Reactions to adolescent suicide and crisis intervention in three secondary schools

This study investigated crisis intervention in three secondary schools after the suicides of five students, focusing on the 89 classmates' risk of developing symptoms of PTSD (measured by IES) and high intensity (HI) grief as measured by Hogan Sibling Inventory of Bereavement. Crisis interventions for the students varied from none to first talk-throughs and psychological debriefings. Six months after the suicide, 30% of the classmates evidenced scores indicative of PTSD and 9.8% evidenced HI grief. Friendship was a predictor of PTSD and HI grief. Inadequate crisis intervention was a risk factor for HI grief. Proper crisis intervention, and appropriate screening and focused post-trauma psychotherapy after a suicide of a student are recommended.