Rodway et al, 2022

This study aimed to estimate how often suicide in young people is preceded by a bereavement; describe the features of these suicides by young people, and to test the hypothesis that young people who died by suicide who were bereaved would differ in their demographic, social and clinical characteristics from young people who died by suicide who had not been bereaved.

Information about young people aged 10-19 who died by suicide between 2014 and 2016 was collected from official investigations into these deaths, mainly coroner inquest hearings. 25% of suicide deaths in young people were preceded by a bereavement, 9% by a suicide bereavement. Bereavement appeared add to existing adversities, with many antecedents of suicide more likely in young people who were bereaved.

Lasting bereavement support needs to be available for young people. Protecting young people from contagion, and positive dissemination of information and support about mental illness and suicide, are important to suicide prevention. 

Read the full paper:

• Bereavement and suicide bereavement as an antecedent of suicide in children and young people (Journal of Affective Disorders)

Related