All In The Mind Grief and guilt: losing a loved one to suicide
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Jan 31, 2026 Karl Andriessen, a suicide bereavement researcher, and Blake Johnston, former pro surfer turned mental health advocate, talk about loss after suicide. They explore shock, complicated grief, effects on families and children, why prevention hasn’t reduced rates, cultural impacts, and rebuilding life through community, routines and advocacy.
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Suicide Bereavement Is Uniquely Complicated
- Suicide bereavement often produces unanswered questions, self-blame and stigma that complicate grief.
- Those factors can prolong distress and make recovery more difficult than other types of bereavement.
Why Overall Suicide Rates Aren't Dropping
- Karl Andriessen notes some prevention methods work, but overall suicide rates haven't fallen because individual risks are hard to detect and disclose.
- Long-term risk from past attempts and reluctance to reveal suicidal thoughts make timely intervention difficult.
Bereavement Elevates Mental Health And Suicide Risk
- Those bereaved by suicide face higher rates of anxiety, depression and somatic complaints and an elevated suicide risk.
- Social isolation and lack of appropriate support deepen distress and can model suicide as a coping option.
