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Abstract

This two-part report examines important aspects of survivor of suicide support groups: some of the motivating factors attracting survivors to join these groups and why many withdraw as time after a loss passes. In this second part we analyze the support group departures issue, drawing primarily upon participant observation data collected over a 7-year period from more than 300 suicide survivors observed at monthly group meetings and from follow-up interviews with 24 respondents who withdrew from groups. Findings suggest that support group affiliation is a time-limited activity for most of those bereaved by suicide. This very preliminary data suggests that most survivors feel that two things were especially indispensable to them in their efforts to advance after a suicide loss: 1) affiliation to a support group (or to several groups); and 2) the help received from friendships established with other survivors along their healing journeys.

Keywords

suicide bereavement suicide survivors support groups support group departures

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Suicide Survivor Support Groups: Comings and Goings,Part II

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