The review highlights the significant impact of suicide on families, friends, and communities, recognising it as a major public health issue. It emphasises the importance of suicide postvention, which provides immediate and ongoing support to those bereaved by suicide, as a crucial part of suicide prevention strategies. The review analysed 19 peer-reviewed papers and 14 guidelines from 2014 to 2024, assessing various postvention interventions in diverse settings and populations. Effective components identified include trained volunteers, workplace training, and arts-based interventions. The findings suggest that a public health approach is essential to meet the needs of those bereaved by suicide in Tasmania, aligning with broader national and international efforts.

Citation

Andriessen K, Ramamurthy C, Fraser T, Hawgood J, Kolves K, Reifels L, Reavley, N, & Krysinska K. Suicide postvention and suicide bereavement support services: an Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (www.saxinstitute.org.au) for the Department of Health, Tasmania, 2024. doi:10.57022/vyoy9587

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