Sunrise Cornwall on the far-reaching ripple effect of suicide loss

One loss. Then a family, a circle of friends, a workplace, a street, and people who may never have met the person at all.

That is the picture Sunrise Cornwall CIC, a community interest company supporting the wellbeing of adults bereaved by suicide, wants people to understand, as it shares research on how many lives a single death can touch.

Up to 135 people affected by each loss

Research by Cerel et al. (2018) suggests that around 135 people may be exposed to each loss by suicide.

Sunrise says the impact reaches far beyond those closest to the person who has died. Family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and wider communities are all affected, each in different ways and each with their own experience of that loss.

“Behind every life lost, there are so many other lives touched, conversations left unfinished and people trying to navigate what comes next,” the organisation said.

📷Credit: Sunrise Cornwall CIC

Grief without a set path

Sunrise says grief doesn’t follow a set path, and neither does finding support.

So the organisation creates opportunities for adults affected by suicide loss to come together, build friendships, share experiences and feel part of a community that understands. Its sessions are open to friends, siblings, parents, partners, family members and colleagues. Anyone, in short, who has been affected.

Yoga, art and walks

Sunrise offers safe spaces to meet, talk and share (as little or as much as people are comfortable with) through music, art and wellbeing events, workshops and activities.

Sessions are run by experts in music, art or wellbeing and supported by trained Sunrise Facilitators, all of whom have lived experience of losing someone to suicide.

Past events have included free Yoga for Wellbeing sessions at Redruth Rugby Club, the Miners and Mechanics’ Institute in St Agnes, Clarence House in Penzance and MindBodyDance & Yoga in Wadebridge. There have also been Mindful Art for Wellbeing sessions at Georgia’s Voice: The Village Kitchen and Wildlife Wanderings at Godrevy.

Finding out more

Details of upcoming sessions are on the Sunrise Cornwall website, and the team can be contacted at [email protected].

“While the ripple effect of suicide loss is far-reaching, so too can be the ripple effect of kindness, connection and support,” Sunrise said.

If you are struggling, Samaritans can be contacted free, day or night, on 116 123.