‘You Just Wear a Mask’: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study to Explore the Impacts of Bereavement by Suicide Among Peer Support Group Members

OBJECTIVE: Suicide is widely acknowledged as a pervasive global public health issue. Support for those bereaved by suicide (postvention) is a neglected area of research. Suicide loss survivors struggle with guilt, stigma, and a drive to comprehend. This study aimed to assess the ramifications of bereavement by suicide within a cohort of peer-support group members. METHOD: Data were collected using in-depth face-to-face and online semi-structured interviews. Audio-recordings of the interviews were transcribed and analyzed via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Eight people, recruited from a UK Peer Support Group, participated. FINDINGS: Five Group Experiential Themes emerged: (1) "Never going to live a normal life"; (2) "You just wear a mask"; (3) "I'm conflicted"; (4) "I just want change"; (5) "Everyone in the room understood." Findings provide insights into the mindset of a cross-section of those bereaved by suicide and the all-encompassing, pervasive, life-shattering consequences of becoming a suicide loss survivor. These include the duality of their inner torment and public persona, perpetual possession of conflicting thoughts and perspectives, and alienation. CONCLUSIONS: A unique level of comprehension as to the power of peer-support groups is also outlined. Implications for practice include the signposting of postvention services requiring enhancement and the vital role played by peer-support groups in assisting those impacted.