Development of an Online Resource for People Bereaved by Suicide: A Mixed-Method User-Centered Study Protocol

Introduction: Suicide bereavement is known to be highly distressing and is frequently associated with mental health problems. Despite high-level of need regarding mental and physical health, people bereaved by suicide display low level of help-seeking and perceived support in the aftermath of the loss. The lack of accessibility and reliability of face-to-face counseling resources is notably reported by suicide survivors. Online resources can enhance early access to help and support for people bereaved by suicide. The primary objective of the study is to design and implement an innovative and adaptive online resource for people bereaved by suicide according to their needs and expectation regarding online solutions dedicated to suicide bereavement.Methods: The ESPOIR2S study is a mixed-method user-centered study. ESPOIR2S seeks to build the resource from the perspectives and needs of both people bereaved by suicide and professionals or volunteers working in the field of postvention. The Information System Research (ISR) Framework is used to guide the design of the study through a 3-step research cycle. The structure of the ESPOIR2S study relies on a simultaneous collection of qualitative and quantitative data which will be collected and analyzed during (a) the Relevance cycle through an online questionnaire and focus groups; (b) the Design cycle through focus groups; and (c) and the Rigor cycle through an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The user-centeredness will be ensured by the active participation of people bereaved by suicide, members of associations for bereaved people and professionals of postvention.Discussion: The mixed-method and user-centered design of the ESPOIR2S study will offer an in-depth collection of the needs and expectation of suicide survivors regarding online resources. Through the implementation of an adaptive online solution, we aim to enhance the access to help and support for suicide survivors which are highly correlated with well-being and recovery.

Ethical dilemmas encountered in suicide research and management: Experiences of young mental health professionals

This study aimed to explore ethical dilemmas and challenges faced by young mental healthcare researchers and professionals working with survivors of suicide (hereinafter suicide survivors). Two focus group discussions (FGDs) Researcher FGD (with those engaged in suicide research) and Clinician FGD (with those providing treatment to suicide survivors) – consisting of open-ended questions and lasting for 70-90 minutes were conducted and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Five themes were identified: i) struggling with the incongruity of harm within benefit, ii) difficulty in delineating boundaries, iii) self-doubt in one’s professional competence, iv) nature of suicide straining the limits of confidentiality, and v) working with structural limitations. The study helps to understand the obstacles and dilemmas encountered in adhering to ethical principles while working with vulnerable individuals.

Is Suicide the Unforgivable Sin? Understanding Suicide, Stigma, and Salvation through Two Christian Perspectives

Is suicide the unforgivable sin? Most Western arguments against suicide stem from Christian arguments. Christianity has a long-standing position that suicide is morally wrong. However, on the issue of suicide and salvation, Christianity is divided. Debate, discussion, and interpretation through the centuries have led to two different positions. This result has divided the Christian community in multiple ways. These beliefs have likely impacted the level of stigma associated with suicide losses, suicide attempts, and suicide survivors within Christianity. The stigma of suicide can be lethal if it is not properly addressed. Stigma can easily push people away from caring communities of support and from God. This paper examines the two predominate Christian theological positions on suicide and highlights areas where stigma has hindered help, support, and care. Lowering the negative effects of suicidal stigma is a foundational piece of the solution for communities of faith to engage people at risk of suicide.

The Interplay of Social Policy and Suicide in Gilgit-Baltistan Region: What Went Wrong?

Suicide has emerged as a serious social issue in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) due to consistently rising suicidal thoughts and actions among young people. However, suicidal behaviours remained an under-researched subject in Pakistan. Consequently, the growing suicidal inclination in the Gilgit-Baltistan region has not yet received the due consideration of policy analysts and social scientists in general. Meanwhile, suicide has emerged as a leading cause of death among youth and a major public health issue signifying serious problems in the socio-cultural system of the country. The current research explores the socio-economic factors prompting individuals to commit suicide. Furthermore, the study asks what role the GB government and other stakeholders of social policy are playing in understanding and eliminating the tendency of suicidal ideation. The research was conducted in the Ghizer district using qualitative research methodology. Case study data were collected using in-depth interviews with suicide survivors and friends, parents and family members of those who committed suicide. The findings of this research reveal that forced marriages, educational pressures, financial crises, family conflicts and societal restrictions are the leading causes of the mounting suicides in the region. The government was unable to formulate a specific social policy to comprehend the causes of suicides in the area, nor did it make any substantial intervention to end this endemic trend. Finally, the study suggests that there is a dire need to conduct culture-specific research on this vital issue to grasp the grassroots understanding in order to formulate successful policy interventions.

A Qualitative Study on Traumatic Experiences of Suicide Survivors

The suicide of a loved one can be a traumatic experience. The objective of this study was to investigate trauma-related experiences of suicide survivors. This is a qualitative study with people who had recently lost a family member or a close one to suicide, conducted at least two months after the event. Forty-one participants agreed to take part in the study and were interviewed. The interviewees' perception was that suicide brought harm, symptoms, and suffering. Traumatic experiences can begin immediately after the event, with many reporting symptoms lasting many months and persistent impact, both personal and to the family. Postvention models after suicide should incorporate such findings, and investigate trauma consistently.

Social Support and Help-Seeking Among Suicide Bereaved: A Study With Italian Survivors

Background Research over how suicide survivors approach services is limited. Aims: This cross-sectional study explores the psychological state and perceived social support of Italian survivors, including those who have not sought for help, and investigates differences for gender or kinship with the departed. Methods: Rule-based system (RBS) analyses identified relationships between social support and reported formal/informal help-seeking behavior. One-hundred thirty-two (103F; 27M) suicide survivors (53 having never sought for support) answered an anonymous online survey. Life satisfaction, wellbeing, perceived social support, suicidal ideation and formal/informal help-seeking were investigated. Results: RBS analysis identified different help-seeking behaviors: survivors lacking social support may avoid reaching a psychologist and prefer GPs, look for advice in online forums and rely on people out of their narrower network such as co-workers. Conclusion: These unique study’s results offer insight to identify which specific areas would be fruitful to investigate while assessing social support in bereaved individuals.