The impact of suicidal deaths of children and adolescents among parents and mental health professionals: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Psychol Psychother. 2026 Mar 15. doi: 10.1111/papt.70045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Despite extensive literature on suicide prevention and experiences of bereaved individuals in the context of adult suicide, a significant gap remains in research examining the impact of suicidal deaths of children and adolescents. This systematic review aims to understand the experiences and impact among parents and mental health professionals (MHPs) following the loss of a child/adolescent to suicide and identify ways in which insights from bereaved individuals can inform strengthening systemic responses.

METHODS: The meta-synthesis included qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies. The coding principles were based on thematic synthesis and interpretative phenomenological analysis to allow the participants’ voices to emerge. The findings from quantitative studies were interpreted qualitatively and incorporated into higher-order themes. The final conceptual framework was developed through triangulation across diverse study methodologies and participant groups.

RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included. Superordinate themes illuminating experiences of parents include-‘pervasive experiences of bereaved parents’, ‘making sense of the child and the suicide’, ‘moving on vs moving forward’ and ‘when support falls short’. Experiences of MHPs were captured through the following preliminary superordinate themes-‘navigating grief as therapists’, ‘client suicide-is realistic estimate a fallacy’, ‘surviving client’s suicide’ and ‘holding space for healers’.

CONCLUSION: This review uniquely speaks of the shared grief experiences of parents and MHPs on a continuum while also highlighting the distinct contexts and meanings that shape their experiences. Integrated postvention support should prioritize systemic continuity of care for bereaved parents and families while simultaneously ensuring individualized support for bereaved MHPs through sensitive institutional structures.

PMID:41834161 | DOI:10.1111/papt.70045