A Special Scar: The experiences of people bereaved by suicide

Alison Wertheimer

Written and researched by a bereaved sibling, this book covers the losses of siblings, parents, children and friends.

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Beyond the Rough Rock: Supporting a Child Who Has Been Bereaved Through Suicide

Di Stubbs and Julie Stokes

This booklet offers practical advice for families in the immediate days and weeks when suicide has been the cause of death. It aims to give parents and professionals the confidence to involve children in discussions about the nature of a death by suicide.

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Don't Let Them Tell You How to Grieve: Lines to let you know you are not alone

Gina Claye   

Poems written by a mother who experienced the sudden deaths of her 19-year-old daughter by suicide and her 32-year-old son from encephalitis.

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Help is at hand: A resource for people bereaved by suicide

Department of Health 

This free guide is for people who are affected by suicide or other sudden, traumatic death. It aims firstly to help people who are unexpectedly bereaved in this way. It also provides information for healthcare and other professionals who come into contact with bereaved people, to assist them in providing help and to suggest how they themselves may find support if they need it.

Download from the Department of Health

I Love You, Sunshine

Addy Farmer and illustrated by Darren Gate

I Love You, Sunshine tells the story of how one dad dies by suicide and how it affects his eight year old daughter, Milly, and the rest of her family. It is a story of bereavement but it is also a story of love. It is intended as a way for all families bereaved by suicide to know that they are not alone; to build resilience through understanding; and to help take small steps forwards.

The story has been informed and developed through conversations with bereaved parents and with feedback from bereavement support practitioners at Child Bereavement UK. The charity has provided the important parental guidance notes to go alongside Milly’s story. These notes also point the way to support networks for families bereaved by suicide. The book is intended for distribution and sale to bereavement charities, to school counsellors and to anybody who might find it a useful resource.

Available from Addy Farmer where 5% of all sales will go to Child Bereavement UK or Buy from Amazon

Losing Liam

Sue Bracknell   

Poems written following the author's son’s suicide in 2003, helping her to connect with him and to grieve. 

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Luna’s Red Hat

Emmi Smid

This book tells the story of Luna, whose mum died by suicide one year ago and she still finds it difficult to understand why. Dad talks to her and explains what happened, and together they think about all the happy memories they have of Mum. This book is designed to be read with children age 6+ who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide. It includes a guide for parents and professionals.

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Red Chocolate Elephants: For children bereaved by suicide - Book & DVD 

Diana C.Sands  

Provides adults with the understanding and assistance to support primary school aged children experiencing the death of a family member to suicide. It is not intended for children to read on their own, but as an assisted reading activity with an adult, reading a few pages and taking the time to explore concerns. Provides a sensitive and appropriate means of engaging with children around the difficult question of death through suicide.

Buy from Child Bereavement UK

The Little Flower Bulb

Eleanor Gormally

The Little Flower Bulb tells the story of Jamie, his mum and his twin sisters, and of how Jamie comes to deal with the death of his father. Suitable for children aged 3-8, this beautifully illustrated book will be helpful for parents when talking to children bereaved by the suicide of a close relative.

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