The Healing Narratives of Suicide Grief

Join us as Jenny Berry (writer, poet & speaker), shares her heartfelt story of losing her uncle to suicide and how she uses storytelling as a powerful tool for healing. A published writer and poet, Jenny facilitates writing workshops in diverse settings, including prisons, to help others process emotions and find relief through humor and creativity. In this episode, we delve into the impact of mental health on families and discuss the importance of sharing our stories to overcome the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness. Discover how Jenny's own experiences have informed her work in mental health, and how embracing writing and humour has helped her navigate grief and assist others in their healing journeys. Whether you're dealing with loss or seeking new tools for emotional wellbeing, this episode offers insights and inspiration to process pain and craft narratives of hope and resilience. Listen and watch with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9am-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In More resources for women after a suicide loss: www.suicidegriefsupport.com EMDR Suicide Grief Retreat April 2026 From this episode: www.jennyberry.co.uk Instagram Linked In

Join me, a psychologist and EMDR trauma therapist, as I lead you through Season 2 of 'Suicide Grief,' a heartfelt podcast aimed at sharing stories of hope, love, and resilience among those touched by suicide. This episode delves into my personal journey through anticipatory grief, stemming from the ongoing struggle of supporting my son, who has battled suicidal tendencies since the age of 11. I share my own healing processes, including the transformative power of sound therapy and self-discovery during a three-month trip to Bali. This podcast offers an empathetic space for individuals navigating the roller coaster of emotions tied to suicide grief, whether anticipated or experienced. Through my story, I hope to demonstrate the importance of self-care, community support, and finding personal healing pathways through life's toughest challenges. Listen in to find comfort, shared understanding, and the reassurance that, despite the darkness, there is always hope. Most importantly, listen and watch with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: https://www.instagram.com/suicide.grief.support/   Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com EMDR Suicide Grief Retreat April 2026 For your own support if you are caring for a struggling teenager: PMH | Support for parents facing childhood mental health issues

Kellie lost her son, Chris, to suicide 2 years ago. Kellie had adopted Chris when he was 3 years old and at 22 years of age, he took his own life after struggles with addiction. Kellie’s story has many layers and her honesty and bravery come forward in her words. Hear how: Kellie and her husband had very different grief reactions. the couple divided but then came back together again by establishing new boundaries. they created a platform for helping others which gave them both hope for the future. Kellie felt that her family foundations were “falling apart” and had to be rebuilt. Kellie is continuing her bonds with Chris by publishing a book, Mount Hope, which she calls a “love letter for the LGBTQI community.” Kellie felt she was ripped apart and had to hit the depths in order to rebuild who she was. Kellie won $75,000 not long after Chris died and how that impacted her journey. faith was a vital part of her healing. Mount Hope is available on Amazon and is a book about faith, sexuality and in the final chapter, Chris shows readers that suicide is not a sin in the religious context. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   Links you need from this episode: https://www.facebook.com/kellie.woolf https://www.instagram.com/kelliewoolf/ https://twitter.com/KellieKWoolf https://kelliewoolf.com Mount Hope eBook : Woolf, Kellie: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Mary lost her partner, Phil, to suicide 3½ years before recording this podcast. Mary has been a therapist for 30 years but had no idea how significant the loss would be until it happened to her. “Life has changed forever. I am changed forever.” We discuss the: statistics around suicide loss. absence of significant memorial sites - or silence that surrounds them. use of creativity in healing. shift in Mary’s career – from therapist to art student. history of suicide and how it is being played out in society today. silence and stigma that surrounds suicide. open inquest proceedings in the UK and how it affected Mary. lack of pro-active support Mary received. importance of community. physical effects of suicide loss. Mary would like to hear from you about how you have memorialised your loss or how you feel about the memorialisation of suicide loss in particular. If you feel as passionate about it as Mary does, please email Sue at sueeganpsychology@gmail.com and messages will be passed to Mary. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com

In episode 30, Sara shared how it was losing her son, Billy, to suicide almost 3 years ago. This episode is Keelie’s story - Keelie is Billy’s sister. Keelie shares what it was like from the perspective of being his older ‘protective’ sister and how difficult it was coping with Billy’s mental health difficulties. We discuss how: hard it was grieving with very young children. Keelie was inspired to start a running group, which helped her find herself and cope with the loss. all-consuming Billy’s illness was for the whole family. Keelie’s family made the decision to live a life worth living. resilient she has become. it has affected every area of her life. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: Keelie| Running 🏃🏼‍♀️ (@running.swimming.bubbles) • Instagram photos and videos Run4Rene | A mental health community that runs. Get running with Couch to 5K - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Andrea lost a good friend to suicide 8 years ago and shared her story of this in episode 28 Andrea is back to share what it was like telling her 7 year old twins and how she has coped with the mental health difficulties of her son, Isaac. We discuss- how to tell the children of a suicide loss and how to support them in grief. the effect suicide loss had on Isaac. how Andrea coped with Isaac’s suicide attempt and strategies she used to support him. how Andrea started to look after her own mental health and find her own support. the compassionate use of language around mental health. school ‘refusal’ and how to cope. how as parents and caregivers we need to understand the impact on ourselves in order to become assertive with other people about our children’s best interests. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: Andrea on Instagram Andrea on Facebook Andrea's website Parenting Mental Health Website

Cindy lost her 19 year old son, Andrew, the youngest of her 5 children, to suicide 4 years ago. Cindy speaks openly and honestly about how being a mum defines who she is and, since losing Andrew, how she has managed the physical and emotional manifestation of grief. Part of Cindy’s journey has been to start a charity – the Aslan foundation – in order to support others with teenagers struggling with their mental health. Cindy’s story is both moving and heartfelt – showing us how a mother’s love endures through everything and how Andrew will forever live on in her.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: The Aslan Foundation – Offering Help For today, Light for tomorrow, and hope a the future Instagram - The Aslan Foundation Mental Health Page Instagram - Aslan’s SurvivorsofSuicideLoss Page

20 years ago, Nick lost a friend at high school to suicide. Nick’s friend, Zaf had struggled with what was known as Manic Depression at the time (now recognised as Bipolar) and Nick discusses the struggles Zaf faced as a teenager. Nick shares the effect grief and guilt had on him and, without any support available to him or his friends at the time, why he had no idea how (or even why) to process his feelings. We hope that by Nick sharing his story, we can understand how adolescents may process grief and how we can best support them. For example, we discuss how it is best to foster open emotional relationships with adolescents so that when events like this happen, talking about emotions is acceptable and safe. Nick has learnt how to embrace his feelings and feels he is more emotionally mature due to what happened to Zaf. In particular, Nick has channelled some of his guilt into becoming a Samaritans listening volunteer and discusses the charity’s values and beliefs about suicide and how they support suicidal people. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com

This is Sara’s story of losing her son, Billy, to suicide in 2019. Sara trained to be a counsellor 20 years ago and found it helpful in staying strong and calm whilst caring for Billy during a long period of mental health difficulties shrouded by drug misuse. Sarah is passionate about talking about Billy and the discrimination he faced and her need to support him 24/7.  Since Billy’s death, Sara has become an advocate for raising awareness about the often ignored condition of Bipolar whilst seeking justice for Billy. In her story, Sara challenges and explains why some views of supporting suicidal people may not always be helpful and how cold water swimming has helped her cope with the confusing emotions she can often feel. This is a story of courage and justice.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: Sara on Instagram The Midnight Library book When It Is Darkest book  

Andrea lost her friend, Chris, to suicide 8 years ago. Chris had bipolar and Andrea and her family had supported him through his highs and lows. In this episode hear how: Andrea coped with telling her young children and how they have processed it since, she hid herself from the anger (towards herself and Chris) and then managed to process it – basically how she processed the conflict of “you caused us this pain” and “it wasn’t your fault,” Andrea’s physiotherapy career has taken a turn since realising humans are emotional and physical beings, Andrea handled the guilt of thinking she could have saved Chris, different therapies have helped her, Andrea handled the internal argument between her body, heart and mind. Andrea has found self-compassion using art. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: Parenting Mental Health Andrea's website - Rafiki Art Andrea on Instagram Andrea on Facebook

This is an inspiring story of hope from Bee, a suicide attempt survivor who wishes to help suicide loss-survivors heal from the responsibility and guilt they may feel. Since her attempt, Bee is on a mission as a mental health advocate to make sure she does all she can to reduce the lives lost to suicide. After having her own grief and struggling with mental health problems since a young age, Bee gives amazing insights on her own journey. Hear us discuss many issues of mental health and suicide. Including why Bee did what she did that day and how she shares this to help us understand how depression confused her thinking so much and clouded reality. Please listen to this with extra care. Bee and I share this discussion because I do believe by understanding suicide more, we can start to make sense of why our loved ones did what they did.  I am also acutely aware that there is always a myriad of reasons why people take their own lives, but hope that with the complexity of every suicide-attempt story I share, society begin to understand that suicide is never simple. I am also very aware that stories like this can be difficult to listen to as suicide-loss survivors because we so wish our loved ones were still here to share their story. Hence please listen when you feel able to and switch off at any point if you are noticing it is too much for you to hear right now. These podcasts will remain here as long as podcasts exist, so you can always revisit it when you are at a different point in your journey with grief. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: Bee on Instagram Bee on Facebook Twitter: Beeinspiredtalk   

Breanna talks of losing her high school friend to suicide 5 years ago and how she developed her therapeutic yoga practice to heal from her loss. Breanna’s story is full of helpful information about grief yoga and how we can heal our bodies. Hear what grief yoga is and what the benefits are amongst Breanna’s experience of different types of loss. Particularly how her high school group of friends coped with their friend’s suicide and the inevitability of guilt amongst everyone. Breanna’s story shows us how there is no hierarchy to grief – no limit - everyone who cared for that person is entitled to experience grief based on their relationship and everyone deserves to be acknowledged and supported.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: https://breannayoga.com/ Breanna's Grief Series Breanna on Instagram

Olivia is bravely living with the effects of her father’s suicide attempt and has lost her Aunty and several friends to suicide. This is Olivia's story. As a clinical psychologist from South Africa, Olivia recognises she wears two hats – a caring professional for a suicide liaison service in North London and a daughter who grew up trying to cope with her father’s mental health problems, addictions and consequently, the brain damage he is left living with.  We discuss: The grieving process when your loved one changes beyond the person you remember. Anger which needed to be redirected away from internalisation. The effect of trauma on the body and mind. How Olivia managed as a child living in a chaotic world. Shame and how it affected both Olivia and her father. The difference between shame and guilt. Merging the professional and the personal after suicide. How Olivia manages to continue to live with her father’s illness and physical condition. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The Links you need from this episode: Rethink Mental Illness Email: Olivia.Guerini@rethink.org

Kristina from Vancouver lost her sister Erin in late 2013, 7 years at the time of recording this podcast. In this powerful episode Kristina describes how her family decided to talk about what her sister couldn’t –  mental health. The COVID lockdown has given Kristina time to pause and consider how to best talk about her sister’s suicide. She has started training for an Iron Man event and thrown herself into learning everything she can about mental health and suicide.  As both sisters who have lost a much loved sibling, we discuss: How to talk about suicide. The difference between mental health and physical health. The challenges of supporting others through their mental health. How Kristina felt she wanted to defend Erin. How best to try and understand suicide without ever knowing the full truth. Handling social situations and how others can best support us. Grief and gratitude. Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: Kristina on Instagram Suicide Support in Vancouver

This is Jane’s story. Jane lost her husband, Terry, to suicide in November 2019 and is in the process of starting a charity in his name (TRH Charity). In this episode we discuss: • Why Jane is starting a charity. • How we can work as a community to offer more proactive support. • How Jane managed all of the ‘why’ questions. • How suicide grief is different to other types of grief. • How Jane found solace through the church.  A real story of trying to come to terms with a suicide loss.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   The links you need from this episode: TRH Charity Survivors of Bereavement through Suicide (SOBS)    

It was only when Kathy lost her son and ex-husband to murder-suicide in April 2020 she realised how grief had affected her whole life. Kathy lost both her Dad and Aunt to suicide before she was a teenager and her brother in a motorbike accident aged 22. Kathy developed chronic physical illnesses as a child and sought her own ways of healing something she thought was wrong with herself. After her son died and took his father with him, Kathy spiralled into grief and realised she didn’t need fixing but needed to grieve. She is doing so, consciously and mindfully, making time to grieve whilst doing everything she can to help her daughter grieve too. In this powerful episode Kathy and I discuss: The physical effects of grief. Breathwork, meditation, nature and yoga. Catholicism and suicide. Combatting guilt. Loneliness. How to communicate with children around grief. How Kathy continues her bond with her son – not his final act. How Kathy is managing to balance grief with life. A very touching story full of wisdom, vulnerability and strength.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com  

Tracy lost her teenage daughter, Chelsie, to suicide 15 years ago and brings bucket-loads of wisdom to this episode. Tracy shares many things: from how it felt parenting her son through his emotional difficulties to common issues found after suicide loss like the relationship fractures, stigma, shame and physical pain she experienced. We also discuss word choices around suicide, the lack of support available for suicide-loss survivors and how we feel people can best support us.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   Links you need from this episode: JOURNEY THRU GRIEF Email: info@journeythrugrief.com Journey Through Your Suicide Loss Podcast  Facebook Page Instagram Page Support for those who are supporting children or teens through mental health issues Alliance of Hope

Amy lost her Mum to suicide when she was 21 years old and the family didn’t speak about it, leaving her just to get on with life. It wasn’t until she was 31 years old and her grandmother died that Amy realised she needed to find a way through her grief. Amy discussed how she did this through using natural holistic solutions.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   Find Amy here… Amy on Instagram Webinar - Healing our 3 brains Amare Free Meditation from Amy Young Living Thieves Starter Kit (Use Sponsor Code: #3559939)  

Sasha’s Mum died in an accident 8 years ago when Sasha was 29. She then lost her Dad to suicide almost 3 years ago and that changed the trajectory of her grief. Sasha felt that her mum’s death was going to prepare her for her Father’s death but she was surprised at the different layers that came and had to learn how to manoeuvre through the waves of grief again. We discuss: the differences between suicide loss and other losses what it was like for Sasha becoming an orphan as an adult Sasha’s confusion around her dad's death and how she had to break through that in order to process the rest of her grief what it felt like for our families to shrink so quickly how Sasha changed the trajectory of her career and is living a more meaningful life A very real, daughter’s story.   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com   Find Sasha here: IG: the_grieving_daughter Buy Sasha's Book 'She Grieves'  

This is Laurence’s touching story of losing his partner, James, to suicide 8 years ago.   Hear how Laurence: • did his absolute best to support James through his mental health difficulties. • had friends that helped by just being there. • coped when a lot of friends scattered. • got stuck - feeling like he was living for James. • coped with the blame and anger he felt from others. • had to get to know ‘suicide.’   Please listen with care and know there are people out there that can help and support you.  Within the UK:  Samaritans - Free on 116 123  Suicide&Co - Free on 0800 054 8400 Mon-Friday 9aam-9pm  Within the US:  Suicide Hotline: Free on 1-800-273-8255 or text 742741  Find Dr Sue: Instagram Facebook Linked In For more resources: www.suicidegriefsupport.com For EMDR Grief Retreats - www.EMDRGriefRetreat.com