Death on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Effect on a subgroup of schizophrenic patients

This study documents the effect of an untimely death on a group of patients in a psychiatric inpatient unit. The large community meeting was used as a forum to characterize unique bereavement patterns in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients. Nonschizophrenic patients tended to reach out to obtain comfort and support, but schizophrenic patients showed a heightened sense of vulnerability and expressed distrust and blame toward the staff. We document the interventions that were attempted in neutralizing regression and restoring adaptive coping mechanisms during and after the community meeting.