Sharon McDonnell1,2, Sandra Flynn1, Jenny Shaw1,3,4, Shirley Smith5,6, Barry McGale2,6, Isabelle M Hunt1. 1. Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Centre for Mental Health and Safety, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 2. Suicide Bereavement, Ramsbottom, UK. 3. Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. 4. Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody, London, UK. 5. If U Care Share Foundation, Chester, UK. 6. Support After Suicide Partnership, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Those bereaved by suicide are a high-risk group of adverse health outcomes and suicidal behavior, yet little is known about the experiences and support needs of these individuals in the UK. METHODS: We conducted a national cross-sectional study using an online survey and analyzed the experiences of 7158 participants who had been bereaved or affected by suicide. RESULTS: Suicide had a major impact on 77% of participants, including those who had lost a friend and those exposed to suicide at a professional level. Mental and physical health problems linked to the suicide were reported in half. Adverse social outcomes and engaging in high-risk behaviors following the suicide were common. Over a third reported suicidal ideation and 8% had attempted suicide as a direct result of the suicide loss. Most had not accessed support services, with the majority viewing provision of local suicide bereavement support as inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for a multi-disciplinary approach in postvention and the provision of proactive outreach to support those bereaved by suicide. Postvention efforts need to acknowledge the death of a friend by suicide as a significant loss.
BACKGROUND: Those bereaved by suicide are a high-risk group of adverse health outcomes and suicidal behavior, yet little is known about the experiences and support needs of these individuals in the UK. METHODS: We conducted a national cross-sectional study using an online survey and analyzed the experiences of 7158 participants who had been bereaved or affected by suicide. RESULTS: Suicide had a major impact on 77% of participants, including those who had lost a friend and those exposed to suicide at a professional level. Mental and physical health problems linked to the suicide were reported in half. Adverse social outcomes and engaging in high-risk behaviors following the suicide were common. Over a third reported suicidal ideation and 8% had attempted suicide as a direct result of the suicide loss. Most had not accessed support services, with the majority viewing provision of local suicide bereavement support as inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for a multi-disciplinary approach in postvention and the provision of proactive outreach to support those bereaved by suicide. Postvention efforts need to acknowledge the death of a friend by suicide as a significant loss.
Authors: Lisbeth Hybholt; Agnes Higgins; Niels Buus; Lene Lauge Berring; Terry Connolly; Annette Erlangsen; Jean Morrissey Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-11 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Hilary Causer; Johanna Spiers; Nikolaos Efstathiou; Stephanie Aston; Carolyn A Chew-Graham; Anya Gopfert; Kathryn Grayling; Jill Maben; Maria van Hove; Ruth Riley Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-14 Impact factor: 4.614