Introduction:
In a society that invariably shies away from conversations around death and dying, particularly suicide and the unfathomable pain endured by those left behind, support groups for the suicide bereaved offer a valuable opportunity for exploring personal and collective grief in a safe and non-judgmental space with others that understand the deep complexities of losing a loved one to suicide. If one considers data provided by Postvention Australia (June, 2019), indicating that those bereaved by suicide are eight times more likely to take their own lives compared to the general population, then it is vitally important to identify and utilise best practice interventions to support this grieving population.
Well facilitated support groups allow participants to feel less alone, supported in sharing as little or as much of their pain as they are comfortable with, scaffolded by the realisation that their feelings are neither abnormal nor unique. Group work appears to increase social connection and helps mitigate the sense of rejection and isolation that those who are bereaved through suicide often experience in the aftermath of loss, in part due to feelings such as shame, stigma and guilt.
Objectives:
This study was undertaken to document the supportive and healing potential that individuals may experience through participating in suicide bereavement support groups. In addition to which, it aimed to highlight the value that trained peer support workers with their own lived experience of suicide bring to the group dynamic in fostering resilience and hope for the future.
Approach:
Utilising a qualitative phenomenological approach, data was collected from participants of Arbor's eight-week suicide bereavement support groups. Data included quotes and feedback from attending lived experience peer support workers. The resulting findings are presented in this paper using reflections from group participants, with their permission, to highlight how sharing grief stories in a safe group space can enhance connection, reduce isolation, and facilitate the possibility of hope and post traumatic growth.
Practice Implication:
The changes that grieving individuals experience through targeted group participation are often difficult to statistically quantify, but as Hoy (2016) stated “We cannot wait for evidence, we need to support people in their pain” (p.11). Support groups such as the ones described here aim to do just that, evidenced by the consistently rich and positive qualitative data gathered from ongoing group participants' feedback.
Conclusion:
Findings suggest that suicide bereavement support groups are an important component in suicide postvention.