The aftermath of suicide: managing survivors' bereavement.

OBJECTIVE

To consider the management of bereavement in 1) those who have recently experienced the loss of a close family member or friend by suicide, 2) fellow patients on a ward or caregivers, and 3) therapists and other primary caregivers.

METHOD

Systematic review of the literature.

RESULTS

The quality of treatment trials of suicide survivors and others with complicated grief reactions is poor, with a few exceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

Emerging treatment methods with manualized complicated grief therapy (a form of cognitive-behavioural therapy) seem promising in adults, but there are also indications for interpersonal therapy (when the deceased is a child). Bereavement groups for children who have lost adult relatives may be useful.