Postvention Following Bereavement by Suicide

doi:10.1017/9781108963763.017

Chapter 16 - Postvention Following Bereavement by Suicide

from Section 3 - Practicalities

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2025

Alexandra Pitman and

Keith Hawton

Edited by

Rob Poole,

Murad M. Khan and

Catherine A. Robinson

Show author details

Rob Poole: Affiliation:
Bangor University
Murad M. Khan: Affiliation:
Aga Khan University
Catherine A. Robinson: Affiliation:
University of Manchester

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Summary

Postvention describes the support offered after suicide bereavement to mitigate the risk of suicide in those affected by the loss. In this chapter we describe the international epidemiological evidence about the impact of suicide on relatives, friends, and other close contacts of the deceased. This includes an elevated risk of depression and suicide, and other adverse physical health and social outcomes. We describe the practice of postvention as it applies to recommended responses to suicide in clinical and community settings, and the evidence to support this. Whilst there is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of postvention in preventing suicide specifically, there is evidence that it improves the mental health and social outcomes likely to mediate suicide risk. Clinicians who encounter suicide-bereaved individuals should be aware of resources available to people affected by suicide loss, described here, including digital resources in the public domain.

Keywords

postvention grief bereavement stigma suicide loss death grieving prolonged grief complicated grief traumatic loss

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Preventing Suicide
An Evidence-Based Approach
, pp. 206 - 222
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108963763.017 [Opens in a new window]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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