Events Prior to Completed Suicide: Perspectives of Family Survivors

Abstract

Relatively little is known about the experiences of those bereaved by suicide, particularly in the weeks leading to the death of a loved one. This study used a qualitative methodology to explore the perspectives of close survivors of a completed suicide. Ten people who were bereaved by suicide participated in face-to-face interviews that were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Analysis revealed the following three themes: He Tried to Hang Himself: Purposeful indications of the intent to end life; They Still Ignored It: Disappointment with health services; and Nobody Talked to Me: Exclusion of family members from treatment information. Prior to the suicide of their loved one, participants had identified that the loved one was at risk and perceived they were unable to acquire appropriate assistance from services. Rather, services were perceived by participants as unsupportive and inadequate. Health and social service professionals could benefit from further specialised education concerning suicide and its sequelae to ensure more effective and sensitive care delivery to suicide survivors.

Exploring the Complexities of Suicide Bereavement Research

“…Whilst some research indicates no difference in the bereavement experiences, other studies oppose this view and suggest the grief experience of suicide survivors could be qualitatively and quantitatively different from non-suicide grief owing to different feelings of guilt, shame, blame and stigma (Gaffney & Hannigan, 2010;Cvinar 2005;Peters, Murphy & Jackson, 2013). Although not all suicide survivors may experience stigma (Gall, Henneberry, & Eyre, 2014), suicide is deep rooted in historical legal and religious contexts which still to some extent influence how society perceives the act of suicide and attitudes towards suicide survivors (Parrish & Tunkle, 2005).…”

“…Additionally, suicide survivors have also identified complex feelings of rejection, isolation, abandonment and anger, which can have a negative effect on the process of healing and coping with suicide (Young et al, 2012). Missing warning signs or a sense of failure in preventing the suicide for some suicide survivors can severely impact their bereavement experience (Peters et al, 2013). Similarly, for some suicide survivors, a strong desire to find answers to why someone would die by suicide is also reported, thereby adding to the already complex process of bereavement (Hawton & Simkin, 2003).…”

“…A qualitative approach involving interviewing suicide survivors can add a deeper understanding and offer a unique perspective on subjective experiences, rather than based on assumptions about what is considered a normal grief process (Rawlinson et al, 2009). Moreover, suicide survivors can discuss their needs and what support they think would be useful for others in a similar situation (Peters et al, 2013). Carverhill (2002) report that suicide survivors who have previously participated in suicide bereavement research, have described the interviewing process as being beneficial when talking to strangers.…”

“…Lack of professional services or appropriate support from professionals and clinicians has also been suggested as obstacles for suicide survivors in accessing help (Peters et al, 2013). An insightful small qualitative study by McKinnon and Chonody (2014), explored postvention support used by people bereaved through suicide, and examined what support suicide survivors used, how useful this support was for them as well as what they felt were their unmet needs.…”

“…In addition, it is acknowledged that some strategies created and led by health professionals or clinicians may be unable to meet the identified needs of suicide survivors. It is thought that some clinicians fail to fully understand the process of suicide bereavement (Peters et al, 2013). The fear of being judged or stigmatised by health professionals can also prevent suicide survivors in accessing postvention support (Trimble, Hannigan & Gaffney, 2012).…”