We know that the festive season and special occasions can be a difficult time when you are grieving the loss of someone you love to suicide. It can feel like the whole world is happy and you alone are grieving.

Each year, we hold our Blue Christmas event which is an opportunity to gather and reflect with others who are also missing someone during the holiday period. It’s a chance to remember our loved ones lost to suicide and find connection with other people who feeling the same way.

Check our events calendar or follow our Facebook or Instagram pages for updates on Blue Christmas each year. It is usually held on a Sunday evening in Frankston in mid-December.

Below we have collated a few resources that you may find helpful as you navigate this festive season.

Video – Blue Christmas

In 2022, in partnership with Jesuit Social Services’ Support After Suicide program, we created this video to support our Blue Christmas event. You will hear from people who have lost a loved one to suicide. Fiona, Winsome, Aly and Rebecca share their experience of Christmas without their loved ones and things that they do to take care of themselves at this difficult time of year.

You can take a look here: Blue Christmas Video

Managing Holidays and Special Occasions

Hope Bereavement Care have created an information sheet titled Managing Holidays and Special Occasions which includes reflections on how you may like to honour your loved one this festive season, and also offers ideas on how you can take care of yourself during this difficult time of year.

You can find the PDF here: Managing Holidays and Special Occasions

How to cope with grief in the holidays

Losing a loved one is difficult and the holiday season can be triggering. The Washington Post spoke with grief expert David Kessler about ways to cope with grief during the holiday season.

You can find a video of the interview here: How to cope with grief in the holidays