Helping Suicide Survivors (IN: Suicide Prevention: Resources for the Millennium, edited by D Lester)

This chapter examines issues associated with helping survivors of suicide including: feelings of survivors after the death of a loved one; feelings of survivors after suicide; treatment; & children & bereavement. International activities in survivor groups are discussed. The basic assumptions of survivor groups are reviewed through a discussion of early peer-led groups, professional & professional/peer survivor groups, & survivor groups for children. Issues for helping professional caregivers affected by suicide are discussed. An overview of the AAS Survivor Support Group Guidelines is provided. Ongoing difficulties in the provision of support services for survivors are described. (82 refs.)