Free resources

Publications by Sangeeta

I’m a doctor – but that didn’t save my son from suicide

Telegraph article published on: 10^th September 2015

Despite her training, Sangeeta Mahajan was unprepared for the speed and severity with which her son’s bipolar disorder progressed. To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, she shares what she has since sadly learned

Suicide – The Silent Epidemic

Huff post article 1: 6^th Jan 2016

Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in the UK. More than a 100 people die of suicide every week yet no one talks about it. As a society and community, as teachers and parents, as friends and colleagues we need to educate ourselves, ask questions, demand better care for ourselves and our loved ones, especially the young.

Eighteen Months On…

Huff Post article 2: 15^th May 2016

One sunny autumn afternoon 18 months ago, two policemen showed up at my doorstep to tell me that my son’s body had been found nearby. Apparently Saagar had ended his own life. They handed me his belongings but I was convinced they had made a mistake. This was not within the realm of possibilities. He is a handsome talented young man of 20 with a fabulous education and everything to live for. How could this be?

Thirty Months On

Huff Post article 3: 10^th May 2017

I am his mother. I am also a doctor. I died with him. An amputated heart and a bruised soul somehow keep the tatters of my being together. The undying love between mother and son sustains. It finds expression through writing every day.

Darkness to light

Huff Post article 4: 2^nd August 2017

Saagar felt he was broken. After his death, I was broken. I found that our education, society and health care system are broken. I realised that the way forward was to improve mental health literacy in the community. The NHS does not have enough resources or expertise. We need to educate and empower ourselves to take care of ourselves and our loved ones.

Kidsaregifts blog

Started on 16^th October 2014. Ongoing at present.

Exploring the depths of being human.

When words are not enough. Creative response to Grief”

A chapter contributed to the book

Everyone grieves for someone at some point in their lives. But how do we deal with the silence that often surrounds grief? How do we find ways to express painful feelings when words are not enough? This book explores creative responses to grief through 13 extraordinary individuals and a deeply personal and beautiful reflection on grief from authors Jane Harris and Jimmy Edmonds.

Book recommendations

Bearing the unbearable. Love, loss and the heartbreaking path of Grief. by Joanna Cacciatore.

The Unspeakable Loss. How do you live after a child dies? by Nina Zenoff

Downloadable PDFs

Help is at hand

Restoring hope

Finding the words

Useful Links

Sangeeta and Simon – It Has Made Us Human

“Together with her partner a mother whose son took his own life reflects on the impact his suicide has had on their lives. Fi Glover presents another conversation in the series that proves it’s surprising what you hear when you

listen.”https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bk1fc0

Six Things We Need – Podcast

Peer Support: Research and Reports

Mental Health America

Peer support has existed in behavioral health for decades. Its rapid growth in recent years is for good reason. Research and experience show that peer support specialists have a transformative effect on both individuals and systems. Peer support has been shown to: Improve quality of life, Improve engagement and satisfaction with services and supports, Improve whole health, including chronic conditions like diabetes, Decrease hospitalizations and inpatient days, and Reduce the overall cost of services