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A Call for Research: The Need to Better Understand the Impact of Support Groups for Suicide Survivors
Author(s) -
Cerel Julie,
Padgett Jason H.,
Conwell Yeates,
Reed Gerald A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1521/suli.2009.39.3.269
Subject(s) - suicide prevention , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , occupational safety and health , public health , psychology , injury prevention , social support , support group , medicine , psychiatry , medical emergency , nursing , social psychology , pathology
Support groups for suicide survivors (those individuals bereaved following a suicide) are widely used, but little research evidence is available to determine their efficacy. This paper outlines the pressing public health need to conduct research and determine effective ways to identify and meet the needs of suicide survivors, particularly through survivor support groups. After describing the various approaches to survivor support groups, we explain the need for further research, despite the inherent challenges. Finally, we pose several questions for researchers to consider as they work with survivors to develop a research agenda that sheds more light on the experiences of survivors and the help provided by survivor support groups.