Liverpool Hope MA student Angela Samata presented a BBC1 documentary this week called Life After Suicide, where she spoke about her own experience and met others left behind after the suicide of a loved one.
Angela spoke about hers and her family’s reaction after her partner Mark’s suicide eleven years ago. She also went on a journey around Britain to meet others who've suffered a similar loss to explore why, when suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, we are still so afraid of talking about it. The programme asked the question why do some people choose to take their own lives, and how do those that love them ever come to terms with that loss?
Angela met people such as actor David Robb who plays Dr Clarkson in Downton Abbey, and also visited the support group SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) some of whom lost people decades ago, and others just weeks ago.
Angela also visited The Maytree, which offers people thinking of suicide a safe space, and the chance to spend time away and speak to someone outside of their situation. The Maytree is the only one of its kind in the UK and Angela has called for more of them around the country.
Angela, who studies Art History and Curating, said: “You may not realise it, but there are 6000 suicides each year in the UK. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in Britain. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it is that we have to talk about this. It’s really important that we talk.”
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)