Suicide postvention strategies: review and proposals for the military setting.

revisão e propostas para o ambiente militar

Abstract

Postvention, a term coined by Schneidman (1973), refers to support strategies for suicide survivors—family members, friends, and others affected—to minimize the negative impacts of loss. It is estimated that, in the general context, each suicide directly affects 6 to 14 people, potentially reaching 135 in the broader social context. Postvention is also a strategy for preventing future suicides. This qualitative study presents a narrative literature review of scientific publications, institutional documents, and national and international guidelines, focusing on their applicability to the Brazilian Navy. Sources include indexed articles, manuals from the World Health Organization, the Brazilian Psychiatric Association, and the United States Department of Defense. The Werther, Papageno, and Severino effects related to the influence of the media on suicidal behavior, the survival continuum, and complicated grief were discussed. The profile of the bereaved and general postvention actions were observed, including analysis of farewell letters, critical incident debriefing, survivor support, and support groups. Psychological autopsy was highlighted as a tool for retrospective investigation. Positive psychological changes and salutogenic processes were also addressed. Thus, postvention is essential, but still little known, especially in the military. Evidence-based protocols, adapted to the reality of the Brazilian Navy, can reduce the risk of new suicides and provide humanized support to survivors. Implementation requires technical preparation, institutional sensitivity, and training of professionals trained to deal with traumatic grief and its consequences.