A mental health clinician's guide to death notification

The purpose of this article is to present an overview of past and present research to promote further understanding of the dynamics and process of death notification for mental health practitioners. This article includes information for interventionists to gain a better understanding of how their primary professional role and their own emotional vulnerabilities can impact the process. Additionally, the stress imposed on the interventionist, expected survivor reactions, and traumatic loss are discussed. Lastly, to help prepare mental health professionals who may be asked to assist in the process, a protocol for the systematic delivery of death notification information is suggested.