”Vi måste våga prata om det” En studie av hur anhöriga upplever efterlevandestödet vid suicid

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to examine the support extended to friends and families of persons who have committed suicide. The study is based on nine qualitative interviews with bereaved friends and relatives. Based on Cullberg's theory of crisis and Dyregrov's theory of coping strategies, we analyzed the interviews where families described the support services they received. The study shows that relatives who experienced suicide get most of their support from friends and family. The majority of the relatives described a lack of support from professionals. Several of the relatives consider outreach services from professionals would be the best support to give in a situation where a person has committed suicide. The relatives described different coping strategies that they used trying to cope with their loss. The majority of the interviewees would prefer a different response from family and society as a whole, both regarding the act of suicide and an open discussion thereof.