The Legacy of Suicide: Observations on the Pathogenic Impact of Suicide Upon Marital Partners

This article describes a number of disturbed reactions to a marital partner’s suicide. The author’s observations indicate that these disturbed reactions originate with intense guilt following suicide, the shame, denial & concealment which distort the mourning process & the blame & accusation exhibited by the community. Data strongly suggest the need for postvention with survivors of suicide. (JB)