Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Melanie - Interview 21

In 2006 Melanie's husband, Simon, took his own life while the 'balance of his mind was disturbed.' He jumped to his death. Melanie and her three young children were devastated. They have found help via counselling, support groups and the internet

  • Background

    Melanie is a barrister. She is a widow with 3 children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Susan - Interview 20

    In 2005, Susan's daughter, Rose, took her own life. She shot herself. Rose had had anorexia and then depression, and was later thought to have bipolar disorder. Susan feels angry because she believes that NHS psychiatric services were inadequate.

  • Background

    Susan is a farmer and university student. She is married and has 2 grown-up children and 2 step-children. She also had a daughter who died. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Ted - Interview 19

    Ted was 12 years old when his father took his own life by hanging. Ted's family found it hard to talk about it and Ted lacked information. He felt intense grief during that first year. Ted has found help by researching his father's life and through SOBS.

  • Background

    Ted is a web designer. He is married and has 2 children (1 grown-up). Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 56
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jasvinder - Interview 18

    Jasvinder's sister, Robina, died in 1987 from burns. She had an unhappy marriage and told her husband she was going to take her own life. Jasvinder has kept her sister's memory alive by setting up Karma Nirvana, a project that advocates for Asian people.

  • Background

    Jasvinder is the director of Karma Nirvana. She is also an author. She is divorced and has 3 children (1 grown-up). Ethnic background/nationality: British/Indian.

  • Age at interview 42
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Bob - Interview 17

    In 1998 Bob's son, Darren, died while on holiday in France. He died by hanging and the French police were sure it was suicide. Bob and his wife were shocked. They have found support via Compassionate Friends, SOBS and the internet group Parents of Suicide.

  • Background

    Bob is a keyboard operator. He is married and has a grown-up child. He had another child who died. Ethnic background/nationality: White English.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Michael - Interview 16

    Michael was aged 29 when his friend took his own life. It was in 1994 when his friend died in a fume filled garage. At the time Michael took time off work and found most support by talking to his friends and by supporting others who were grieving.

  • Background

    Michael is a crown servant. He is in a civil partnership. Ethnic background/nationality: White Australian.

  • Age at interview 42
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Rachel - Interview 15

    In 1981 Rachel's mother took her own life. She was probably ill with depression when she used a gun to kill herself. Rachel was 15 at the time and was not offered any professional support. Since then she has had some counselling, which has been helpful.

  • Background

    Rachel is a housewife. She is married and has 2 children aged 3 and 5. Ethnic background/nationality: white British.

  • Age at interview 41
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Maurice - Interview 14

    In 1984 Maurice and Jane's son Tom took his own life by hanging. Jane and Maurice were shocked and devastated. Maurice found most support from friends and colleagues. The local vicar has also been helpful.

  • Background

    Maurice is a veterinary pathologist. He is married and has 1 adult child. He had another child who died. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 70
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jane - Interview 13

    In 1984 Jane and Maurice's son Tom took his own life by hanging. Jane and Maurice were shocked and devastated. Jane found support from friends. Counselling and a support group were also helpful.

  • Background

    Jane is a part-time riding instructor. She is married with 1 adult child. She had another child who died. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 65
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Brenda - Interview 12

    In 2005 Brenda's 21-year-old son sadly died in ICU. He had been depressed for some time and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now Brenda focuses as much as she can on remembering the good memories they all shared as a family.

  • Background

    Brenda is a housewife and is married. She had 1 son who died. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Female