JACKY Parry’s father died aged 69 after a fight with prostate cancer.

18-months-later her brother, Paris, took his own life. He was just 37-years-old.

The grief felt following the death of a loved one through suicide is “completely different” to a natural death, said Jacky - who set up group Swindon Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide in the wake of Paris' death.

“Shock. You’re numb for months,” she said.

"You’re just in sheer shock, thinking how could it happen and why couldn’t I see it? Then the guilt can come in.

“You’re still dealing with everyday life. Nothing seems real. It’s surreal. You carry on as normal, but your head is in a different place. Your heart’s in a different place.”

She said of the grief: “It never goes away. But you learn to adapt to your situation without your loved one around. That’s the hardest part - getting to that place of acceptance knowing your loved one won’t be around.

“And we’ve got to get to that place of acceptance on our own.”

Jacky, who has run the monthly SOBS group for the last six years, said speaking to others who had faced bereavement through suicide could help those left behind.

“We all say it’s the group nobody wants to come to - but we all need it.”

Swindon SOBS meets every month. For more details, visit:

uksobs.org/support-groups/swindon

or email jackyswindonsobs@gmail.com.