Support groups for suicide survivors: results of a survey of group leaders.
To update and expand Rubey and McIntosh's (1996) survivors of suicide support groups report, SPAN USA completed a survey of U.S. support group leaders (n = 100; 24% completion). There are now more survivor groups (from 280 to 417), and the majority of groups now have a survivor leader (78% vs. 25%). Groups continue to be small (88% < 10 members per session) and meet on a monthly basis (55%). Sharing continues to be a universal experience in groups, which tend to be open-ended (85%). Current groups are newer, and more operate without a sponsor. Further research is needed to examine group member perspectives and effectiveness of groups.
Cerel
Julie
J
University of Kentucky College of Social Work, 627 Patterson Office Tower, College of Social Work, Lexington, KY 40506, USA. julie.cerel@uky.edu
Padgett
Jason H
JH
Reed
Gerald A
GA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data