Priorities for the development and evaluation of support after suicide bereavement in the UK: results of a discussion group

We present the results of a group discussion conducted to identify research priorities among people bereaved by suicide regarding support needs. The authors’ research team had recently published evidence from a UK-wide sample of young bereaved adults showing that those bereaved by suicide had a greater probability of suicide attempt than those bereaved by other causes of sudden death. For this study, ten UK-based adults bereaved by the suicide of a partner or family member were invited to join a group discussion to identify and prioritise an intervention to evaluate. These priorities were discussed in the context of unmet needs for support, identifying a need to develop and evaluate: immediate outreach after suicide; diversification and development of peer support services; and individual psychological support for those who feel suicidal. The group also suggested five key outcome measures: isolation; stigma; psychological health; day-to-day social functioning; and functioning in a work or caregiver role. The views presented in this discussion are a valuable contribution to the design of research that will inform national public health policy and the suicide prevention strategy for England.