For each of the suicide deaths in Scotland (with 792 probable suicides registered in the last year), many are left behind grieving the loss and navigating the challenges of this complex experience. In recent years, there has been increased interest in postvention, which refers to the support for individuals and communities following a suicide death. Yet, questions remain about the best way to support these individuals, given the complexities around coping with such loss. This is particularly the case for adolescents, who may be particularly vulnerable at a time of significant psychological, social, and developmental changes.

In their recent book chapter, published in the Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Losses in Contemporary Contexts [1], Laura del Carpio, Sally Paul, and Susan Rasmussen of the Centre for Health Policy explore suicide bereavement experiences and postvention approaches for young people in Scotland and globally. Drawing from their own research, they explore how different types of losses affect youth. They discuss the perceived barriers to and needs for support among this age group, and go on to discuss the current policy context and practice initiatives around suicide bereavement support. Programmes within schools, higher education, and third sector organisations, as well as relevant publications are reviewed, with an aim to provide an overview of the state of postvention in Scotland. Given that adolescents are an often-overlooked group in conversations surrounding loss and bereavement, the chapter highlights the importance of incorporating the voices of children and young people into these discussions. This is critical for providing timely and effective support to those who need it.

The chapter is available as an Open Access download.

Reference

[1] del Carpio, L., Paul, S., & Rasmussen, S. (2023). Suicide Bereavement and Postvention Approaches for Young People in Scotland. In C. Traher & L. J. Breen (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief in Contemporary Contexts (1^st ed.). Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003221692