In this heartfelt episode, Shreya is joined by Caroline Roodhouse, a Strategic Communications and Wellbeing Specialist, mentor, speaker, and author of the book Daddy Blackbird. After losing her husband Steve to suicide in 2018, Caroline was left to raise their two young daughters alone. She shares her personal story of loss, trauma and healing, and how she rebuilt life for her family while honouring her grief. The conversation explores why suicide loss feels so overwhelming, how time brings understanding rather than healing, and the importance of the recovery ‘triangle’ – self, children, and community. Caroline speaks openly aboutparenting as a ‘double parent’, how to talk honestly to children about suicide, the frightening statistics around suicide in bereaved families, and the true meaning of proactive friendship. A moving reminder that while grief never leaves, there is still life and hope beyond it.

What we cover:

(03:02): Caroline Roodhouse’s background

(06:12): Why Suicide Loss Feels So Overwhelming

(12:16): Why Time Doesn't Heal, But Helps You Understand

(16:49): The Triangle of Recovery: Self, Children, and Community

(23:18): Living Life as a Double Parent   

(24:51): How to Talk to Kids About Suicide Honestly

(31:46): Facing the Statistics of Suicide in Bereaved Families

(35:11): The Power of Proactive Friendship

(39:47): There Is Life Beyond Grief

Support:

💜 Explore the peer-to-peer support from Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

💚 If you need a safe space to talk, speak with Samaritans on 116 123

💗 Find support on the SANE Textcare and SANEline services 💙 Download the FREE Hub of Hope app from Chasing the Stigma
💜 PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.

💛 Explore the resources from Campaign Against Living Miserably
🧡 And support a bereaved child with the help of Winston's Wish

Connect With Shreya:

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thefifty1percent

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shreyapatelparekh

Instagram 51%: https://www.instagram.com/thefifty1percent/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreyapatelparekh/

Website: https://www.thefifty1percent.com/

Connect With Caroline:

Website: www.daddyblackbird.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-roodhouse-mcipr-a5948622/

Substack: https://daddyblackbird.substack.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadcaZup3Gr9qFyG0kAvxgwTLrLIA53EHVt-7XshR7hj73xMWzEKWDrFJpWcng_aem_hvgqPqiu1r-Sfie0gMBlfQ
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/daddyblackbird.bsky.social