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If a Colleague Dies by Suicide
Losing a colleague to suicide
Losing a colleague to suicide is profoundly shocking, heartbreaking and traumatic. It’s not normal - and most of us are not trained or prepared to cope with it.
Sadly, many health and care professionals will face this tragic event during their careers. Whether you're a manager, leader or team member, the emotional impact can be intense and bewildering. You may feel compelled to carry on for your patients, your team and yourself.
You may find it hard to know what to do, both practically and emotionally.
At Practitioner Health, we’ve supported many colleagues whose mental health has been affected by losing someone in this way, and we’ve also lost some of our own patients to suicide or sudden accidental death. While these events are rare, their effects on families, friends, patients, teammates and the wider health service are far-reaching and long-lasting.
Female healthcare workers, particularly nurses, remain at elevated risk. Previous ONS analysis suggested female healthcare staff have a 24% higher suicide risk than women in other professions.
Male doctors also carry higher risk than comparable professional groups.
These sobering facts highlight the vulnerability within our own ranks and underline how essential it is to recognise that this is not just remotely possible, but something that many of us may sadly experience.
You may be managing grief for a friend and colleague, trying to support others or simply struggling to get through your own workday while maintaining professional responsibilities. You might feel emotions you can’t make sense of, or feel pressure to 'stay strong' even when everything inside you feels raw.
This section is designed to help. Whether you're trying to support your team, manage practical issues or make sense of your own reaction, you’re not alone.
What to Expect
A wide range of emotions
Shock, sadness, guilt, anger, confusion, fear, and numbness are all normal responses. Some people feel unable to process the loss for days or even weeks.
Professional and personal grief
You may have known your colleague well, or not at all. Regardless, losing someone from your workplace can feel like a personal and professional rupture.
Feeling responsible or wondering 'what if'
Many people revisit recent conversations or interactions and question whether they missed warning signs. This is a natural response but it is important to remember that suicide is complex and not the fault of any one person.
Uncertainty about what to say or do
You may feel unsure how to talk about the death with colleagues, patients, or family members.
What Can Help
Talk to someone you trust
A friend, colleague, supervisor, or a trained professional can provide a space to express your thoughts and feelings.
Support each other as a team
Consider holding a reflective session, team check-in, or moment of remembrance. These shared spaces can help teams process the loss together.
Reach out for support
Take time out if needed
It’s not always easy to take time off - many of us feel the pressure to keep going, especially when others are relying on us. But it’s important to balance that drive with your ability to stay safe, focused, and effective at work. The temptation may be to carry on regardless, but even high-performing professionals are impacted by difficult situations.
Try to recognise when something is affecting you and consider small adjustments, like taking more breaks or switching to a different type of task. These changes can make a real difference.
If you’re struggling to focus or feeling overwhelmed, consider taking time off or adjusting your duties. Occupational health services and your own GP can also provide useful support and guidance.
Things to Remember
- You don’t need to have all the answers or feel a certain way.
- Everyone grieves differently. Some people may want to talk, others may not.
- It’s okay to need support even if you didn’t know the colleague well.
- This may stir up past personal or professional losses. That is also normal.
- You are not responsible for what happened.
Case examples
Sudden Loss
"When a close team member died unexpectedly, I was in shock. My patients still needed to be seen, and I felt I had to be strong for my colleagues.
Seeing her empty chair every day was painful—and then one day, another doctor sat there.
I still think about her. I wonder if we could have done more. We made our own space to talk as a practice, and it brought us closer.
Having a guide like this would have helped us feel less alone. I’m glad it’s here now, for others who need it."
The Ripple Effect
"After a colleague’s suicide, I felt triggered by my own past mental health struggles.
With Practitioner Health’s support, I created a new wellbeing plan that helped me stay safe and keep working.
It made a huge difference knowing it was okay not to be okay."
"Support arrived before I fell apart. That changed everything."
Annual Report Quote
Step by step guide
Key Resources and Guidance
These comprehensive resources offer step-by-step support - whether you're a colleague, team leader, or manager navigating the loss of a peer to suicide.
View the guides and toolkits
NHS Suicide Postvention Toolkit
A clear, practical guide for NHS organisations responding to the suicide of an employee.
Includes guidance for leaders, managers, and team members.
Postvention Guidance for the Ambulance Service
An evidence based postvention guide: support after a suicide within the paramedic community. ‘Postvention Guidance for the Ambulance Service’ An evidence based postvention guide: support after a suicide within the paramedic community.
University of Surrey Toolkit
Developed following research into the impact of losing a colleague to suicide. Includes practical guidance and reflections from staff - can be accessed by visiting their website and clicking the link to the PDF provided there.
Derbyshire Toolkit
Offers support and guidance on suicide bereavement for teams and individuals.
Guidance for Trainee Doctors
Sudden death guidance specifically for doctors in training.
Primary Care Postvention Guide
Responding to a suicide in primary care, including practical steps for practices.
You are not alone
Hearing from others who have experienced a similar loss can be a source of comfort and strength.
Fallen Friend - The Loss of Dr Louise Tebboth
This moving article shares the reflections of colleagues after the death of GP Dr Louise Tebboth.
Read the story on The Good Grief Trust
Practitioner Health Bereavement Group
We host what we believe to be the first bereavement group for those who have lost a health and care professional relative to suicide or sudden accidental death.
This group provides a safe, informal space to reflect, grieve, and connect. Members have helped shed light on the significant personal, professional, and institutional stigma that healthcare workers can face when experiencing mental health difficulties - particularly in the context of complaints or regulatory pressure.
"For many, the complaint - no matter how minor - triggered rumination, shame, and isolation. Fearing they might lose their career, they instead lost their lives."
The group meets a few times a year and welcomes new members.
Learn more about the group and enquire about joining
If you need support
If you or your team are struggling, you don’t have to face this alone. Whether you're a colleague, team leader, friend, or family member, help is available.
Support for healthcare professionals
RCGP Sudden Bereavement Support Pilot
The RCGP, supported by NHS Practitioner Health and Canopi (add link) in Wales offers tailored support for primary care teams following the sudden loss of a colleague. Trained advisors offer free practical support for practices as they navigate such a difficult time alongside the need to continue to run a practice.
Practitioner Health
Services like Practitioner Health offer confidential mental health treatment for healthcare professionals and run a peer support group for relatives of a healthcare professional who has died by suicide.
Papyrus
Papyrus offers a debrief service for any professional who has had an experience with suicide or near suicide and would like support to talk it through with a trained professional.
Suicide support
SOBS - Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Support for adults who have lost someone to suicide.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Free, confidential support for anyone who is grieving.
Help is at Hand - Support After Suicide Partnership
Practical guides for people bereaved by suicide.
Includes:
- The inquest process
- Grief after suicide
- Supporting children
- Coping with anniversaries
- Finding the right words
Finding the Words - How to Talk About Suicide Bereavement
Advice and practical tools for supporting someone who has lost a loved one to suicide.
Included in: Help is at Hand and Support After Suicide Partnership resources
Hope Again - Cruse for Young People
Support and stories for young people grieving a loss.
Winston’s Wish
Support for bereaved children, young people, families, and professionals.
Suicide Bereavement UK
Key resources:
- Immediate Support
- Postvention
- Educational Materials
AtaLoss
Providing all the information UK bereaved people need in one place for holistic support and wellbeing.
Additional resources
CIPD: Responding to Suicide in the Workplace
Guidance for employers and HR teams.
Samaritans Postvention Toolkit for Paramedics
Support and guidance for ambulance service staff.
Business in the Community: Suicide Postvention for Employers
A toolkit to help employers respond compassionately and responsibly.
Contact
NHS Practitioner Health
Riverside Medical Centre
Hobart House
St George Wharf
London
SW8 2JB
Telephone: 0300 0303 300
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