*Highly Commended in the Health and Social Care category at the 2012 British Medical Association Book Awards* Those left behind in the wake of suicide are often plagued by unanswered questions and feelings of guilt. Helping them to understand why the suicide happened, how suicide survivors commonly react and cope, and where they can find support can help them move forwards on their path from grief to recovery. Drawing on the testimonies of suicide survivors and research into suicide bereavement, this book provides those working with the bereaved with the knowledge and guidance they need. It covers common grief and crisis reactions, including those specific to children and young people, how suicide bereavement differs from other forms of bereavement, and how others have coped and been supported. It also addresses how the bereaved can move on, including advice on support networks including friends, family, professionals and other bereaved people. This book will be invaluable to all those supporting those who have been bereaved by suicide, including counsellors, bereavement support workers, social workers, and psychologists.

Effective Grief and Bereavement Support shows how social networks, whether they be friends, colleagues or family, can provide an important source of support following sudden bereavement. Individuals in social networks surrounding bereaved people often feel very uncertain about how best to offer support following the death of someone close. As a result of this, people often find that their relationships with friends and family suffer in the wake of bereavement. Kari and Atle Dyregrov provide concrete, evidence-based advice about how support processes can be improved. Issues covered include common reactions to grief, problems that can arise within families as a result, when to involve professional assistance, how to help bereaved children, and the main principles for effective network support. This book will be essential reading for counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, priests, police, community doctors, hospital staff and teachers, as well bereaved families and those who support them.