No abstract

Context:It is estimated that approximately one in four people know someone who has taken their own life and that one suicide death leaves six or more suicide survivors.Aims:The aim of this paper was to review the literature regarding the association between suicide and bereavement, focusing also on the supportive and therapeutic resources available for survivors.Materials and Methods:Careful MedLine and PsycINFO searches for the period 1980-2013.Results:The review of the literature indicates that emotional turmoil in suicide survivors may last a long time and, in some cases, may end with their own suicide.Conclusion:Future research should evaluate the efficacy of professional treatments and of support groups targeting suicide survivors.Practice Implications:It is crucial to understand the bereavement process after the suicide of a significant other in order to provide proper care, reduce stigma, and improve the outcomes of related psychiatric conditions.