title: Helpful and unhelpful responses after suicide: Experiences of bereaved family members.
abstract: Individuals who are bereaved by suicide and other traumatic natured deaths are thought to be at greater risk of psychological complications, than people bereaved by other means. While it is recognized that interventions can influence the bereavement process, there remains limited communications about both helpful responses and those that may adversely influence the grieving process for the suicide bereaved. This paper presents findings from a narrative study, which sought the experiences of family members after the loss of a loved one as a result of suicide. The study findings demonstrated that responses by agencies are often insensitive and not aligned with the needs of those bereaved. We argue that training is paramount for all services to increase awareness of the needs of people bereaved by suicide and available support services. Changes to organizational policies in relation to finance support would greatly support the bereaved during their time of grief and heightened distress.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia. k.peters@westernsydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kath
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Thomas Embling Hospital, Melbourne, Australia & School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University.
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK and School of Health, University of New England, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: emergency services; first responders; suicide bereavement; support services