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Clinical Challenges Following An Adolescent’s Death By Suicide: Bereavement Issues Faced By Family, Friends, Schools, And Clinicians

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Abstract

Given the increasing prevalence of adolescent deaths by suicide, social workers are increasingly likely to be called upon to respond to traumatically bereaved families, peers, and possibly professional colleagues following an adolescent’s death by suicide. The authors discuss current trends in adolescent suicide. A stress diathesis model is applied to considering risk factors and their clinical implications following an adolescent’s death by suicide. Using a case scenario, the authors discuss clinical issues of complex bereavement following suicide, along with some suggestions for effective clinical follow-up with surviving families, peers, and professionals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, England

    Margarete Parrish M.S.W., Ph.D., L.C.S.W.-C.

  2. Pastoral Counseling Center, Grace Methodist Church, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Judy Tunkle M.Ed., L.C.P.C.

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  1. Margarete Parrish M.S.W., Ph.D., L.C.S.W.-C.
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  2. Judy Tunkle M.Ed., L.C.P.C.
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Correspondence to Margarete Parrish M.S.W., Ph.D., L.C.S.W.-C..

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Parrish, M., Tunkle, J. Clinical Challenges Following An Adolescent’s Death By Suicide: Bereavement Issues Faced By Family, Friends, Schools, And Clinicians. Clin Soc Work J 33, 81–102 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-005-2621-5

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