Survivor-Victims: Who Discovers or Witnesses Suicide?

Abstract

At least 25,000 suicides are identified each year. For each suicide there are approximately six survivor-victims left bereaved (Shneidman, 1969). The present study examined 1,092 suicides committed in Riverside County, California, between 1960 and 1974, to establish who discovers suicide, how many suicides are committed in the presence of a witness, and who these witnesses are. Research is cited which indicates that because of the added guilt and shame suffered by suicide survivor-victims they may be more vulnerable to the stress of bereavement than are mourners in general. It is suggested that persons who discover or witness a suicide may represent a sub-population of survivor-victims who need special postventive care and a call is made for research to investigate this further.

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