title: The psychological impact of losing a friend to suicide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suicide bereavement research can help facilitate greater understanding of the impact of suicide and potential risks for others. As there is limited research on the experience of young people who lose a friend to suicide, the aim of this exploratory study was to consider specific psychological factors for such bereaved young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten young people who had experienced the suicide death of a friend completed self-report measures to assess levels of depression, anxiety, coping and prolonged grief.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported increased levels of stress, depression, reduced coping capacity and prolonged grief symptoms that have continued considerably beyond the death of their friend.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological distress for young people bereaved by a friend's suicide is of concern given the developmental changes and life transitions associated with this age group. Implications include the significant health and wellbeing challenges associated with suicide bereavement for young people. The outcomes support a more proactive response from mental health and support services.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychologist and PhD student, CRN for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Rural and Regional Communities, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bartik
authors.forename: Myfanwy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maple
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiernan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001601:Bereavement; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bereavement; coping; depression; grief; suicide; young people