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Five core domains of suicide postvention were identified through a Delphi consensus processExperts agree on core pillars to support suicide survivors

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Key Takeaway
Note the five core domains of suicide postvention identified via expert consensus to inform training frameworks.

This guideline was developed using a Delphi consensus process involving 28 experts and a focus group of 5 healthcare professionals to identify core domains of suicide postvention. The study aimed to establish foundational elements for support services following a suicide event.

Experts reached consensus on five specific domains: (1) the impact of suicide and foundations of postvention; (2) preparedness and immediate response, including safe communication; (3) ongoing response, accompaniment, and recovery; (4) postvention in specific settings such as education, workplace, and health services; and (5) long-term follow-up and prevention. A focus group of 5 healthcare professionals further identified the need for early accompaniment during the first days, integration of survivor testimonies, and concise asynchronous online modules.

A noted limitation is the small sample size of 5 professionals in the complementary focus group used to assess feasibility and utility. The findings serve as a foundation for developing recommendation guides and training frameworks within public health systems. Because this is a consensus-building exercise rather than a clinical trial, results reflect expert agreement on framework components rather than measured clinical outcomes.

How this fits prior evidence

This guideline addresses gaps in structured suicide postvention by establishing five core domains of care. While prior coverage identified specific risk factors such as CNS medication signals and occupational risks (Construction and Extraction), this consensus provides a framework for the response following a suicide event. It complements existing data on common methods and demographics by offering a structured approach to support survivors and healthcare teams.

When someone takes their own life, the impact ripples through families, schools, and workplaces. It is often hard for those left behind to know how to begin the healing process or where to turn for support. To address this, experts in Chile worked together to define what high-quality care should look like after a suicide.

The group reached a consensus on five core areas of support. These include immediate response and safe communication, ongoing recovery support, and specific help tailored for schools and workplaces. They also emphasized the importance of long-term follow-up to prevent future tragedies. This framework aims to create a consistent roadmap for public health services.

While the study used a small group of five healthcare professionals to check if these ideas were practical, the findings provide a solid foundation for training programs. These guidelines help ensure that survivors and coworkers receive steady support during both the initial days of shock and the long road toward healing.

What this means for you:
Experts identified five core areas to guide community and individual support after a suicide occurs.

Common questions

What are the main areas of support after a suicide?

Experts agreed on five core domains: understanding the impact of suicide, immediate response and safe communication, ongoing recovery support, specific help for schools and workplaces, and long-term follow-up to prevent future tragedies.

How can these findings help schools or workplaces?

The study specifically includes a domain for postvention in settings like education and the workplace. This helps create specific support systems for coworkers, students, and healthcare teams who are affected by a suicide.

What did healthcare workers say about these plans?

A focus group of five healthcare professionals supported the five domains. They specifically highlighted the need for early accompaniment during the first few days and the use of online modules to make support more accessible.

Study Details

Study typeGuideline
EvidenceLevel 5
PublishedJun 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundPostvention —structured support for individuals and communities exposed to or bereaved by suicide– is increasingly recognized as a core component of suicide prevention; yet standardized protocols and training frameworks remain scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, leaving healthcare professionals without adequate guidance to respond effectively.ObjectiveTo identify and reach expert consensus on the core domains of suicide postvention to inform a recommendation guide and a training program for healthcare professionals in Chile.MethodsWe conducted a Delphi consensus study integrating academic, practice-based, and lived-experience expertise to identify and validate core domains for a postvention guide and online training program. Experts rated items on a five-point Likert scale, and consensus was defined a priori as ≥90% agreement on the two highest positive response options (“Important” + “Essential”) or an interquartile range (IQR) ≤1. A complementary online focus group with healthcare professionals from public health services in three Chilean regions assessed the materials’ perceived utility and implementation feasibility. Quantitative responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics; qualitative inputs were examined through content analysis (Delphi) and thematic analysis (focus group).ResultsThe Delphi panel comprised 28 experts (8 international researchers, 6 national researchers, 3 policymakers, 6 healthcare professionals, and 5 suicide-loss survivors), with 89% retention across two rounds. Consensus was reached on five core domains: (1) the impact of suicide and foundations of postvention; (2) preparedness and immediate response, including safe communication; (3) ongoing response, accompaniment, and recovery; (4) postvention in specific settings (education, workplace, and health services, including support for healthcare teams); and (5) long-term follow-up and prevention. In the complementary focus group (n=5 healthcare professionals), participants endorsed these domains and highlighted the need for early accompaniment within the first days post-suicide, integration of survivor testimonies, and concise asynchronous online modules adapted to the time constraints of public health professionals.ConclusionsExpert consensus on core suicide postvention domains and content provides the foundation for a recommendation guide and training framework designed for scalable implementation across Chile’s public health system and adaptable to other Latin American and resource-constrained contexts.
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