Surviving Suicide: Emotional Reconstruction of the Bereaved

Abstract

Objectives: Suicide is a stigmatized and marginalized act by society that damages the lives of those close to the suicidal person and makes rebuilding their lives difficult. In understanding the social reality after suicide, emotions that are components of social action play a key role. This study’s main aim is to understand the emotions of those close to the suicidal person and the cultural roots of these emotions. Materials and Methods: To obtain the necessary data, in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 individuals who were close to someone who had committed suicide, and the data were analyzed using discourse analysis. Results: The following results were obtained: Anger was the most prominent emotion in those close to the suicidal person. This anger was directed toward actors who were indifferent to the problems that led to suicide and toward the individual who committed suicide. Those close to the suicidal person were in a state of anger, shame, fear, guilt, and fear of being blamed due to social stigma and marginalization. The most significant feature of those close to the deceased is the emotional disturbances resulting from the coexistence of opposing emotions. Conclusions: Making periodic programs for the treatment of relatives of people who committed suicide and spreading a functional education program to all stages of education to raise individuals sensitive to human rights are among the urgent measures that the state of social law can take.