Missing voices - suicide bereavement of rural Australian young people

Abstract

In Australia suicide accounts for over 25% of all deaths in young people with a disproportionate number dying in rural areas. Suicide bereavement can bring with it complex grief and greater risk of mental health issues. There is however limited published research about the suicide bereavement experience of young people who lose a friend to suicide but their missing voices are integral to guide interventions. This study aimed to determine the extent of grief and risk of mental health issues for young people including how rural communities can mediate or exacerbate risk and what helps or hinders bereavement. A mixed method design targeted 18 rural young people aged 12-24 years who had experienced the suicide death of a friend. Participants completed standardised questionnaires to assess coping, depression, anxiety, prolonged grief, suicide stigma and post-traumatic growth.