Suicide and trauma
Psychological trauma increases risk of suicide and affects families.
Suicide and trauma describes the link between experiencing psychological trauma and a heightened risk of dying by suicide. Psychological trauma typically arises when someone faces stress so overwhelming that they cannot cope, which then interferes with their ability to process the event. Over recent decades, the definition of trauma has broadened to include the sudden or unexpected death of a loved one—such as a suicide—and now places more weight on how the individual perceives the event rather than on its objective characteristics.
- field
- Psychology and public health
- known_for
- Increased risk of suicide following psychological trauma
- related_concepts
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide risk factors, family impact
Lore & Background
The connection between suicide and trauma is rooted in the understanding that exposure to traumatic events, including the suicide of a close other, can lead to negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Research has shown that only a small percentage of those exposed to trauma develop full PTSD, but the link between trauma and subsequent suicide risk is well documented. Suicide itself can be experienced as traumatic, affecting broader social networks including family, friends, and community.
Reader's Guide
The significance of the suicide and trauma relationship lies in its implications for prevention and intervention. Exposure to suicide increases risk for mental illness and subsequent suicides, making identification of at-risk groups a priority. Prevention efforts focus on monitoring impulsivity, hopelessness, and access to means, as well as detection and management of mental illness. Within families, suicide by a spouse or child is associated with greater risk for depression, PTSD, self-harm, and suicide in surviving members. Researchers suggest improving family functioning and responsiveness to suicide-related stressors, and advocating for mental health care. The nature of the relationship between the deceased and the survivor is associated with adverse mental and social health outcomes.
Did You Know?
- Suicide ranks as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.
- Exposure to suicide increases risk for mental illness and subsequent suicides.
- Children of parents who have attempted suicide are at six times greater risk of attempting themselves.
- Definitions of trauma have expanded to include the sudden or unexpected death of a close other, such as suicide.
More in Traumatology 1-24
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