“It’s a Living Experience”: Bereavement by Suicide in Later Life

Abstract

Bereavement by suicide for people in later life is significantly under-researched. Research on ageing and suicide has yet to address the experiences of those bereaved by suicide and how such a devastating loss affects the ageing experience. Objectives: We explored the substantive issues involved in bereavement by suicide and its impact on later life. Methods: This was a co-produced qualitative study. Peer researchers with lived experience conducted in-depth interviews with twenty-four people aged 60–92 years. A phenomenological approach informed the data analysis. Main Findings: Themes described included (1) moral injury and trauma; (2) the rippling effect on wider family and networks; (3) transitions and adaptations of bereaved people and how their ‘living experience’ impacted on ageing. Conclusions: It is important to understand how individual experiences of suicide intersect with ageing and the significance of targeted assessment and intervention for those bereaved by suicide in ageing policies and support.

Talking really does matter: Lay perspectives from older people on talking about suicide in later life

“…Further complexity involving ethical considerations may occur, for example, where there are advanced directives and/or mental capacity in death-hastening behavior (Wax et al, 2018 ; Trowse, 2020 ; Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2022b ). Wand et al ( 2018 ) suggested that self-neglect should be conceptualized as a defensive behavior that has maladaptive outcomes and can also be associated with attempts to regain control over personal freedom and/or living arrangements, or in response to threats to self-identity.…”

“…These self-perceptions were evident in the “throwaway” comments our participants referred to in their peer networks (e.g., “I'm ready to go now” or “my time is up”). Such statements highlight the further need for compassion and high-quality care that pays attention to the nuancing or tailoring of mainstream suicide prevention and mental health therapies for people in later life (Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2022a , b ). Validated screening tools used in suicidality with older people tend not to address these wider issues (Gleeson et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Internal and external influencing factors (e.g., trauma, stigma, and loss of autonomy) may result in fleeting non-specific thoughts with no significant (active) wish to die or reflect chronic yet passive suicidal thoughts that do not elevate risk of actual suicide. Further studies comparing bereavement experiences of those bereaved by suicide in later life with other traumatic bereavements and losses will also help understand the individual experiences and pathways within suicide research to help inform and enrich assessments and interventions in aging care (Hybholt et al, 2020 ; Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2022b ).…”

“…The protocol included training for two team members from an approved provider on “talking about suicide” (Scottish Association of Mental Health), which was then cascaded to the team. This training was used to inform the protocol on how to respond and follow up with any participants who expressed suicide ideation or who had expressed suicide loss (see also Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2022b ). A resource leaflet was developed signposting to organizations that provided support, and this was sent to all the participants by e-mail or post immediately after the interview.…”

“…Further qualitative research on age-related factors on the traumatic impact of suicide bereavement (Hybholt et al, 2020 ) has demonstrated the relationship between grief and the lack of motivation to carry on and adapt to the physical and psychological effects of growing older. These impacts are also known to trigger suicidal thoughts and/or the wish for the hastening of the end of life (Hafford-Letchfield et al, 2022b ).…”