonment are common, and the initial shock can feel almost unbearable.
One of the hardest parts is the struggle with the usually unanswerable question: “Why?” This relentless search for meaning or explanation can add to the pain. To make matters more difficult, suicide bereavement is still surrounded by stigma. Many people outside the immediate family care deeply but feel unsure how to react. They may keep their distance for fear of saying the wrong thing, or because they do not know how to respond if you become upset. This silence can deepen the sense of isolation for those who are grieving.
The Scale of the Issue
The statistics are sobering:
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.
- Three times as many men as women die by suicide.
- In 2023, 7,055 deaths were officially registered as suicide in the UK – an average of 19 people every single day (Office for National Statistics).
These numbers remind us why initiatives such as 3 Dads Walking and the Baton of Hope are so important. By raising awareness and challenging stigma, they encourage us all to have open, compassionate conversations about suicide and mental health.
How We Can Help Prevent Suicide
Suicide is complex, but we know that prevention is possible. Teaching effective coping strategies, resilience, and problem-solving skills can help protect against suicide risk. Increasing awareness of available support and encouraging people to seek help when struggling are crucial steps.
Listening without judgement is one of the most powerful tools we have. Talking about suicidal thoughts does not make things worse – in fact, it can bring relief, help rationalise overwhelming feelings, and reduce isolation. Teaching children and young people emotional regulation and resilience skills equips them to cope with life’s challenges more effectively.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space to process the intense and complicated emotions of suicide bereavement. Whether you are experiencing shock, anger, guilt, or despair, having a trained professional to listen without judgment can help you find ways to cope with and live alongside the loss.
As a counsellor specialising in grief, loss, and life-changing events, I support people through the unique challenges of suicide bereavement. Together, we can explore your feelings, discover meaning, and work towards healing at your own pace and in your own way.
You don’t have to go through this alone.
Use the Get In Touch tab to arrange a call-back.