Safe Harbour: Talking With Children About Suicide

When we hear the word suicide, many of us instinctively recoil. The word is taboo in everyday life.  For family members who have lost somebody to suicide, this stigma can make grieving even more complex.  People may struggle to explain the loss and how they feel about it to friends, colleagues, and other family members. But how do you explain suicide to a young child?  What words should you use? How do you support them? In June 2024, Ireland's National Office for Suicide Prevention published an illustrated children's book called Safe Harbour, to help parents and carers talk to children bereaved by suicide. The book, written by Patricia Ford and illustrated by Bronna Lee, encapsulates much of what suicide bereavement is about, navigating a world that is both completely new and oddly normal.  For this episode of Health in Europe, we are looking at suicide bereavement with Safe Harbour as our compass.DOWNLOAD SAFE HARBOUR:You can download the book and its resources at https://www.childhoodbereavement.ie/safeharbour PLEASE NOTE:This episode of Health in Europe covers the theme of suicide and contains an account of suicide bereavement. If you are thinking of ending your life, please reach out to family and friends or to a local suicide helpline. If you are unsure of helplines in your area, please visit: https://findahelpline.com ---This episode of Health In Europe was originally published in August 2025.To find out further about any of the subjects covered in the Health In Europe podcast, visit our website: https://www.who.int/europe/