'I became a therapist after my brother's suicide'

Linzi Meaden became a trauma therapist after her brother took his own life in 2020

A woman created her own online resource to help others who lost friends or family to suicide after her own brother took his own life.

Linzi Meaden, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, launched the resource after she embarked on a career in therapy following the death of her brother Stuart in 2020.

She is now involved in a virtual choir and craft workshops, and hosts a weekly chat group, inviting others to share their stories.

"I feel so strongly about making support accessible to everyone," she told the BBC.

"Just go online, talk to others. Somebody will know of somebody who can help you."

• If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via BBC Action Line

Ms Meaden said her brother's death when he was aged 48 came "totally out of the blue", but "completely turned our world upside down".

Her family found itself "in a place where we felt very isolated, very alone", she said.

Ms Meaden said due to her training with trauma, she had "worked very hard to to deal with my own trauma".

"But the grief that comes with suicide loss is very complex," she added.

"We have the added layers of unanswered questions of not knowing why and even when."

Ms Meaden said her brother Stuart's death was "totally out of the blue"

Ms Meaden said she thought "as a society we need to make it our business to start looking out for one another".

She added: "I think we do need to really start to slow down and really start caring more about others but also ourselves."

The mum of two spoke to the BBC on 10 September - World Suicide Prevention Day.

Ms Meaden said the awareness day "is so important for us to talk about a topic that a lot of people will shy away from".