Parents' Views of Their Child's Death by Suicide

Abstract

Families who have lost someone to suicide may have missed some significant clues. This is an exploratory study examining 53 parents who have lost a child to suicide. Only 15% were aware that their child was at risk for suicide and were alerted to the risk by their clinician. Forty-four percent had no clue at the time of their child's impending suicide and, in retrospect, were in denial, while the others had only a gut feeling or suspicion. A qualitative analysis of the parents' responses to an open-ended questionnaire suggests that parents need more knowledge about suicide, especially the cues and warning signs to look for in their children, and to be more open to warnings given to them by others.