Year: 2009 Source: Crisis, v.30, no.1, (2009), p.20-24 SIEC No: 20100268

This article aimed to identify the therapeutic effects of psychological autopsies & to discuss their potential impact on participants’ narratives. 35 psychological autopsy interviews, consisting of questionnaires & open-ended questions, were conducted with families & friends of the deceased. The psychological autopsies were helpful in allowing interviewees to find meaning in the suicide, to find purpose through their altruistic participation, to obtain psychological support, to experience connectedness with others, to accept the loss as real, & to gain insight into their functioning. Negative reactions, although uncommon, are also described. The authors recommend interviewers receive preparatory training & ongoing supervision. (30 refs.)