Advanced Countries Also Emphasize the 'Golden Time' in Supporting Suicide-Bereaved Families [Left Behind]②

US: Customized Infrastructure for Healthcare Professionals, Funeral Directors, and Clergy
UK: Informational Booklet Sent Within a Week Even If Services Are Refused
Japan: Comprehensive Care Addressing All Aspects of Life

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the suicide of a single individual has a serious impact on at least five to ten bereaved family members. In advanced countries, the suffering of suicide-bereaved families is defined not as a matter of personal misfortune, but as a social 'disaster,' and systematic support systems are operated at the national level.

One-Stop Service for Suicide Bereaved Families. Korea Life Respect and Hope Foundation

According to research on support measures for suicide-bereaved families released on December 27, the United States refers to suicide-bereaved families as "suicide survivors" and considers support for them as a core pillar of the national suicide prevention strategy. The "Responding to Grief, Trauma, and Distress After a Suicide: National Guidelines" serves as a compass for operating an effective postvention system within public health services. Key strategies include: ▲ a "universal strategy" to reduce prejudice against bereaved families and strengthen their capacity across the entire population, ▲ a "selective strategy" that provides immediate preventive services to those exposed to suicide scenes and at risk, ▲ an "indicated strategy" offering professional treatment to families already experiencing negative outcomes, and ▲ a "research and evaluation system" that verifies the effectiveness of all these interventions. These components operate organically.

Particularly, the framework encompasses the media and entertainment industries, providing guidelines for delivering safe messages to prevent negative impacts on bereaved families. In addition, customized training is provided not only to healthcare professionals but also to all occupations that come into contact with bereaved families, such as funeral directors and clergy, establishing an infrastructure that enables society as a whole to embrace these families.

The United Kingdom goes beyond central government declarations by providing concrete manuals that enable local communities to take practical action. The "Postvention Support: Guide to Developing and Delivering Local Bereavement Support Services After Suicide" systematizes the process from planning to implementation and evaluation into ten steps. This process begins with understanding local suicide statistics and circumstances, activating the participation of stakeholders such as police and coroners, and moves on to the stage of setting specific goals.

The core of the UK model is a clear service entry pathway. After police or coroners examine a suspected suicide death, they contact the bereaved family within 48 hours to confirm their consent for support services. If consent is given, the family is connected to relevant agencies within 24 hours, establishing a rapid response system. Even for families who refuse services, an informational booklet called "Help is at Hand" is sent by mail within seven days, ensuring that families always have access to support information when needed. This approach is a meticulous consideration focused entirely on the needs of bereaved families, not administrative convenience.

Australia focuses on addressing the lack of information experienced by bereaved families through its "Postvention Guidelines." Recognizing that bereaved families need more than simple consolation-such as practical information, emotional support from first responders, and peer support-the country presents comprehensive intervention measures. The core of Australia’s support system is the "No Wrong Door" approach, which ensures that bereaved families can access appropriate services regardless of which agency-police, hospital, school, or community center-they approach for help. A strong network among all service providers is built to prevent bereaved families from getting lost in complicated administrative procedures. The support is divided into four stages: information provision, support services, counseling, and psychotherapy, emphasizing tailored interventions according to the psychological state and crisis level of the bereaved.

Japan, after experiencing a sharp increase in suicides in 1998, recognized a national crisis and established a legal foundation. The "Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures," enacted in 2006, stipulates that national and local governments must provide appropriate support to alleviate the severe psychological impact on relatives of suicide victims, making support for bereaved families a national responsibility. Support is defined as comprehensive care, not limited to medical or psychological assistance, because bereaved families face complex social issues such as psychological distress, financial hardship due to the loss of a breadwinner, inherited debts, and legal disputes. The guidelines provide all-encompassing support, including strengthening counseling and medical systems, ensuring that support information is available through every contact point with bereaved families to prevent isolation, and training professionals to run self-help groups.

Experts unanimously agree that there must be a shift to proactive national intervention. Chun Jung-hwan, Professor of Korean Language and Literature at Sungkyunkwan University, stated, "Support for bereaved families must be approached from the perspective of 'long-term management.' Institutions should actively intervene from the very beginning, such as during the police investigation stage after death, to help resolve not only psychological issues but also the complex problems faced by bereaved families. There is an urgent need to reassess the personnel and budget required to support this." Seol Dong-hoon, Professor of Sociology at Jeonbuk National University, emphasized, "Suicide-bereaved families are easily neglected due to extreme suffering and social stigma. It is necessary to segment the target groups-such as families who have lost a breadwinner or a child-and provide customized support accordingly."

If you are struggling with depression or other difficult concerns, or if you know a family member or acquaintance facing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling through the suicide prevention hotline at ☎ 109 or the suicide prevention SNS counseling service 'Madeleine.'