BAGS FOR STRIFE IS A CHARITY SET UP BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO SUICIDE. THEY HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED BLAME, ANGER, GUILT AND SADNESS.
NOW WE WANT TO SHARE WHAT HAS HELPED US, TO HELP THOSE WHOSE JOURNEY IS JUST BEGINNING.
BLAME
ANGER
GUILT
SADNESS
WHY BAGS?
After one of our founders lost her daughter to suicide in November 2019, she reached out to all those who had loved and cared for her - both family and friends - and asked them what the overriding emotions they felt when they learned of her death. Time and again four emotions were named: Blame. Anger. Guilt. Sadness.
Our story
BAGS for Strife was set up by people who have lost loved ones to suicide. At the time of our loss we were struck by the lack of accessible support for families and friends in the aftermath and having reached out to others who have been through similar circumstances, we realised that our experience was not unique.
So we set up BAGS for Strife, to provide practical and emotional support for those who may need it.
What’s in the bag
The contents of the bags have been tailored to what we think you may need in both the immediate term and longer term, ranging from the practical to the emotional.
We’ve found sourcing practical guidance in the aftermath can be difficult. We hope that bringing a step-by-step guide and links to support services all into one place will make the this side of things that little bit easier. You’ll need to lean on family and friends to help out so we’ve also written some advice for them so they know how they can support.
Our charity is run by people who have experience of suicide bereavement, whether that be as family, friends or colleagues. So we wanted to share each of our personal stories in The Little Book of Help. This can be opened as little or as often as you need, in the hope that you will feel there are people by your side who are going through a similar thing.
Self-care is incredibly important in the initial days, weeks and months of grieving, but can often fall by the wayside. You’ll find sleep spray, a water bottle, lip balm, tissues and other items in the bag - just a few things to remind yourself to take care of you – a message we know would have helped us.
