The journey for those bereaved by suicide is often marked by profound silence, a heavy burden of grief, and the isolating weight of stigma. At HUGG, we’re dedicated to fostering an Ireland where individuals impacted by suicide loss find not just support and hope, but also the freedom to speak openly about their loss. Our video series, “I Am Bereaved By Suicide,” aims to shatter this silence. It opens up essential conversations and ensures our loved ones are remembered without shame. In a deeply moving video, Elaine, a HUGG volunteer and facilitator of a suicide bereavement support group, shares her courageous story of finding life-saving support after suicide loss.
In a deeply moving video, Elaine, a HUGG volunteer and facilitator of a HUGG suicide bereavement support group, shares her courageous story. She highlights the immense relief she found in life-saving support after suicide loss. Titled “Elaine’s Story: Life After Losing My Son to Suicide | HUGG Volunteer on the Power of Peer Support,” her experience illustrates the transformative impact of peer connection and the critical importance of postvention (the activities and initiatives that occur after a suicide).
Finding a Place to Breathe: The Power of Life-Saving Support
For Elaine, the ability to speak openly about her son Dan after his death brought immense relief. She describes the peer support she received from HUGG as, in her words, “life-saving.” This profound relief came from being with people who “got it,” who truly understood her unique pain. The HUGG support group became a place where she could, for the first time, “breathe.” This experience underscores a vital truth for those bereaved by suicide: finding a community that offers empathy and understanding can be a lifeline.
Postvention is Prevention: Addressing Suicidal Thoughts
Elaine also touches upon the critical concept that postvention is prevention. She openly discusses that individuals who are bereaved by suicide can themselves experience suicidal thoughts. This is a rarely spoken truth, yet acknowledging it and creating a safe space to talk about it is crucial. Knowing that you are not alone in these thoughts, that others understand, can indeed be life-saving. HUGG provides this vital space, where such difficult but necessary conversations can happen, offering a pathway to connection and hope.
From Grieving Mother to Group Facilitator: Elaine’s Journey Sustains Her
Elaine’s journey has evolved from seeking support to providing it. She now facilitates a suicide bereavement support group. She genuinely looks forward to her group sessions, finding that being a volunteer sustains her and gives her energy. This role allows her to tap into something very deep, a profound connection to her own experience and the desire to help others navigate their grief. She often wonders what people did before HUGG came along, emphasizing the invaluable role the organisation plays in the lives of those bereaved by suicide.
Elaine’s story is a testament to the enduring power of human connection in the face of profound loss. By sharing her experience, she not only honours her son Dan, but also extends a hand to countless others, inviting them into a conversation that offers understanding and hope.
We invite you to witness Elaine’s inspiring journey and understand the life-saving support after suicide loss that HUGG provides.
View Elaine’s full story below or watch it on Youtube and discover the power of peer support and postvention
If you are bereaved by suicide and resonate with Elaine’s experience, please know that HUGG offers a compassionate community where you can find support, understanding, and freedom from stigma.
- Join a HUGG support group: Connect with others who understand and find a safe space for your grief. Join a HUGG Support Group
- Find HUGG support group locations: Locate a community near you to begin your healing journey. HUGG Support Groups
- Search our resources page: Access helpful articles and information on navigating suicide bereavement. Find Support After a Suicide