Suicide Postvention: What is it and why is it important?
When a person dies by suicide, the loved ones they have left behind struggle to cope with the tragedy. Besides close family, a suicide impacts friends, co-workers, first responders, treatment providers, witnesses and more. One study conducted by the Survivors of Suicide Loss Task Force found that each suicide touches the lives of 115 people; of those 1 in 5 report that it had "a devastating impact or caused a major life disruption." This is where suicide postvention comes in.
What is Postvention?
The Survivors of Suicide Loss Task Force defines postvention as an organized response in the aftermath of a suicide to accomplish any one or more of the following:
To facilitate the healing of individuals from the grief and distress of suicide loss
To mitigate other negative effects of exposure to suicide
To prevent suicide among people who are at high risk after exposure to suicide
Planning ahead to address individual and community needs
Providing immediate and long-term support
Tailoring responses and services to the unique needs of suicide loss survivors
Involving survivors of suicide loss in planning and implementing postvention efforts
Why is postvention so important? Research shows that family members of individuals who die by suicide are at an increased risk themselves. With the proper support immediately following a suicide, additional lives can be saved.
You can find a wide variety of postvention resources, including those specifically for schools and workplaces, on the the CT Suicide Advisory Board website and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center website. Download the infographic below to find suicide loss support groups and other resources in our region.
For many people in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental health disorder, sharing their personal stories with others is a helpful part of the recovery process. Below are two videos from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Do you know someone in recovery and are looking for ways to support them? Here are some tips.
Looking for Recovery Resources?
We have updated our Recovery page! Check it out to find local resources to support you in recovery. You can always find additional resources in our Resources Guides, which are available in English and Spanish.
Instead of emailing us, you can now visit our website to register for upcoming QPR trainings and Narcan trainings. We will be adding other events regularly also, so check back.
The Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition
The American Association of Suicidology is excited to announce the opening of the 2021 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition! We invite attempt survivors and those with lived experience to share their written stories to highlight the importance of these experiences. Learn more.
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