Dr Sharon McDonnell

@sharonmcdonnell.bsky.social

Founder and Managing Director of Suicide Bereavement UK. Specialised in suicide bereavement research for over two decades. Personally bereaved by suicide.

At this year’s Suicide Bereavement UK conference, I’ll share new findings from the National Suicide Bereavement Survey, including the voices of 300+ adults aged 60–84. Older adults have been unheard, unseen, unspoken for far too long. On 16 Sept, my team and I will give them a voice. #sbukconf26

BildBildBild

I’m presenting findings for the first time about people aged 65–84 bereaved by suicide - the largest dataset of its kind internationally. If you work in postvention, suicide prevention, policy or elder care, this conference is relevant to you. 4049_SBUK_Conference_2026_flyer_online_v2.pdf

BildBildBild

FREE Suicide Prevention RTS2 Training – Durham For emergency services in NE & North Cumbria. Practical guidance on responding to someone in crisis, taught by an ex‑police crisis negotiator + mental health professional. 20 March • Only 10 places left Book: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com

Bild

FREE Suicide Prevention Training for Emergency Services in NE & North Cumbria. For police, fire, ambulance & coastguards only in above region DATES 20 Mar (Durham) 26 Mar (Cumbria) Only 10 places left, to register interest email: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com

BildBild

Honoured to present at the Operation Blue Monday conference in Newcastle hosted by Northumbria police and North East and Northumbria NHS Trust. I spoke on the often-overlooked impact on emergency service professionals responding to suicide, and how Suicide Bereavement UK train frontline staff

Bild

Presenting at Operation Blue Monday Conference 19 Jan 2026. Will share frontline insights on responding to suicide in emergency services & introducing evidence-based, CPD-accredited 'Responding To Suicide' training by Suicide Bereavement UK, aligned with the Suicide & the Workplace British Standard

Bild

🌈 Do you know anyone passionate about researching LGBTQ+ suicide, suicide prevention and suicide bereavement, experienced in qualitative methods, and looking for work? Send them my way because I'm recruiting for a post-doctoral research fellow! elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

Research Fellow (Rain within the Rainbow)

Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Rain Within the Rainbow) working on the Rain Within the Rainbow: Understanding LGBTQ+ suicide and suicide prevention in the UK through the life course project using qual...

elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com

Key finding: 60% of depression cases occurred in people with no affected close relatives. Family history matters, but most people who develop mental health conditions have no affected relatives. Genetics, environment, and life experiences all play a role. Read the blog: buff.ly/u6BpgpR

Bild