Interventions for People Bereaved Through Suicide: Systematic Review

The authors did a systematic review of data from controlled studies of interventions for people bereaved by suicide. Studies were identified using systematic searches, the methodological quality of included studies was assessed, & narrative synthesis conducted. 8 studies were identified. All but one had substantial methodological limitations. When compared with no intervention, there was evidence of some benefit from single studies of a cognitive-behavioural family intervention of 4 sessions with a psychiatric nurse; a psychologist-led 10-week bereavement group intervention for children, & 8-week group therapy for adults delivered by a mental health professional and volunteer. The findings from studies comparing 2 or more active interventions were more equivocal. (24 refs.)