The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Annual Meeting 2003
30 June to 3rd July 2003
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
The findings of a new study have revealed aspects of suicide
bereavement among parents that have never been identified
before.
Most research conducted worldwide has focused on the suicidal
person, with efforts directed towards suicide prevention. Little
attention has been paid to the emotional distress suffered by those
whose lives continue in the aftermath of a family member’s
self-destruction.
Paradoxically, those bereaved by suicide usually outnumber the
deceased. It has been argued that between seven and ten family
members or significant others will be profoundly affected by each
suicide. Applying these figures to the UK annual suicide rate of
5000, it is possible that as many as 35,000 to 50,000 lives may be
profoundly affected each year.
In addition, people bereaved by suicide are between 80% and
300% more likely to commit suicide themselves than the general
population. Reducing the stress experienced by those bereaved by
suicide is arguably a major mental health problem.
Bereavement by the suicide of a fully-grown child is
considered the most distressing. However, there is no specialist
support in suicide bereavement in the UK. This is a particularly
important omission, given that suicide by young adults has doubled
in the last two decades.
This study assessed the needs of bereaved parents of offspring
aged between 16 and 35, who had either a suicide or an open verdict
returned. Qualitative methods were used to identify the specific
grief responses of parents bereaved by suicide, and their needs and
views on the kind of service that should be provided.
The findings revealed aspects of suicide bereavement never
before identified. Examples include:
- the psychological implications of coping with the deceased
being unidentifiable (e.g. decapitated, decomposed)
- the discrepancy of the recorded date of death and actual
death
- insensitivity of health professionals when dealing with the
bereaved
- the psychological implications of a suicide or open verdict
being returned
- the trauma of attending an inquest.
- The authors of the study comment that the findings also
emphasise the importance of qualitative research methods in suicide
prevention research.
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127