'It's like the only thing I'm allowed to be is strong'

Image from More Than A Parent

By Louise Kinross

In August 2024 we interviewed the author of a British study that found thoughts of suicide common in parents raising disabled children. Since then it's been our most read BLOOM story, reaching over 6,100 people. 

The study, published in the Archives of Suicide Research, found over 40 per cent of 750 parents had thought about or planned suicide while caring for their child with a disability or chronic illness. Over half of those had never told anyone or sought help. 

Based on the study, and with input from parents, this film called More Than A Parent was produced by BlueBell Films and the University of Birmingham. The headline on this story is a quote from the film. It's a must watch!

Read more about the research on suicide risk in parent carers at the University of Birmingham.

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