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Updated: May 23, 2026
04:36
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Essential questions on suicide bereavement and postvention
Karl Andriessen1, Karolina Krysinska
1Suicide Prevention Program of the Flemish Community Mental Health Centres, 9000 Gent, Belgium. karl.andriessen@pandora.be
Summary
Postvention offers crucial support to suicide-bereaved individuals and communities. This article explores key issues in suicide bereavement and postvention, recommending strategies to enhance its preventive potential.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Public and research interest in postvention (support after suicide) has grown.
- The field of suicide postvention faces significant challenges and unanswered questions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss essential issues in suicide bereavement and postvention.
- To examine the current state and future developments in the field.
- To explore the potential of postvention as a form of prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on suicide bereavement and postvention.
- Discussion of key concepts: defining suicide survivors, differentiating suicide bereavement, identifying survivor needs.
- Analysis of postvention from clinical and public health perspectives.
Main Results:
- Defines 'suicide survivor' and discusses the prevalence of suicide bereavement.
- Highlights the unique aspects of grief following suicide compared to other bereavements.
- Outlines the multifaceted needs of suicide survivors.
- Examines postvention strategies from both clinical and public health viewpoints.
Conclusions:
- Postvention addresses critical needs of those affected by suicide.
- There is a strong argument for postvention's role in suicide prevention.
- Recommendations are provided to bolster postvention's effectiveness and preventive capacity.
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