HELP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE THROUGH SUICIDE!
- Ron Bainbridge
- Oct 4, 2022
- 9 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Friends, the purpose of Discovering A BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES, is to provide men and women with words of Encouragement and Hope, as well as empower believers in Jesus Christ around the world, to recognize, experience, and celebrate their oneness with all others who know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, regardless of denomination, church fellowship, or historic tradition.
Ron Bainbridge
Coordinator of:
PLEASE NOTE:
Today’s subject is sensitive and possibly difficult to understand.
Please treat today’s sharing as a gift to be treasured for life!
Today’s Message of Encouragement from
Discovering a BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES
(Stories of: Real People, Real Events, Real Places)
And are dedicated to HELPING
PEOPLE FIND the PEACE and HOPE
FREELY OFFERED by JESUS CHRIST!
(John 10:10; 14:1-6; Acts 2:36-47)
HELP FOR THOSE
WHO HAVE LOST
A LOVED ONE
THROUGH
SUICIDE!
Friends, during my 59 years of Christian ministry, I have experienced the sad task of conducting funeral services for men and women, both young and old, who have gassed, drowned, hanged, shot, or drug—overdosed themselves.
Such occasions have only reinforced my determination to do something positive to help men and women (especially our youth) to realise that there is a better way of dealing with stress, pressure, and depression than taking their own lives.
Recent statistics reveal that Suicide is a leading cause of death in people under the age of 44 in Australia and that more people die each year from Suicide than in accidents on West Australian roads. That report went on to say that on average, 238 people commit Suicide in Western Australia every year!
GLOBALLY
About 740,000 global deaths from suicide occur annually—that’s one death every 43 seconds
Published February 19, 2025
Key takeaways:
Every minute, four males and six females need inpatient treatment due to suicide attempts.
Males die from suicide at twice the rate of females, and their attempts result in death three times more often than female attempts.
Globally, 10% of suicides by males and 3% by females were with guns. In the U.S., 55% by males and 31% by females were with guns.
Friends, these startling statistics depict Suicide as a growing epidemic and very high on the options menu for many of our young people. Tragically, in a recent survey of 140 Nations, Australia ranks number 41 in the World Highest Suicide Rate in 2025 | YouTube Global Rank
Please click on the link below for statistics of:
World Highest Suicide Rate in 2025 | Global Rank
According to the World Health Organisation, Australia has the fourth-highest youth Suicide rate in the world.
Sadly, every year in rural Australia, many people choose to end their lives by Suicide. And each suicide leaves many distressed survivors, who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
The death of a loved one is painful enough, but Suicide survivors face a more complicated grief because they must also deal with the fact that their loved one chose to die.
Suicide devastates family members for many years; family survivors are at a greater risk of Suicide themselves, and the pain ripples out to entire communities.
Friends, some years ago I received a letter from an anonymous reader of my regular weekly column, which had been published in The Farm Weekly, Western Australia’s largest Rural Newspaper for many years.
The following is the text of what this person wrote to me:
“Dear Ron, I have been an avid reader of your column for many years and have just read your latest in the week of 4th July issue of the Farm Weekly. It has just occurred to me that you may be able to help us in our small community through your column.
Some weeks ago, a young farmer in our area took his own life. This man was 32 years of age, had a lovely wife, a couple of years younger & 3 lovely children, aged 7, 4, and 2. No one can understand WHY! Unlike many of his friends, he was in a reasonably sound financial position.
A friend of mine is concerned about the number of his friends who are in total denial and cannot accept that he “Shot” himself and that it was not an accident. She has asked me what we can do for these people, and till now I have felt there is nothing we can do!
Most of the friends of this young man are not church-going people, but they are farmers and do like to read the Farm Weekly, and I do know that some of them do read your column. Hence the reason for this letter! Could you address this situation through the weekly column? I may be asking for too much, but I feel it is worth a try.
One of the worst affected are the 2 young friends who found him and the ambulance volunteers who helped or heard about it, then his friends and possibly family.
I am sure if you can address this, some good will come out of a very sad situation!
Thank you for the many times you have given me the answer I have been looking for, but could not see till I read your message.
Do keep up the wonderful work, and I am sure a lot of people who would not even own a Bible regularly read your column.
Best regards, an avid reader.”
Friends, my heart was deeply touched as I read this letter concerning this Suicidal death, in an isolated rural community, which had shattered an entire community of friends, with many unanswered questions as to “WHY?” such a tragedy should take place.
In response to this person’s letter, in which he asked me to address the Suicide tragedy they had experienced in their small community, I immediately prepared the following message, which was subsequently published in my regular Farm Weekly column.
I share that same message with you today, in our Discovering A BETTER LIFE Message of Encouragement and Hope, with the sincere intention of encouraging anyone who may have suffered the loss of a loved one to Suicide, to help them understand there is always help available!
Friends, I have personally suffered the loss of loved ones who have chosen to end their lives by Suicide, and I understand that it is hard to believe life can ever be normal again. However, there is hope! Although we are changed forever by such a tragedy, life can once again have hope and meaning.
Naturally, when someone you know and love has ended their life, you may at first feel stunned and troubled by the powerful reactions you experience.
Sometimes you might feel very angry at your feelings or other people around you. Sometimes you may feel like dying, too. It is natural that some very confusing and emotional times can be expected, and you will need support.
What becomes of these intense, relentless feelings? They usually diminish as months and years pass, although some residual feelings may remain unresolved.
Recognising how best to accommodate and cope with these feelings can help you advance the healing process.
Friends, when we experience the Suicide of a relative or close friend, talking and sharing with people who love us lightens our burdens, and the pain becomes less intense.
Survivors of Suicide need to let others know that talking about Suicide is essential to the healing of powerful emotions that merge and explode in the initial aftermath of losing someone who has chosen to take their own life.
Survivors often feel numb or deny that their loved one committed Suicide. Sometimes they go to great lengths to persuade themselves that the death was accidental or the result of a murder, even in the overwhelming evidence that it was Suicide.
On top of this, many survivors experience the emotions of guilt, fear, anger, or a sense of personal failure. These feelings may cause some survivors to become depressed or be overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Sometimes this depression will skew their perspective and distort their thinking, and when they reach this point, they need professional help.
Friends, if you and your family have a Christian faith, it would be meaningful to gently remind each other that God’s power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or busy to help and listen to us talk about whatever it may be that burdens us, and His strength is our source of strength in our times of greatest need.
It is also important to understand that when we feel all of life crushing us, and as we struggle with coming to terms with our feelings, perhaps thinking we cannot go another step, to remember that we can call upon a loving God to renew our strength.
The following words from the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 40:31, are what God promises to all who are willing to place their faith and trust in Him:
Friends, I sincerely hope that as you read and share this promise from God with your family members or friends, each of you will all be reminded that the Master of the universe, who loves and cares for us all, is waiting, right now, to give you and other family members, along with your friends, the strength and grace to help you all through your present difficult time.
One more thing, if you or someone you know is grieving because of the Suicide of a relative or close friend, then we want you to know that help is available!
Perhaps, like the person who asked me to write about coping with a Suicide loss, you, too, are struggling with how you can comfort a Suicide survivor. If so, I’d like to give you a list of apps and web links that will provide you with some very helpful and comforting support resources. They are as follows:
Has someone mentioned suicide?
A friend or family member or colleague? Not quite sure what to do or say?
You can find free 24/7 professional guidance and support. The Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation have created free Apple and Android apps and a website to help guide you … and perhaps help you save a life.
Free. Safe. Effective. No Signups.
Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation: https://intoughtimestext.org/what-to-ask-what-to-say/
You can use these messages to start a conversation around suicide, face to face, over the phone or as
a Text Message.
https://rosesintheocean.com.au/about/our-story/ Australia’s national lived experience of Suicide organisation, Roses in the Ocean, exists to save lives and to reduce emotional distress and pain. https://rosesintheocean.com.au/i-need-help-now/
Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ exists so that no person in Australia needs to face their darkest moments alone. Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
The Salvation Army’s Hope for Life website: www.suicideprevention.salvos.org.au
also provides details on how to support someone affected by Suicide.
HEARTBEAT: https://www.heartbeatsurvivorsaftersuicide.org/ is a non-profit organisation created by LaRita Archibald following the loss of her son to Suicide in 1980. HEARTBEAT is a peer support group offering empathy, encouragement, and direction following the Suicide of a loved one.
Perhaps you will also find some help and comfort for yourself and your family in the PDF Handbook for Survivors of Suicide:
This is a free-of-charge downloadable book for people who have lost a loved one to Suicide, written by a survivor who has suffered the same loss.
Friends, the Discovering A BETTER LIFE team has found this PDF Handbook to be a wonderfully comprehensive, extremely practical and helpful resource for sharing with others who have become survivors of Suicide in their own families.
This PDF Handbook for Survivors of Suicide reveals that there is comfort in knowing that others have walked a similar journey. We would encourage you to check it out and share it with others, whatever information you feel might be of help to
your own, or other grieving family members.
www.undoingdepression.com/ -- Is a Self-Help Site.
Friends, if after looking at these sites you would still like us to send you the booklets we have offered below, please let us know, and we will be pleased to send you one.
In conclusion, if you are affected by the loss of a loved one through Suicide, may God bless you with His healing, peace of mind, and love, along with the wisdom and the strength to return to normal life!
“Of all the forces that make for a better world,
none is so indispensable, none so powerful as hope.
Without hope, man is only half alive.”
Charles Sawyer (1887-1979)
One final thing, if you or someone you know is grieving because of the Suicide of a relative or close friend, then we want to remind you again that help is available!
Friends, if you would like to know more about developing a meaningful relationship with God, we encourage you to write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES for two FREE booklets titled, “How to Find God?” along with "Surviving a Loved One's SUICIDE!"
Our address is:
BETHANIE ON THE PARK,
Unit 49/2 Plantation Street,
Menora, Western Australia 6050
Or email us at: abl-alb@omninet.net.au
ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS?
“Don’t lose hope.
When the sun goes down,
The stars come out."
Friends, until we share a new message of encouragement with you, may our Father in Heaven lift YOU on eagle’s wings and provide you with HIS Comforting Love, Peace, and Wisdom (ISAIAH 40:27-31).
What was it Jesus told us? -- Oh, now I remember:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Still, the God Who Parts the Sea
Lyrics - Sherry Anne
To hear this comforting video,
please click on the link below:
“Let Go, Let God!”
To hear and View this ~Video~
Please click on the Link below
"I WILL GO ON!"
To hear this comforting video,
please click on the link below:
"JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!"
To hear this comforting video,
please click on the link below:
Healing Christian Songs 🙏🙏
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To all who are reading this message today, ITS GOING TO BE OK!
Friends, we sincerely pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you are constantly stressing about gets better. May the dark thoughts, and the over thinking, and the doubt exit your mind right now, and may clarity and understanding replace confusion. We pray that the peace and calmness that comes from God will fill your life with His grace, wisdom, peace, and power.
With our love and prayers,
Ron, and the Discovering A BETTER LIFE team
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