Suicide

the pain of bereaved survivors

Abstract

Suicide, an act of self-inflicted violence consciously desired and carried out by the subject with the intention of death, wich generates important repercussions in the   family   and   social   context.   The   present   study   aims   to   understand   these reverberations inthe bereaved survivors. Using a qualitative methodology, through semi-structured interviews, were sought to give voice to elevenpeople impacted by a suicide. All ethical precepts were upheld. The content analysis method proposed by Bardin (1977) structured the organization in two categories: “The Unnameable” and “The  Guilt”.  Analyzed  based  on  studies  about  the  understanding  of  mourning processes for those who are kept, supported by different theoretical approaches, with emphasis on the psychoanalytic orientations. As main results, stands out that among the result of the trauma of this loss, there is an absence of words, capable of naming the  force  of  the  unrepresentable  operating  in  the  psychic  apparatus.  Thus,  as overwhelming  feelings  of  guilt  that  imprison  the  bereaved  in  search  of  answers  to possible motivations and their responsibility for the suicidal act. Therefore, stands out the importance of new studies, to support specialized care for bereaved survivors, as well as postvention strategies helping them to face the devastating pain of suicide and its repercussions.