@article{ref1,
title="Suicide bereavement in the UK: descriptive findings from a national survey",
journal="Suicide and life-threatening behavior",
year="2022",
author="McDonnell, Sharon and Flynn, Sandra and Shaw, Jenny and Smith, Shirley and McGale, Barry and Hunt, Isabelle M.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Those bereaved by suicide are a high-risk group of adverse health outcomes and suicidal behavior, yet little is known about the experiences and support needs of these individuals in the UK. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a national cross-sectional study using an online survey and analyzed the experiences of 7158 participants who had been bereaved or affected by suicide. <br><br>RESULTS: Suicide had a major impact on 77% of participants, including those who had lost a friend and those exposed to suicide at a professional level. Mental and physical health problems linked to the suicide were reported in half. Adverse social outcomes and engaging in high-risk behaviors following the suicide were common. Over a third reported suicidal ideation and 8% had attempted suicide as a direct result of the suicide loss. Most had not accessed support services, with the majority viewing provision of local suicide bereavement support as inadequate. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need for a multi-disciplinary approach in postvention and the provision of proactive outreach to support those bereaved by suicide. Postvention efforts need to acknowledge the death of a friend by suicide as a significant loss.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0363-0234",
doi="10.1111/sltb.12874",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12874"
}