Experiences of suicide bereavement: A qualitative study exploring the role of the GP
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health issue. GPs are often on the front line in responding to a suicide. They are called on to support individuals and families in the aftermath of suicide yet there is a dearth of research, particularly from patients' perspectives, on how to provide optimal care for those grieving a suicide in the primary care setting. AIM: To improve GP management of suicide bereavement by exploring the lived experiences of affected individuals, focusing on the GP's involvement in the grief process. DESIGN AND SETTING: A qualitative approach was adopted using focus group interviews with individuals from suicide bereavement support groups at three locations across Ireland. METHOD: Support groups were contacted by letter. Fifteen interested participants formed three focus groups. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcripts were analysed thematically using the framework method. RESULTS: Three major themes dominated: the need for acknowledgement - of the loss and of the lived life of the deceased; the role of stigma in the aftermath of the loss; and the need for proactive provision of direction and support during the grief journey. The GP was identified as ideally positioned in the community to cater for the needs of the bereaved. CONCLUSION: Suicide can result in prolonged, complex grief generating specific patient needs. Stigma may function as a barrier to help seeking. The GP should consider initiating contact with the bereaved. Recommendations have been made to support GPs in their care of the suicide bereaved.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This qualitative focus-group study explored suicide-bereaved individuals’ experiences of GP care in Ireland and identified three major themes: need for acknowledgement, stigma as a barrier to help seeking, and need for proactive GP direction and support. Participants viewed GPs as ideally positioned to provide postvention, recommending proactive contact, active listening, appropriate prescribing, and signposting to support services.
Key findings
- Three focus groups were conducted with 15 participants, five per group, in Donegal, Dublin, and Waterford; all were relatives of individuals lost to suicide, with suicides occurring between 1980 and 2011.
- Three major themes dominated: acknowledgement of the loss and of the deceased’s lived life; stigma in the aftermath of loss, especially in rural contexts, contributing to social withdrawal, self-isolation, shame, and barriers to attending the GP; and the need for the GP to provide direction and support.
- Participants wanted the GP to initiate contact rather than leave responsibility with the bereaved, valued being listened to without solutions, feared medication or “medicalising” grief, and wanted continuity of care and signposting to local voluntary and professional services.
- Recommendations included using “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide,” acknowledging the loss and naming the deceased, tagging notes and noting anniversaries/birthdays, allowing quiet appointments or house calls, assessing mental health, and being proactive.
Methods
- Qualitative study using semi-structured focus group interviews with adults bereaved by suicide, recruited through Console and Living Links bereavement support groups; individuals bereaved within the past year and children aged <18 years were excluded.
- Three focus groups were held in Donegal, Dublin, and Waterford; 15 interested participants formed the groups, each with five participants, and sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed.
- Thematic analysis used the framework method: researchers independently read transcripts, developed a thematic framework, charted data under theme headings, and compared themes within and between focus groups.
Limitations
- Stated: the study is small; all participants were people who sought help through bereavement groups, so the experiences of those who never come to formal supports were not captured; participants were not categorised by demographic data; females outnumbered males, and further work is needed on male survivors of suicide.
- Stated: groups were deliberately composed of participants known to one another to facilitate discussion on sensitive topics, and in the Donegal group two participants had experiences of the same suicides; the authors note that thematic concordance across groups suggests similar themes could emerge from a larger study.
- Evident: self-selection through bereavement support groups and retrospective accounts spanning suicides from 1980 to 2011 may limit generalisability; the focus-group format may also encourage conformity, although the authors report strong agreement within groups and consistency between groups.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 27 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingown data
Across all interviews, participants consistently and emphatically expressed a need to acknowledge the suicide.
“The need to acknowledge the suicide was consistent and emphatically addressed across all interviews.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Two participants in separate groups said that GP use of the term 'committed suicide' increased stigma because they associated 'committed' with crime.
“Two participants in separate focus groups commented that the sense of stigma was amplified by the GP's use of the term 'committed suicide' as they associated the word 'committed' with a crime.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Most participants perceived stigma surrounding suicide.
“Stigma surrounding suicide was perceived by most participants.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Participants felt relief and validation when GPs, friends, or colleagues acknowledged their loss.
“Participants shared their relief and sense of validation when they received acknowledgement from GPs, friends, and colleagues alike.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants highlighted that acknowledgement needed to continue throughout life.
“The need for continual acknowledgement throughout life was highlighted.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Findingown data
All participants found their support group by word of mouth after a long delay.
“All participants found their support group by word of mouth after a long delay”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants identified stigma, numbness, and grief complexity as factors limiting their ability to identify whom to approach for help.
“Participants identified feeling that stigma, numbness, and the complexity of their grief functioned as limiting factors in allowing them to identify whom to approach for help.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Concern about over-prescribing medication was a strong recurring theme.
“A recurring theme of concern around over-prescribing of medication emerged strongly in this study.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Many participants were reluctant to attend their GP about grief because they feared medicalising it.
“Many participants were reluctant to attend their GP about their grief for fear of 'medicalising' it.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants believed it was important to acknowledge the deceased's lived life so that the person was not defined by how they died.
“Participants also felt strongly that it was important to acknowledge the lived life of the deceased to avoid defining the individual by the way in which they died.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Participants stressed that listening, even without offering solutions, was healing.
“Participants stressed that the very process of listening, even without the provision of solutions, was healing.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants from rural backgrounds particularly emphasised stigma.
“It was emphasised, in particular, by participants from a rural background.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation
Participants' grief responses matched complex grief patterns reported in the international literature.
“The grief responses expressed by the participants were reflective of complex grief patterns reported in the international literature.3,5,9”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Findingown data
Participants valued the GP initiating contact with them after their loss.
“Participants really valued the GP initiating contact with them in the aftermath of their loss, a finding echoed by a study in the US by Van Dongen.23”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [23] Van Dongen, 1991, Experiences of family members after a suicide, J Fam Pract
Not checked in the free run.
- Findingown data
All participants agreed that a proactive approach from a GP would be appreciated.
“All participants agreed that a proactive approach from a GP would be appreciated.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants reached consensus that the GP should initiate contact rather than leave that responsibility to the bereaved person.
“There was a consensus that the GP should be the first to get in touch rather than leaving the responsibility for contact with the bereaved.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants reported that shame prevented them from attending their GP.
“Participants reported feeling unable to attend their GP because of a sense of shame.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Much of the stigma discussion concerned participants finding it hard that neighbours and colleagues knew the exact nature of their loved one's death.
“Much of the discussion around stigma focused on the fact that participants found it hard knowing that neighbours and colleagues were aware of the exact nature of their loved one's death.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Stigma was emphasised more in the Donegal and Waterford discussions.
“There was greater emphasis on the role of stigma in the Donegal and Waterford discussions.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Participants felt that attending their GP might mean having to comply with a medication-based therapeutic strategy.
“However, they felt that attending their GP may mean they would have to comply with a medication-based therapeutic strategy.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The therapeutic value of being listened to was a recurrent theme.
“The therapeutic value of being listened to emerged as a recurrent theme.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Many participants strongly did not want to be medicated through their grief.
“It was strongly emphasised by many participants that they did not want to be medicated through their grief.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Participants preferred the phrase 'died by suicide'.
“A preference for use of the phrase 'died by suicide' was identified.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
Group members perceived prejudice from people in their community.
“Group members perceived prejudice from members of their community.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
The GP was identified as ideally positioned in the community to meet the needs of bereaved people.
“The GP was identified as ideally positioned in the community to cater for the needs of the bereaved.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Despite the small sample, thematic concordance across groups suggests that similar themes could emerge in a larger study.
“Although the study is small, thematic concordance across the groups suggests that similar themes could emerge from a larger study.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Suicide bereavement may involve a mourning process markedly different from natural loss.
“Suicide bereavement may produce a markedly different mourning process from natural loss.5”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [5] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationown data
Suicide can lead to prolonged, complex grief that creates specific patient needs.
“Suicide can result in prolonged, complex grief generating specific patient needs.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Evidence for the efficacy of suicide bereavement support groups is lacking.
“Evidence for the efficacy of suicide bereavement support groups is lacking 21”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [21] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
Effective postvention can contribute to suicide prevention among survivors.
“Effective postvention can be viewed as contributing towards suicide prevention in suicide survivors of suicide 15”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [15] source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationown data
Stigma may act as a barrier to seeking help.
“Stigma may function as a barrier to help seeking.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- May combine two claims. 27
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 16
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataDonegal and Waterford participants mostly represented smaller rural communities, while Dublin participants were all from urban communities.
“It emerged during the discussions that participants in these groups predominantly represented experiences within smaller rural communities.Participants in Dublin were all from urban communities.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataStigma was a barrier to seeking help, and shame created practical barriers to attending the GP.
“Stigma posed a barrier to help seeking and participants reported that feelings of shame created practical barriers to attending the GP.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Findingown dataParticipants felt that GPs, because of their community role, are well placed to care for the bereaved and direct them to local support.
“There was a strong sense that GPs, due to their pivotal role within the community, are well placed to care for the bereaved and to point them towards additional sources of support in the locality.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataGP acknowledgement of a suicide was seen as an opportunity to explore the consequences of loss and to meet the need to be listened to.
“The physician's acknowledgement of a suicide was identified as an opportunity to explore the consequences of loss and to fulfil the need to be listened to.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataParticipants saw the GP as suitable for a signposting role and saw great potential for a proactive GP approach after a suicide loss.
“Participants recognised the suitability of the GP to fulfil this signposting role and identified the huge potential for a proactive approach from the GP following loss by suicide.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataOnly one of the four male participants sought professional help, whereas all female participants engaged with professional help.
“it was noted that only one of the four males in the study sought professional assistance to cope with his loss whereas all females in the study engaged with professional help.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataAlthough participants valued bereavement groups and other non-medical resources, they wanted to keep the GP as a continuing source of support.
“Although all participants reflected on the positive role their bereavement group and other non-medical resources played in their grief journeys, they emphasised their desire to retain the GP as a continuing source of support in their healing process.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingcitationStigma was identified as a defining element of the bereavement process, echoing previous literature.
“The experience of stigma was identified as a defining element of the bereavement process, echoing previous reports of suicide bereavement in the literature.3,12,13”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites [3] Young, 2012, Suicide bereavement and complicated grief, Dialogues Clin Neurosci source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [12] Barney, 2006, Stigma about depression and its impact on help-seeking intentions, Aust N Z J Psychiatry source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [13] source
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Findingown dataGroups agreed that a house call or a quiet appointment could be appropriate to reduce distress.
“There was agreement across the groups that, in these cases, a house-call or an arrangement to attend the surgery at a quiet time, such as the first appointment of the day, may be appropriate to alleviate distress.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe analysis yielded three main themes: acknowledgement, stigma, and the need for proactive direction and support from the GP.
“Three major themes dominated: the need for acknowledgement -of the loss and of the lived life of the deceased; the role of stigma in the aftermath of the loss; and the need for proactive provision of direction and support during the grief journey.”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“The major themes identified in the interviews are set out in Box 1.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingown dataStigma was discussed extensively in every focus group.
“This was discussed extensively across all focus groups.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Findingown dataAll groups insisted that GPs were too eager to prescribe medication.
“There was an insistence in all groups that GPs were thought to be too eager to medicate.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataParticipants wanted to talk and feared receiving a prescription instead.
“They wanted to talk and were fearful of receiving a prescription instead.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataParticipants felt self-conscious about sitting in a GP waiting room, and many did not attend for that reason.
“They reported feeling self-conscious at the idea of sitting in a doctor's waiting room and many opted not to attend for that reason.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe study identified specific care needs among suicide survivors and helped define the GP's role in suicide bereavement through focus groups.
“This study identified specific care needs in survivors of suicide and helped to define the role of the GP in suicide bereavement through use of the focus group technique.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: There is a lack of research on the GP's role in caring for people bereaved by suicide.
- Rests on an assumption: There is a lack of research, especially from patients' perspectives, on optimal primary care for people grieving a suicide.
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataPerceived community prejudice contributed to social withdrawal, self-isolation, and difficulty accessing care.
“This contributed to social withdrawal, self-isolation, and inability to access care.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataStrong agreement within groups and consistency between groups on major themes indicated that fundamental care needs are shared among suicide survivors.
“There was strong agreement within groups and consistency between groups on major themes, indicating that the fundamental care needs of survivors of suicide are shared.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataMany participants attended their GP for physical health or administrative reasons after their loss and saw this as an opportunity for holistic support and direction.
“Many participants reported attending their GP for a review of their physical health or for administrative purposes such as the provision of sick certificates after their loss, and they felt this interaction provided the GP with an opportunity to introduce holistic support and direction.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataParticipants reported anger, guilt, shame, remorse, and persistent uncertainty about why their loved one died by suicide.
“Participants reported feelings of anger, guilt, shame, remorse, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty about why their loved one died by suicide.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
FindingcitationFemales outnumbered males in the study, consistent with a general overrepresentation of females in the suicide bereavement literature.
“In keeping with a general overrepresentation of females in the literature on suicide bereavement, 19 females outnumbered males in this study”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [19] Maple, 2014, Uncovering and identifying the missing voices in suicide bereavement, Suicidol Online
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningThe geographic spread of the focus groups allowed exploration of varied experiences and both urban and rural perspectives.
“The geographical spread of the focus groups facilitated exploration of an array of experiences relating to different suicide cases and allowed the authors to capture experiences of bereavement from both urban and rural perspectives.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationGroups were deliberately made up of people who knew one another because naturally occurring groups are accepted as best for discussing sensitive topics.
“The groups were deliberately designed to contain participants who were known to one another because it is accepted that the formation of naturally occurring groups is generally best to facilitate discussion on sensitive topics.17,18”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [17] Bryman A (2012) Social research methods (Oxford University Press, New York, NY), 4th edn.
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [18] source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationAt least six people are deeply affected by each suicide.
“It has been suggested that a minimum of six individuals are deeply affected by every suicide.1,2”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [1] Shneidman ES (1969) On the nature of suicide (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA).
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [2] Knieper, 1999, The suicide survivor’s grief and recovery, Suicide Life Threat Behav source
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationSuicide postvention is a form of prevention for the future.
“suicide postvention is a form of prevention for the future.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [15] source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductown dataThe study did not categorise participants by demographic data.
“The study did not categorise participants according to demographic data and further studies are required to allow for focus on particular patient subgroups.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataThe findings point to a need for better integration of voluntary and professional services and for a professional to guide survivors to care resources at the right time.
“exposing the need for increased integration of voluntary and professional services, and the need for a professional individual to guide survivors of suicide towards additional care resources at the appropriate time.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationAll participants had sought help through bereavement groups, so the study did not capture the experiences of people who never reach formal supports.
“A significant limitation, repeated across the literature on suicide bereavement, 19 is the fact that all participants were people who sought help through their bereavement groups and the study did not capture the experiences of those who may never come to the attention of any formal supports.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [19] Maple, 2014, Uncovering and identifying the missing voices in suicide bereavement, Suicidol Online
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationStigma amplifies the grief of suicide survivors and strongly affects social interactions and help-seeking.
“The grief of survivors of suicide is also amplified by stigma, which has a profound impact on social interactions and help-seeking behaviour.3,12,13”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites [3] Young, 2012, Suicide bereavement and complicated grief, Dialogues Clin Neurosci source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [12] Barney, 2006, Stigma about depression and its impact on help-seeking intentions, Aust N Z J Psychiatry source
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [13] source
Not checked in the free run.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
PremisecitationThe literature indicates a need for a unique, proactive approach to supporting and assessing the psychological wellbeing of suicide survivors.
“The current literature points to a need to develop a unique, proactive approach to the provision of support and assessment of the psychological wellbeing of survivors of suicide.2,9”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataResearchers read the transcripts individually and independently devised a thematic framework.
“Researchers read the transcripts of the audiomaterial individually and devised a thematic framework independently of one another by highlighting emerging recurrent ideas.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataParticipants encouraged one another and all discussions ran over time, suggesting they felt free to discuss matters of genuine importance.
“The participants in all groups encouraged one another to partake in discussion and all three discussions ran over time, suggesting that the participants felt free to discuss matters of genuine importance to them.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisereasoningGPs can have early direct contact with bereaved people and therefore have an important role in suicide postvention.
“GPs have the potential for early direct contact with the bereaved and thus have an important role to play in suicide postvention.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataFocus groups were held in three Irish locations to reduce geographic bias and capture varied perspectives on GPs and support services.
“The focus groups were conducted at three locations across Ireland (Donegal, Dublin, and Waterford) to reduce geographical bias and to capture an array of perspectives relating to different GPs and support services.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenThe study did not aim to identify differences between males and females in patterns of help seeking.
“The study did not seek to identify differences in patterns of help seeking between males and females”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
PremisereasoningGPs' position in the healthcare system and community, together with their knowledge of patients and families, makes them well placed to support suicide survivors and navigate grief-related problems.
“GPs, through their unique position in the healthcare system and in the community, with extensive knowledge of individual patients and families, are well positioned to support survivors of suicide and navigate problems associated with the grief process.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationDunn and colleagues noted a possible difference between survivors' belief that they are stigmatised and actually being stigmatised.
“Dunn and colleagues 10 observed that there may also be a difference in the way in which survivors of suicide believe they are stigmatised versus actually being the object of stigma.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [10] Dunn, 1988, The psychological and social experience of suicide survivors, Omega-J Death Dying source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationPeople bereaved by suicide have a higher risk of major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behaviour.
“Individuals bereaved by suicide have a higher risk of developing major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behaviour.3,4”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenBroader themes were decided after discussion among the researchers.
“Broader themes were determined following discussion between the researchers.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationSuicide bereavement is a risk factor for complicated mourning, described as prolonged unresolved grief that often interferes with functioning.
“It is a risk factor for development of complicated mourning, described as prolonged, unresolved grief often interfering with functioning.8,9”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites [8] Rando TA (1993) Treatment of complicated mourning (Research Press, Champaign, IL).
Not checked in the free run.
- cites [9] source
Not checked in the free run.
The paper relies on this without support.
There is a lack of research on the GP's role in caring for people bereaved by suicide.
“However, there is a paucity of research on the role of the GP in caring for survivors of suicide.”
The paper relies on this without support.
There is a lack of research, especially from patients' perspectives, on optimal primary care for people grieving a suicide.
“there is a dearth of research, particularly from patients' perspectives, on how to provide optimal care for those grieving a suicide in the primary care setting.”
The paper relies on this without support.
This study is the first in Ireland to explore suicide survivors' experiences using focus group interviews.
“To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first in Ireland to explore the experiences of survivors of suicide using focus group interviews.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The care needs found among bereaved people who attended support groups apply to suicide-bereaved patients more broadly.
“A significant limitation, repeated across the literature on suicide bereavement, 19 is the fact that all participants were people who sought help through their bereavement groups and the study did not capture the experiences of those who may never come to the attention of any formal supports.”
The paper relies on this without support.
GPs are often the first point of professional contact in responding to a suicide.
“GPs are often on the front line in responding to a suicide.”
The paper relies on this without support.
GPs are expected to support individuals and families after a suicide.
“They are called on to support individuals and families in the aftermath of suicide”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
General practitioners report a lack of training and confidence in how to respond after suicide, despite bereaved people viewing their GP as a key source of support.
“For their own part, general practitioners (GP) report a lack of training and confidence in how to respond after suicide, despite bereaved people viewing their GP as a key source of support [23,24].”
From Support Needs and Experiences of People Bereaved by Suicide: Qualitative Findings from a Cross-Sectional British Study of Bereaved Young Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [23]
The ‘Need for the GP to provide direction and support’ section reports that bereaved participants saw GPs as well placed to offer care and direct them to further support. The study interviewed bereaved people, not GPs; its statement that little research supports GPs in this role does not establish that GPs themselves reported a lack of training or confidence. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThis Irish work also made clear links between stigma and the recent decriminalisation of suicide, and between stigma and reluctance to seek help; dimensions not apparent in our dataset.
“This Irish work also made clear links between stigma and the recent decriminalisation of suicide (Gaffney and Hannigan, 2010), and between stigma and reluctance to seek help (Nic an Fhaili et al., 2016); dimensions not apparent in our dataset.”
From The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study (2018) · cites this paper as Nic an Fhaili et al., 2016
Our findings are comparable to three Irish qualitative studies with suicide-bereaved adults, which describe experiences of social isolation, social awkwardness, and perceived prejudice.
“Our findings are comparable to those of three Irish qualitative studies with suicide-bereaved adults, which describe experiences of social isolation (Gaffney and Hannigan, 2010), social awkwardness (Begley and Quayle, 2007), and perceived prejudice (Nic an Fhaili et al., 2016).”
From The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study (2018) · cites this paper as Nic an Fhaili et al., 2016
The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet
References 23 · Cited by 30
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Cleiren M Diekstra R (1995) in The impact of suicide, After the loss: bereavement after suicide and other types of death, ed Mishara B (Springer, New York, NY), pp 7–39.
- Authors
- Fhailí, M. N. A., Flynn, N., & Dowling, S.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital Waterford (IE)
- ORCID
- Dowling, Stephanie
- Venue
- British Journal of General Practice
- Published
- 2016-01-28
- Volume
- 66
- Issue
- 643
- Pages
- e92-e98
- ISSN
- 0960-1643 (ISSN-L)
- 1478-5242
- PMC
- PMC4723220
- OpenAlex
- W2295661766
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 4.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal of General Practice (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Irish College of General Practitioners
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
- Keywords
- suicide bereavement, grief after suicide, general practitioners, primary care, complicated grief, stigma, help-seeking, grief support groups, patient experience, bereaved families
- MeSH terms
- Suicide Prevention, Adult, Bereavement, Family, Female, Humans, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self-Help Groups, Suicide, Qualitative Research, Social Stigma, General Practice
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Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
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