“We’ve found him. He’s not alive. And it’s clear he has done it to himself.”
These were the fifteen unforgettable words I heard from the police who delivered the shocking news that my husband, Steve, had taken his own life.
No warning. No signs. No note left behind. No explanation given.
Loss by suicide is like grief with a microphone. Everything is amplified. Louder, sharper, deafening at times.
Over the years, Caroline has discovered that time cannot heal a catastrophic loss like this. It just dampens the noise a little. All the sorrowful sounds of bereavement continue to be heard through every moment and milestone of life. Yet, the sweet singing of the blackbird can be heard when the storm passes too.
Through her writing, Caroline reflects on her most personal thoughts, experiences and learnings, and those of her young children, to give a voice to those left behind.
Whether you’re suffering from loss directly, or are supporting a friend, relative or colleague whose loved one has died by suicide, or are struggling with your own mental health, The Daddy Blackbird Story is an honest and relatable account that offers hope beyond the horror.
The Daddy Blackbird Story offers weekly moments and memories for those who want to hear this true story of horror to hope, and a family surviving and thriving after loss by suicide.
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Me:
In 2018, my husband of 18 years took his own life without warning, leaving behind our two young children. My journey following this tragedy led me to combine my lived experience with my professional skills and expertise to become a Strategic Communications and Wellbeing Specialist, mentor, and a public speaker where I shares my story of grief and loss to give a voice to those impacted by suicide. I have also written the best-selling book, ‘Daddy Blackbird, the true story of a family surviving and thriving after loss by suicide’.
The complex trauma resulting from Steve’s sudden suicide has defined my mission to support and empower others who have faced a similar tragedy, helping them to manage their grief, navigate their complex emotions, prioritise their own wellbeing, articulate their own story and ultimately find hope again.
