The Impact of Stigma on Suicide Bereavement: A Narrative Review

Background: Suicide bereavement involves particular emotional and social complexities that distinguish it fromother forms of grief. In contemporary society, individuals who experience the loss of a loved one by suicide arealso confronted with the sociohistorically constructed stigma surrounding suicide. This stigma intensifiesexperiences such as silence, social isolation, and fear of judgment, directly affecting the grieving process.Therefore, this study aims to understand how suicide stigma impacts the bereavement process experienced bysuicide loss survivors.Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through a narrative literature review. The researchsought to present an updated discussion on the topic by articulating the foundational theoretical framework withrecent scientific literature addressing stigma and suicide bereavement.Results: The findings indicate that stigma constitutes a predominant marker in the bereavement processexperienced by suicide loss survivors. The literature reviewed demonstrates that stigma contributes to emotionalsuffering, social withdrawal, difficulties in expressing grief, and challenges in elaborating the loss. Furthermore,the study identifies gaps in the literature and highlights the need for broader discussions regarding psychosocialsupport and suicide postvention strategies.Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of developing strategies focused on suicide postvention,awareness-raising, and the expansion of resources at both personal and collective levels. Such measures maycontribute to reducing the social stigma associated with suicide and to promoting more supportive environmentsfor suicide loss survivors.