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Ethnic Minority Groups’ Experiences of Suicide Bereavement: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Pauline Rivart

    (The Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Verity Wainwright

    (The Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Sandra Flynn

    (The Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Isabelle M. Hunt

    (The Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

  • Jenny Shaw

    (The Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
    Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M25 3BL, UK
    Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody, London SW1H 9AJ, UK)

  • Shirley Smith

    (If U Care Share Foundation, Chester-le-Street, Chester DH2 2EY, UK
    Support After Suicide Partnership, London SE1 7NQ, UK)

  • Barry McGale

    (Support After Suicide Partnership, London SE1 7NQ, UK
    Suicide Bereavement UK, Ramsbottom BL0 9EX, UK)

  • Sharon McDonnell

    (The Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
    Suicide Bereavement UK, Ramsbottom BL0 9EX, UK)

Abstract

It is estimated that between 36,000 and 360,000 people are affected by suicide every year in the UK, and a proportion may develop depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, or engage in high-risk behaviours. Recent systematic analyses have revealed a clear gap in research on suicide bereavement in minority ethnic groups. This study aimed to understand the experiences and support needs of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds bereaved by suicide and was the first in the UK to investigate this matter. The study was a secondary analysis of data. Participants were 7158 people residing in the UK who completed an online survey about their experiences of suicide. Free-text qualitative responses of 227 participants who did not identify as White British were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: maladaptive coping strategies, emotional processes following suicide, lack of support from agencies, and the importance of mental health awareness. Ethnic minority groups reported a lack of support despite attempts to engage with services, noted the prevalence of stigma within ethnic minority groups, and expressed a need to tackle this. These preliminary results suggest that ethnic minority individuals require visible and accessible services that can successfully engage with and support them.

Suggested Citation

  • Pauline Rivart & Verity Wainwright & Sandra Flynn & Isabelle M. Hunt & Jenny Shaw & Shirley Smith & Barry McGale & Sharon McDonnell, 2021. "Ethnic Minority Groups’ Experiences of Suicide Bereavement: A Qualitative Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11860-:d:677399
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pitman, Alexandra L. & Stevenson, Fiona & Osborn, David P.J. & King, Michael B., 2018. "The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 121-129.
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    1. Silje L. Kaspersen & Jorid Kalseth & Kim Stene-Larsen & Anne Reneflot, 2022. "Use of Health Services and Support Resources by Immediate Family Members Bereaved by Suicide: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-28, August.
    2. Yossi Levi-Belz & Karolina Krysinska & Karl Andriessen, 2023. "What Do We Know about Suicide Bereavement, and What We Can Do to Help Suicide-Loss Survivors?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-5, April.
    3. Diane Macdonald & Alexandra Nicolopoulos & Kathryn McLachlan & Stephanie Habak & Helen Christensen & Katherine M. Boydell, 2022. "Tragedies, Fates, Furies and Fuels: Narratives of Individuals Bereaved by Suicide," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-11, July.

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