The Aftermath of Suicide: Managing Survivors’ Bereavement

OBJECTIVE: To consider the management of bereavement in 1) those who have recently experienced the loss of a close family member or friend by suicide, 2) fellow patients on a ward or caregivers, and 3) therapists and other primary caregivers. METHOD: Systematic review of the literature. RESULTS: The quality of treatment trials of suicide survivors and others with complicated grief reactions is poor, with a few exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Emerging treatment methods with manualized complicated grief therapy (a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy) seem promising in adults, but there are also indications for interpersonal therapy (when the deceased is a child). Bereavement groups for children who have lost adult relatives may be useful.