Bereaved by Suicide

Have you lost someone to suicide and finding it extremely painful to deal with? There is always someone in the regiment you can talk to whenever you need them. Remember our motto, ‘Once a Fusilier, Always a Fusilier’. We take great pride in the fact that we are here for one another especially in our time of need.

Bereavement is hard and losing to someone to suicide is even harder. There is no right or wrong way to feel when you have lost someone to suicide, and it is important to remember that there is no timescale to grief if one at all. Life will never be the same again but with time and the right support you will feel different.

You will probably feel a range of emotions including:

Shock
Numbness
Anger
Guilt
Anxiety
Sadness
Physical symptoms such as headache, stomach pains or sickness

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There are things you can do to help

Speak to your GP
Talk to someone – a family member, friend or your family liaison/ welfare contact within the regiment. It’s most important to talk to someone you feel comfortable speaking to
Find a support group in your area or meet others who have also been bereaved – either geographically or others in the regiment who have lost a loved one through suicide
Make opportunities to remember – look at photographs of the person, write about them, be creative or do something positive in their memory like organising a fundraising event
Spend time outdoors – have a change of scene and perhaps combine it with some exercise
Remember the person – light a candle, plant a tree, something that you can do at a certain time on a certain day to remember them
Take part in activities/ hobbies
Look after yourself – eat healthy, try to get enough sleep and take care of yourself both physically and emotionally
Remember to take it one day at a time – everyone’s healing process is different. Go at your own pace.

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There are several organisations who are here to help and provide relevant information

MIND guide to bereavement by suicide - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/bereavement/bereavement-by-suicide/

Cruse Bereavement Care – https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/for-military-families

Scotty’s Little Soldiers – a charity for bereaved British Forces Children – https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/

SSAFA – https://www.ssafa.org.uk/

Veterans UK Advice and support for veterans & ex-forces | Veterans’ Gateway (veteransgateway.org.uk)

The Army Welfare Service is available on 01904 882053, Monday to Friday 08:30-16:00