ABSTRACT
Suicide leaves its mark on those left behind in a particular, peculiar, and devastating way. This is part of the drama of the act. Thus the world of suicide is peopled by those who cannot “get over” the death of their loved one by suicide. The person who dies by suicide is thinking only about escape, about themselves and about the satisfaction of some fantasy realised. A suicide note can seem as if it is a kind of farewell, it may even contain some sentiment of a goodbye, but it is usually a very mixed blessing to be on the receiving end of such a note. The notable difference when someone dies by suicide, as compared to a natural or accidental death, is that when a suicide is discovered or suspected the death becomes a matter of public investigation and legal inquiry. Certainly in the UK there is plenty of help and support available for those bereaved by suicide.
