On The Mental Health Couch podcast, you’ll find a range of interviews with some of the interesting people I meet in my work. You’ll also hear episodes from my radio appearances, audio tracks from our free webinar series and more.
World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) invites us to do more than post a ribbon—it asks us to change the narrative on suicide.
In our latest podcast, I speak with Angela Allen, co-founder of the UK initiative Bags for Strife, whose lived experience helped shape a simple, powerful idea: when loss shatters a family, a thoughtfully curated bag can be a steadying hand you can’t misplace.
That idea inspired us to create AfterBAGS Australia—our local, trauma-informed version designed to support Australians after a suicide loss. This blog explores the themes from the conversation and why practical compassion matters.
When Angela’s family experienced multiple suicide losses, she noticed how easily “support” got lost—literally. A business card or pamphlet disappears in the fog of grief. A bag doesn’t. It becomes a home for the things that help and a visible reminder: you are not alone.
Inside are everyday items chosen with care—hydration for days when you forget to drink, tissues for the waves that come from nowhere, gentle sleep supports, a small candle or light for night-time grounding, and a “little book of help” filled with real stories and practical tips. Each item includes a short “why this matters,” because the bag is both support and education.
In the UK, the design is guided by the B.A.G.S. acronym—Blame, Anger, Guilt, Sadness—a plain-language way to name feelings that commonly follow suicide loss. When we name emotions, we can meet them with compassion and action.
AfterBAGS Australia mirrors this approach for local needs. The contents are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and practical for Australian homes and workplaces. The point is not to “fix” grief—because grief isn’t broken—but to soften the edges of the first days and weeks, and to make help easier to accept.
Just as importantly, the bag gives friends, colleagues and community members an entry point. When people ask, “What can I do?”, the bag helps them do something specific—deliver tangible comfort, share helplines and services, and offer steady, non-judgemental presence.
Learn more or get involved: Visit www.afterbagsaustralia.com.au
One theme that kept surfacing in the conversation is that there’s no “right” way to grieve. Models and “stages” can be useful for understanding, but real life is messier. Some people need quiet; others need company. Some return to routines quickly; others can’t. What matters is permission—to grieve in your own way, for as long as you need.
Our “little book of help” includes diverse voices—parents, partners, friends, colleagues—so recipients can see themselves reflected and borrow ideas: a ritual to remember, a phrase to use when words are hard, a small habit that helps on rough nights.
“Changing the narrative” also means talking about suicide safely and openly. Many supporters hold back because they worry about saying the wrong thing. The truth is simple: the worst has already happened. What helps is turning up, naming what you see, asking gentle questions, and offering practical support.
That’s where communities and workplaces come in. Teams can learn to be skilled and alert: to notice when someone’s struggling, to respond with care, and to connect people to help early. For leaders and HR, this looks like compassionate policies, training like Mental Health First Aid, and clear pathways to support. For peers, it’s everyday actions—checking in, making a meal, offering to handle small admin tasks, walking with someone through the hard bits.
Angela and her team are now co-designing youth versions of the bag with young people themselves. Their early input is surprisingly consistent: many of the same items still help—just with age-appropriate tweaks (think hot chocolate instead of tea, a fidget tool for restless hands, a softer light). The message stays the same: we see you, your grief is valid, and help is here.
Listen to the episode below or here, and share it with someone who may benefit from this perspective.
Visit AfterBAGS Australia to learn more, donate, or partner with us to deliver bags where they’re needed most.
If you lead a team, skill your people: invest in Mental Health First Aid training and clear, compassionate support processes.
As a friend or colleague, show up. You don’t need perfect words. “I’m here. I care. Can I sit with you?” goes a long way.
Changing the narrative on suicide is not about grand gestures. It’s a thousand small acts of steady care—plus a bag you can’t lose.
If this blog brings anything up for you or someone you know, support is available: Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, or 000 in an emergency.
