Estimating the population of survivors of suicide: Seeking an evidence base
Abstract
Shneidman (1973) derived an estimate of six survivors for every suicide that, in the ensuing years, has become an assumed fact underlying public health messaging campaigns in support of suicide prevention and postvention programs worldwide, in spite of it lacking either empirical testing or validation. This report offers a first test designed to derive estimates of suicide survivors and raises an array of empirical questions needing further study to reasonably address the impact of suicide on others.
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On average, five immediate family members and up to 135 individuals can be exposed to the impact of an individual's suicide.
“Studies have shown that, on average, five immediate family members and up to 135 individuals can be exposed to the impact of an individual's suicide (Berman, 2011; Cerel et al., 2018).”
From Suicide Postvention Service Models and Guidelines 2014–2019: A Systematic Review (2019) · cites this paper as Berman, 2011
The first systematic estimation of the number of suicide survivors found that the number varied considerably depending on the type of relationship, the frequency of contact between the deceased and the bereaved, and the age of the deceased.
“The first systematic estimation of the number of suicide survivors, a survey among members of suicide survivor support groups [4], found that the number varied considerably depending on the type of the relationship, the frequency of contact between the deceased and the bereaved, and the age of the deceased.”
From Essential Questions on Suicide Bereavement and Postvention (2011) · cites this paper as [4]
In the first systematic estimation, parents who lost a child by suicide estimated that the death left 80 suicide survivors behind, spouses/partners estimated 60, and siblings/friends estimated 45-50.
“For example, parents who lost a child by suicide estimated that the death has left 80 suicide survivors behind, the spouses and/or partners of the suicides estimated the number at 60, while siblings and/or friends at 45–50.”
From Essential Questions on Suicide Bereavement and Postvention (2011) · cites this paper as [4]
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Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years — United States, 2015–2019
Ivey-Stephenson, A. Z., Crosby, A. E., Hoenig, J. M., Gyawali, S., Park-Lee, E., & Hedden, S. L. (2022) · MMWR. Surveillance Summaries · doi:10.15585/mmwr.ss7101a1 · Cited by 512 · see citing works
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“E ach year, more than 800000 people die by suicide,(1) each person leaving behind up to 60 relatives and friends directly affected.(2) The emotional response to suicide lossmay include shock, denial, anger, guilt, shame, or relief, and complicated grief might arise.”
BackgroundParents Bereaved by Offspring Suicide: A Population-Based Longitudinal Case-Control Study
Bolton, J. M., Au, W., Leslie, W. D., Martens, P. J., Enns, M. W., Roos, L. L., Katz, L. Y., Wilcox, H. C., Erlangsen, A., Chateau, D., et al. (2013) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.275 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
“Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide(3) and is estimated on average to result in 6 bereaved individuals, often termed suicide survivors.(4) The importance of suicide bereavement has been emphasized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, which has established a task force on suicide bereaveme…”
BackgroundThe Lancet Commission on self-harm
Moran, P., Chandler, A., Dudgeon, P., Kirtley, O. J., Knipe, D. W., Pirkis, J., Sinyor, M., Allister, R., Ansloos, J. P., Ball, M. A., et al. (2024) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01121-8 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Feigelman, W. T., Cerel, J., McIntosh, J. L., Brent, D. A., & Gutin, N. J. (2017) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.09.056 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
“…bereavement including the following: higher risks of deaths by suicide, more suicidal ideation and attempts, greater depression, anxiety, PTSD, and an assortment of other mental health problems (Berman, 2011; Bolton et al., 2013; Brent and Melhem, 2008; Cerel et al., 2013; Feigelman et al., 2016).”
BackgroundInfluentialSuicide Postvention Service Models and Guidelines 2014–2019: A Systematic Review
Andriessen, K., Krysinska, K., Kõlves, K., & Reavley, N. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02677 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
“Studies have shown that, on average, Andriessen et al. Suicide Postvention 2014–2019: A Systematic Review five immediate family members and up to 135 individuals can be exposed to the impact of an individual’s suicide (Berman, 2011; Cerel et al., 2018).”
BackgroundEssential Questions on Suicide Bereavement and Postvention
Andriessen, K., & Krysinska, K. (2011) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph9010024 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
“The first systematic estimation of the number of suicide survivors, a survey among members of suicide survivor support groups [4], found that the”
Spillane, A., Matvienko-Sikar, K., Larkin, C., Corcoran, P., & Arensman, E. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019472 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
“For every death by suicide, an estimated 60 people are directly and intimately affected.(2) Recent research also indicates that 1 in 20 people have been exposed to suicide in the past year, and 1 in 5 people have been exposed to suicide during their lifetime.”
Exposure to Suicide and Identification as Survivor
Cerel, J., Maple, M. J., Aldrich, R. S., & van de Venne, J. (2013) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000220 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Parents’ Experiences of Suicide-Bereavement: A Qualitative Study at 6 and 12 Months after Loss
Ross, V. L., Kõlves, K., Kunde, L., & Leo, D. D. (2018) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph15040618 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
“In addition, in a study by Berman investigating the population of people impacted by suicide, parents of children who had died by suicide estimated that more than 80 individuals would have been intimately and directly affected by their own child’s suicide [3].”
BackgroundEvaluation of the Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk Training
Jacobson, J. M., Osteen, P. J., Jones, A. L., & Berman, A. L. (2012) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/j.1943-278x.2012.00105.x · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Exploring the Support Needs of People Bereaved by Suicide: A Qualitative Study
Ross, V. L., Kõlves, K., & Leo, D. D. (2019) · OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying · doi:10.1177/0030222819825775 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
“Estimates from the United States have indicated that on average 5 family members, 15 extended family members, 20 friends, and 20 class or workmates could be affected, suggesting approximately 60 people are directly and intimately affected by each suicide death (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundFleischmann, A., Arensman, E., Berman, A. L., Carli, V., Leo, D. D., Hadlaczky, G., Howlader, S., Vijayakumar, L., Wasserman, D., & Saxena, S. (2016) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2015.27 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
“Taking into consideration the family members, friends, work colleagues and communities, who are bereaved by suicide (Pitman et al. 2014), there are many millions of people every year who are affected by suicide and suicide attempts (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundPre- and postloss features of adolescent suicide bereavement: A systematic review
Andriessen, K., Draper, B., Dudley, M., & Mitchell, P. B. (2016) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2015.1128497 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
“Similar to the varying estimated numbers of people bereaved through suicide in the total population (Berman, 2011; Cerel, Maple, Aldrich, & van de Venne, 2013), the estimates for young people also vary considerably.”
ResultPitman, A., De Souza, T., Khrisna Putri, A., Stevenson, F., King, M., Osborn, D., & Morant, N. (2018) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph15040666 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
“Survey findings suggest that 60 people are deeply affected by each suicide death [12] but estimates are as high as 135 [13].”
BackgroundSpillane, A., Larkin, C., Corcoran, P. E., Matvienko‐Sikar, K., & Arensman, E. (2017) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014707 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Treml, J., Nagl, M., Linde, K., Kündiger, C., Peterhänsel, C., & Kersting, A. (2021) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2021.1926650 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
“Study results indicate that approximately five immediate family members, 15 extended family members, 20 friends, and 20 classmates or coworkers could be directly and intimately affected by each suicide death (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundAzorina, V., Morant, N. J., Nesse, H., Stevenson, F. A., Osborn, D., King, M., & Pitman, A. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16101801 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
“Although previously the WHO had estimated that each suicide left behind approximately 10 bereaved friends and family members [2], empirically-derived estimates suggest figures of between 60 [3] and 135 [4].”
BackgroundEfstathiou, V., Stefanou, M., Siafakas, N., Makris, M. P., Tsivgoulis, G. K., Zoumpourlis, V., Spandidos, D. A., Smyrnis, N., & Rizos, E. (2021) · Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine · doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11030 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
“Suicide survivors face an increased risk of prolonged or persistent complex bereavement (with rates reaching up to 40%), depression, anxiety and substance‐abuse disorders, as well as suicidal behaviors, while social stigma and feelings of shame may discourage them from seeking mental health‐related assistance (74,86).”
BackgroundGPs’ experiences of dealing with parents bereaved by suicide: A qualitative study
Foggin, E., McDonnell, S., Cordingley, L., Kapur, N., Shaw, J., & Chew-Graham, C. A. (2016) · British Journal of General Practice · doi:10.3399/bjgp16x686605 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Adolescent Survivors After Suicide:
Bartik, W. J., Maple, M. J., Edwards, H. E., & Kiernan, M. J. (2013) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000185 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Levi‐Belz, Y., & Aisenberg-Shafran, D. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.006 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Ali, B., Rockett, I. R. H., Miller, T. R., & Leonardo, J. B. (2021) · Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · doi:10.1007/s40615-020-00957-7 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
“, people who are directly and intimately affected) than older decedents [3].”
BackgroundReclaiming and Reshaping Life: Patterns of Reconstruction After the Suicide of a Loved One
Dransart, D. A. C. (2016) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732316637590 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Andriessen, K. (2014) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000269 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“The fi ndings from both Campbell (1997) and Berman (2011) might resemble the image of a rippling effect, similar to the effect of a stone that is thrown into the water, with people closer to the epicenter being more affected than people further away.”
BackgroundSuicide bereavement in the UK : Descriptive findings from a national survey
Mcdonnell, S., Flynn, S., Shaw, J. J., Smith, S., McGale, B., & Hunt, I. M. (2022) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/sltb.12874 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“estimations of suicide “survivors” range from 6 to 135 for every death by suicide (Berman, 2011; Cerel et al., 2018; Shneidman, 1973).”
BackgroundThe psychological impact of losing a friend to suicide
Bartik, W. J., Maple, M. J., Edwards, H. E., & Kiernan, M. J. (2013) · Australasian Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1039856213497986 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
“Australasian Psychiatry 21(6) 545 –549 © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.”
BackgroundOnline Memorialization and Grief After Suicide
Krysinska, K. E., & Andriessen, K. (2015) · OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying · doi:10.1177/0030222814568276 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“However, the first systematic estimation of the number of suicide survivors found that the number varies considerably depending on the type of the relationship, the frequency of contact between the deceased and the bereaved, and the age of the deceased (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundRisk of Suicide Attempt Among Soldiers in Army Units With a History of Suicide Attempts
Ursano, R. J., Kessler, R. C., Naifeh, J. A., Mash, H. B. H., Fullerton, C. S., Bliese, P. D., Zaslavsky, A. M., Ng, T. H. H., Aliaga, P. A., Wynn, G. H., et al. (2017) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.1925 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“It is estimated that for every suicide, many people are profoundly affected.(29,30) Nearly half of veterans report knowing someone who died by suicide,(31) with 65% of those knowing more than 1 decedent.”
Pitman, A., Putri, A. K., Souza, T. D., Stevenson, F. A., King, M., Osborn, D., & Morant, N. J. (2018) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph15040643 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“The WHO estimates that 10 people are deeply affected by each suicide death, while efforts at empirical estimates suggest a figure of 60 [7] and more recently, 135 [8].”
BackgroundBottomley, J. S., Smigelsky, M. A., Bellet, B. W., Flynn, L., Price, J., & Neimeyer, R. A. (2018) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2018.1456011 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“intimately impacted, namely as family members, colleagues, or friends (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundSuicide among college students in psychotherapy: Individual predictors and latent classes.
Hayes, J. A., Petrovich, J., Janis, R. A., Yang, Y., Castonguay, L. G., & Locke, B. D. (2019) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/cou0000384 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Events Prior to Completed Suicide: Perspectives of Family Survivors
Peters, K., Murphy, G., & Jackson, D. W. (2013) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.3109/01612840.2012.751639 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“, 2010), other mental illness, substance use, and social stress (Berman, 2011; Bolton, Pagura, Enns, Grant, & Sareen, 2010; Mitchell, Kim, Prigerson, & Mortimer-Stephens, 2004; Wilcox et al., 2010; Wong, Chan, Yeates, Conner, & Yip, 2010).”
BackgroundInfluentialSong, I. H., Kwon, S. W., & Kim, J. (2015) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/sltb.12158 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Drapeau, C. W., Cerel, J., & Moore, M. M. (2016) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2015.1107660 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“In addition, the impact of these deaths extends beyond the individual who died, as estimates suggest anywhere between five and 115 people are affected by each suicide (Berman, 2011; Cerel et al., in press).”
BackgroundCOVID-19 Suicide Survivors—A Hidden Grieving Population
Pinto, S., Soares, J., Silva, A., Curral, R., & Coelho, R. C. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.626807 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“It has been described that each suicide may affect between 5 nuclear family members and 80 relatives, friends and acquaintances (13).”
BackgroundChallenges and Opportunities for Suicide Bereavement Research
Moore, M. M., Maple, M. J., Mitchell, A. M., & Cerel, J. (2013) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000191 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“To date there has been no census of survivors conducted or documentation in the literature on the demography of those bereaved by suicide (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundLived Experiences of Suicide Bereavement within Families: A Qualitative Study
Creuzé, C., Lestienne, L., Vieux, M., Chalancon, B., Poulet, E., & Leaune, É. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192013070 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“Berman [2], for example, found that between five and fifteen family members are affected by one instance of suicide in the family.”
BackgroundKaspersen, S. L., Kalseth, J., Stene‐Larsen, K., & Reneflot, A. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191610016 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Exposure to suicide in Australia: A representative random digit dial study
Maple, M. J., Sanford, R., Pirkis, J., Reavley, N. J., & Nicholas, A. (2019) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.050 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
del Carpio, L., Paul, S., Paterson, A., & Rasmussen, S. A. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254203 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Causer, H., Spiers, J., Efstathiou, N., Aston, S., Chew-Graham, C. A., Göpfert, A., Grayling, K., Maben, J., van Hove, M., & Riley, R. A. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191811565 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Every suicide impacts approximately 80 [6] to 135 [7] people, of which 1 in 30 may be deeply impacted and so can be considered bereaved [8].”
BackgroundJahn, D. R., & Spencer‐Thomas, S. (2018) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel9080248 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“The large number of individuals personally affected by suicide (e.g., Berman 2011; Cerel 2015), as well as the potential for negative outcomes among these individuals (e.g., more complicated grief, elevated suicide risk; (Krysinska 2003; Young et al. 2012)) and the beneficial nature of spiritual…”
BackgroundScocco, P., Zerbinati, L., Preti, A., Ferrari, A., & Totaro, S. (2019) · Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.12175 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Use of Alcohol and Unprescribed Drugs after Suicide Bereavement: Qualitative Study
Eng, J., Drabwell, L., Stevenson, F. A., King, M., Osborn, D., & Pitman, A. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16214093 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Empirical estimates suggest that each suicide has emotional effects on between 60 [3] and 135 [4] friends and family members.”
BackgroundReligion and Spirituality in Online Suicide Bereavement
Krysinska, K. E., Andriessen, K., & Corveleyn, J. M. T. (2014) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000270 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“the bereaved, and the age of the deceased (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundVisser, V. S., Comans, T. A., & Scuffham, P. A. (2014) · Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/jcop.21586 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Raudales, A. M., Short, N. A., & Schmidt, N. B. (2019) · Archives of Suicide Research · doi:10.1080/13811118.2019.1598526 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Making Sense of the Unique Pain of Survivors: A Psychoeducational Approach for Suicide Bereavement
Berardelli, I., Erbuto, D., Rogante, E., Sarubbi, S., Lester, D., & Pompili, M. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01244 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Suicide bereavement: piloting a longitudinal study in Australia
Kõlves, K., & Leo, D. D. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019504 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Maple, M. J., Poštuvan, V., & Mcdonnell, S. (2019) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000620 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Wagner, B., Hofmann, L., & Maaß, U. (2020) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3891-5 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Causer, H., Bradley, E., Muse, K., & Smith, J. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0251369 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Far wider networks of people are affected by a suicide death than originally thought, extending beyond family members and close friends [3,4].”
BackgroundZavrou, R., Charalambous, A., Papastavrou, E., Koutrouba, A., & Karanikola, M. N. K. (2022) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/jpm.12866 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Psychometric properties of the positive thinking skills scale among college students
Matel-Anderson, D. M., & Bekhet, A. K. (2018) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2018.10.005 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“This number is expected to rise as the number of daily interactions between people continues to increase (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundLevi‐Belz, Y., & Feigelman, W. T. (2021) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000784 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Men on Losing a Male to Suicide: A Gender Analysis
Oliffe, J., Broom, A., Kelly, M., Bottorff, J., Creighton, G. M., & Ferlatte, O. (2018) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732318769600 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Pitman, A., Hunt, I. M., Mcdonnell, S., Appleby, L., & Kapur, N. (2016) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201600004 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Approximately 6,000 people die by suicide in the United Kingdom annually (1), with each suicide estimated to affect six (2) to 60 (3) friends and relatives.”
BackgroundRisks of suicide among family members of suicide victims: a nationwide sample of South Korea.
Jang, J., Park, S. Y., Kim, Y. Y., Kim, E. J., Lee, G., Seo, J., Na, E. J., Park, J.-Y., & Jeon, H. J. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.995834 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“One suicide is known to affect from six to 20 people on average, including extended family and coworkers (4, 5).”
BackgroundFortune, S., & Hetrick, S. (2022) · Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/00048674221107316 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56(12) Suicide deaths have a profound impact on whānau and community (Berman, 2011; Cerel et al., 2019) and are a tragic loss.”
BackgroundPak, K., Ferreira, K. E., & Ghahramanlou‐Holloway, M. (2018) · Archives of Suicide Research · doi:10.1080/13811118.2018.1428704 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“More recently, a survey of self-identified survivors found that when a sample was asked if they were “intimately and directly affected” by a suicide, about 5.13 individuals per suicide was derived (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundInfluentialJang, J., Lee, G., Seo, J., Na, E. J., Park, J. Y., & Jeon, H. J. (2020) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.04.021 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Surviving the Legacy of Suicide
Grad, O. T., & Andriessen, K. (2016) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118903223.ch37 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
del Carpio, L., Rasmussen, S. A., & Paul, S. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01153 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“This is significant given that many people are known to be affected by each suicide, with estimates ranging from 6 people (Shneidman, 1972), to 10 (Andriessen and Krysinska, 2012), 80 (Berman, 2011) and up to 135 (Cerel et al., 2018) individuals affected by every suicide.”
BackgroundIt’s Not Who You Know, It’s How You Think You Know Them: Suicide Exposure and Suicide Bereavement
Cerel, J., & Sanford, R. (2018) · The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child · doi:10.1080/00797308.2017.1415066 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“A study of adults who sought individual counseling after the loss found that 73 percent met criteria for a possible diagnosis of PTSD, even years after the suicide (Sanford et al. 2016).”
BackgroundInfluentialRecommendations for research on suicide loss: A commentary
Neimeyer, R. A., Cerel, J., & Maple, M. J. (2017) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2017.1335555 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“In light of estimates that 800,000 people die by suicide each year (WHO, 2014), and evidence that 5–15 nuclear to extended family members are “intimately and directly affected” by each death (Berman, 2011), 4 to 12 million people may suffer suicide bereavement annually worldwide.”
BackgroundDeCou, C. R., Skewes, M. C., López, E. D. S., & Skanis, M. L. (2012) · Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0030566 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Nilsson, C., Blomberg, K., & Bremer, A. (2022) · International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being · doi:10.1080/17482631.2022.2122157 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“For each suicide, an average of about 15 extended family members are estimated to be affected (Berman, 2011).”
BackgroundSuicide postvention for staff and students on university campuses: a scoping review
Allie, S.-L. N., Bantjes, J. R., & Andriessen, K. (2023) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068730 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Peer-support groups for suicide loss survivors: a systematic review
Inostroza, C., Rubio-Ramírez, F., Bustos, C., Quijada, Y., Fernández, D., Vasily Buhring, S., Vargas, B., Riquelme-Bórquez, A., & Araya, M. P. (2023) · Social Work With Groups · doi:10.1080/01609513.2023.2249053 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“…risk of death by suicide, increased probability of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, and increased levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Berman, 2011; Bolton et al., 2013; Brent & Melhem, 2008; Cerel et al., 2013; Feigelman et al., 2016; Pitman et al., 2017).”
BackgroundLevi‐Belz, Y. (2021) · Anxiety Stress & Coping · doi:10.1080/10615806.2021.1958791 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“…more than 800,000 people worldwide die by suicide annually (WHO, 2019) and that every suicide has a direct and profound impact on roughly 60 people (Berman, 2011; Maple et al., 2019), the current estimations are that each year 50–360 million people can be classified as suicide-loss survivors…”
BackgroundHill, N. T. M., Walker, R., Andriessen, K., Bouras, H., Tan, S. R., Amaratia, P., Woolard, A. J., Strauss, P., Perry, Y., & Lin, A. P. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1040323 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Ohayi, S. R. (2019) · Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences · doi:10.1186/s41935-019-0153-3 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“The number of persons affected by each suicide event appears to depend on sociocultural circumstances of those involved by the suicide with various authors reporting between as low as 18 and as high as 50 (Drapeau and McIntosh 2015; Bernan 2011; Bland 1994).”
BackgroundPEREIRA, A. M., & Campos, R. C. (2021) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.12325 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Exposed individuals are directly or indirectly affected, and the impact depends on the relationship, degree of kinship, level of prior contact, and/or proximity and the age of the deceased (e.g., Berman, 2011;Mitchell, Kim, Progerson, &Mortimer-Stephens, 2004).”
BackgroundAn Action Research Framework for Religion and the Stigma of Suicide
Lehmann, C. S., Leung, C., Miller, I., & Girguis, S. (2021) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel12100802 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Although suicide is a relatively rare event, it is estimated that for every suicide decedent, there are an average of six survivors who are severely bereaved by their death (Berman 2011; Pompili et al. 2013; Shneidman 1969).”
BackgroundMontgomery, A. E., Dichter, M. E., Byrne, T. H., & Blosnich, J. R. (2020) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech-2020-214664 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Wang, T., Yao, Z.-Y., Liu, Q., Zhao, J., Wang, X., Wong, J. P., Vahabi, M., & Jia, C.-X. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20043105 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“According to previous research, it is estimated that each suicide death will affect at least 135 people, including family, friends, and colleagues [5].”
MethodHe, X., Chen, S. E., Yu, Q., Yang, P., & Yang, B. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1484809 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Suicide attempts and deaths in older persons in Ghana: A media surveillance approach
Quarshie, E. N., Asante, K. O., Andoh–Arthur, J., Asare‐Doku, W., & Navelle, P. L. (2018) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-018-9932-5 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Levi‐Belz, Y. (2023) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/sltb.12973 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Galway, K., Forbes, T. L., Mallon, S. D., Santin, O., Best, P., Neff, J., Leavey, G., & Pitman, A. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16224561 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“The number of people affected by a single suicide loss is estimated at 60 friends, relatives, and colleagues [6], but with estimates as high as 135 people in the wider social network [7].”
BackgroundZeng, D., & Wu, X. (2020) · Health & Place · doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102472 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Postvention bei Suizid: Was man als Kinder- und Jugendpsychiater und -therapeut wissen sollte
Becker, K., Manthey, T., Kaess, M., Brockmann, E., Zimmermann, F., & Plener, P. L. (2017) · Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie · doi:10.1024/1422-4917/a000512 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Suicide-relatedbereavement and grief
Shear, M. K., & Zisook, S. (2014) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9781139519502.010 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
A Case Series Study of Help-Seeking among Younger and Older Men in Suicidal Crisis
Saini, P., Chopra, J., Hanlon, C. A., & Boland, J. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18147319 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“From a preventive perspective, there is an alarming call to go beyond the medical model and explore the signs that might indicate danger of suicide in the near term, including resistance against help-seeking among young men [21-23].”
BackgroundExperiences With Suicide Loss: A Qualitative Study
Mary McDaniel, B., Daly, P., Pacheco, C. L., & Crist, J. D. (2022) · Clinical Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/10547738221119344 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Estimates of numbers of deaths by suicide and its impact are also understated (Berman, 2011; McMenamy et al., 2008; Scocco et al., 2017).”
BackgroundLevi-Belz, Y., & Lev-Ari, L. (2023) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2022.2065707 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Each of these tragic deaths profoundly impacts more than 60 people, defined as suicide-loss survivors (Berman, 2011; Cerel et al., 2019; Feigelman et al., 2018).”
BackgroundCook, F. J., Langford, L., & Ruocco, K. A. (2017) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2017.1335552 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“The number of people bereaved by suicide is not accurately known (Berman, 2011; Cerel, Maple, Aldrich, & Van de Veene, 2013; Crosby & Sacks, 2002; Shneidman & Leenaars, 1999).”
BackgroundDiscursive construction of fatherly suicide
Ziółkowska, J., & Galasiński, D. (2016) · Critical Discourse Studies · doi:10.1080/17405904.2016.1250650 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Korean Teachers' Bereavement Experience Following Student Suicide
Kim, J. E. (2019) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000578 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Erlangsen, A., Fleischer, E., Gunnell, D., & Nordentoft, M. (2021) · Archives of Suicide Research · doi:10.1080/13811118.2021.1903636 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“, 2004); the same applies for friends and work colleagues (Berman, 2011; Brent et al., 1993).”
BackgroundSurvivors bereaved by suicide and the possibilities of postvention within Brazilian public health
Dantas, E. S. O., Bredemeier, J., & Amorim, K. P. C. (2022) · Saúde e Sociedade · doi:10.1590/s0104-12902022210496en · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“In a complementary and critical manner, Berman (2011) warns that estimates regarding the number of individuals vary, depending on the relationship, the frequency of contact between the deceased and the bereaved, and the age of the person who died, among others factors.”
BackgroundBowden, C. (2017) · doi:10.26686/wgtn.17064212 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“The estimates for how many young people have been bereaved by suicide vary and are similar to the estimates for how many people have been bereaved through suicide in the total population (Berman, 2011; Cerel, Maple, Aldrich & van de Venne, 2013).”
BackgroundResultSuicide-Bereaved Individuals’ Attitudes Toward Therapists
Ward‐Ciesielski, E. F., Wielgus, M. D., & Jones, C. B. (2014) · Crisis · doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000290 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Grief Reactions in the Suicide Bereaved
Iglewicz, A., Tal, I., & Zisook, S. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-65241-2_7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
- Authors
- Berman, A. L.
- Corresponding author
- Berman, Alan L.
- ORCID
- Berman, Alan L.
- Venue
- Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-02
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 110-116
- ISSN
- 0363-0234 (ISSN-L)
- 1943-278X
- OpenAlex
- W2143282997
- Cited by
- 190
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 7.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
- Keywords
- suicide survivors, suicide bereavement, suicide prevention, postvention, public health communication
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Data Collection, Family, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Parents, Suicide, Attempted, United States, Survivors, Spouses, Siblings, Young Adult
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