British poet and spoken word artist, Suli Breaks – who has been personally endorsed by actor, Will Smith – has penned an exclusive verse on themes of grief and loss, mourning and memory to mark #IRemember (22-26 November).
The Dying Matters campaign estimates that around 9,000 people have been bereaved every day during the pandemic, leaving few people untouched by grief and the impact on the nation’s mental health and wellbeing palpable.
Yet, in a society where talking about grief and bereavement remains taboo, many people struggle with the emotional burden left by the loss of a loved one.
Suli’s piece is a reminder that grief is a universal emotion that affects us all regardless of age or the community we’re from, and that by talking about those we’ve lost, we can find comfort and even happiness in our memories.
Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign’s mission is to break the stigma, challenge perceptions and normalise public openness around death.During #IRemember, people across the UK will be encouraged to share memories of loved ones they’ve lost to help people feel they’re not alone, to spark important conversations about death and help people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing take vital steps towards recovery.
Suli said: “I hope I’m able to encourage people to have an open discussion about grief, especially with everything that has happened in the past year. Conversations about grief are therapeutic and many of us shy away from it because of fear, we’re afraid to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and emotional because it’s an experience we are still learning to cope with every day.”
Sarah West, Director of Communications and Campaigns for Dying Matters’ parent charity Hospice UK, said: “During the past two years, death and bereavement has been at the forefront of the nation’s consciousness.A lot of people find it hard to talk to their family and friends about how they are feeling, which can have a devastating impact on a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
“We believe that by encouraging people to open up and share stories of loved ones they’ve lost, we can get important, healthy conversations started, and help people up-and-down the country to recover.
“We are thrilled to be working with Suli, whose work will go far in helping to engage people, no matter what age, background or community they’re from, and tackle the taboo around grief and bereavement.”
Share your #IRemember story on social tagging @DyingMatters and using the hashtag #IRemember
Dying Matters is Hospice UK’s flagship campaign, that aims to create an open culture that talks about death and where people feel able to listen and support those who are planning for end of life, who are dying and who have been bereaved.
Hospice UK and Dying Matters believe that everyone, no matter who they are, where they are or why they are ill, should receive the best possible care at the end of their life.
Hospice UK is the national charity working for those experiencing dying, death and bereavement. We work for the benefit of people affected by death and dying, collaborating with our hospice members and other partners who work in end of life care.
