Effectiveness of suicide postvention service models and guidelines 2014-2024: A scoping review

Effective suicide postvention services provide immediate and ongoing support for suicide loss survivors. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed and grey literature exploring which suicide postvention service models have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing distress and supporting recovery in families, friends, and communities impacted by suicide.

The scoping review adhered to the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We conducted searches in five databases which included MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, EBM Reviews, and Web of Science for peer reviewed studies and through Google search for grey literature.

We identified 19 peer-reviewed studies and 14 guidelines (2014-2024) from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, which varied in measures, settings, and populations but lacked quality and generalizability. Guidelines based on theoretical models, particularly the public health model, aligned postvention with addressing the diverse needs of suicide loss survivors.

The review identified potentially effective postvention components, such as the use of trained volunteers in support and therapy groups, workplace training programs and arts-based interventions, which could benefit those bereaved by suicide in Australia.