Caroline Roodhouse

Thanks Murali. They really are x

Suicide loss and prevention - Rethink Mental Illness Suicide affects everyone. Whether you are having suicidal thoughts, have attempted to take your own life, or lost someone to suicide, Rethink Mental Illness is here for you.

Ahead of #SurvivorsOfSuicideLossDay, I spoke with @rethinkcharity.bsky.social about my grief journey and how I now feel more hopeful about the future.

You can watch my short film here...

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideAwareness #Grief #Loss #MentalHealth

Better words exist. Let’s use them.

❌ We don’t say “committed suicide.”

We choose gentler alternatives, like “died by suicide.”

Because no one commits cancer. Or heartbreak.

It’s not political correctness. It’s kindness.

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss #Grief #Hope

Grief doesn’t expire

I used to think grief had a timeline. My workplace definitely did.

But it doesn’t work like that.

It shifts, softens, spikes, surprises, years later.

Not because we’re failing to ‘move on’, but because love keeps living alongside us.

Missing someone does too 💔

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss

Suicide and the Workplace A Practical First Steps Guide This guide complements BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace and assists organizations in taking action in a manageable way.

Thank you! It’s already been downloaded by thousands of organisations in over 60 countries. You can download it here if you’d like to have a look… www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insigh...

You’re so kind. It was an incredible event to launch an amazing standard and it was a privilege to be part of it all! ☺️💛

A collage of photos taken of people and monuments at the launch of the British Standard at Speakers House, Westminster

This time yesterday I was travelling to Westminster for the launch of the new British Standard on Suicide and the Workplace (BS30480).

It’s been called trailblazing and life-changing and I’m proud to have written the accompanying First Steps Guide.

An incredible experience.

#DaddyBlackbird

I’m so sorry you’ve been through this too, Dianna. I dedicated whole chapters in my book to paperwork and sadmin. And struggling to make decisions too. So much to wade through while grieving. It’s debilitating x

Real care begins in the spaces others miss

One thing I wasn’t prepared for after Steve’s suicide was how messy the “systems” were.

Police, coroners, schools, services… everyone trying, but none of it joined up.

You’re navigating the gaps no one warns you about.

And it’s in those gaps that real compassion is needed most.

#DaddyBlackbird

“Compassion doesn’t need a script.”

You don’t need perfect words.

You just need presence.

If someone tells you they’ve lost someone to suicide, don’t panic.

Say: I’m so sorry. That must be incredibly hard.

Then stay 💛

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss #Grief #Hope

Ah, thanks, Vic. And the same to you! 💛🐦‍⬛💛

A range of different birds sit on a signpost that points in all directions. There are butterflies around them. The accompanying text reads: when we come together, we find strength in numbers, resilience in unity… and hope in each other .

Your tribe is the anchor when storms arise and the wind beneath your wings when you soar.

When you need to feel hope, look for it in the people around you 💛

#DaddyBlackbird #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #SuicideLoss #Kindness #Compassion #Hope

Suicide doesn’t discriminate. Compassion shouldn’t either.

❌MYTH: It only happens to certain people.

✔️FACT: #Suicide doesn’t belong to one gender, culture, age, or group. Although we know it’s more common among men, it can affect anyone.

We all have a role to play in noticing, listening, and supporting 💛

#DaddyBlackbird #ChangeTheNarrative

Trauma pierces through the armour we build. Be kind to yourself as you heal.

The Greek word for trauma literally means “to pierce one’s armour.”

It breaks through our emotional protection leaving us exposed.

It explains why grief can feel raw and overwhelming.

If you’re grieving, recognise the pain - go slowly and go gently.

#DaddyBlackbird #Grief #SuicideLoss

Suicide is not the subject for a school run Daddy Blackbird #30

The school run should be a safe place.

But after Steve’s suicide, it became a moment of impossible questions, hidden grief, and invisible burdens.

Read about it in article #30: Suicide is not the subject for a school run ❤️‍🩹

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss #Care #Compassion #MentalHealth 🐦‍⬛

You don’t get over it, you grow around it.

❌ MYTH: You should be ‘over it’ by now.

✔️ FACT: There’s no deadline for grief. We don’t move on, we move forward, carrying what we lost.

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss #Grief

What a beautiful soul 💔

I completely understand, Karrie. Sometimes it’s all about timing x

You’re so welcome, Karrie. And I’m sorry you’ve had this experience too. It’s rubbish, isn’t it?!
I share my story a lot, so always here x

Suicide is not the subject for a school run Daddy Blackbird #30

Some places are meant to be ordinary.

The school run should be one of them.

But after Steve’s suicide, it became a place of impossible questions, hidden grief, and invisible burdens.

Read about it in article #30 ❤️‍🩹

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss #Postvention #Care #Compassion #MentalHealth 🐦‍⬛

"You didn’t have to be close to be changed."

❌ MYTH: Only close friends and family are affected by a suicide.

✔️ FACT: One single suicide touches on average 135 people - from friends to colleagues to strangers who saw themselves in the story.

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss #SuicideAwareness #Postvention #GriefHasNoRules

YouTube video by Simon Sinek Be There For Your Friends

This helps to sum it up

youtu.be/9sV8trjqpQU?...

Thanks Bob. Hug gratefully received. We’re doing ok. Having a quiet and reflective one with my girls x

Thank you, lovely 💛

Soos, that’s so kind and it’s definitely a comfort. It matters to know we’re making a difference x

Thank you 🙏💛🙏

Black and white photo of my late husband Steve, smiling at the camera wearing a chequered shirt. The text ready: Steve 18.04.71 - 12.11.18

Whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague or complete stranger, please check in on someone today.

It matters more than you know ❤️‍🩹🐦‍⬛

Take care of yourself and each other.

Caroline
💛💛💛

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicidePrevention #Postvention #Hope

Don’t seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will— then your life will flow well.” — Epictetus

Loss by suicide is trauma like no other.

“Amor Fati” is about facing the unbearable, not accepting the act that caused the pain, but choosing to live fully with what remains.

Resilience isn’t quiet; it’s a fierce willingness to keep going 💛

#DaddyBlackbird #AmorFati 🐦‍⬛

Thank you, Murali. Let me know what you think once you’ve read it.
It’s been a nice peaceful weekend with my girls.

Double parenting dilemmas Daddy Blackbird #29

When Steve died by suicide, I wasn’t just a widow grieving my husband, I was suddenly parenting double.

Double the emotions 🤯
Double the logistics 🤯
Double the decisions 🤯

And no one to share the load, or the fear, or the responsibility, or the 4:30am wake-ups..

#DaddyBlackbird #SuicideLoss