Box 1.

Recommendations for general practice

Have a local strategy or protocol in place to support those bereaved by suicide, guided by policy. Awareness of regional and national support services available and literature available to offer to patients, for example, Public Health England’s Help is at Hand resource.25 Suicide bereavement communication skills training for staff. Explore local data gathering, as per National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.3 Act proactively where possible and initiate contact with parents where suicide is known. Consider the practical aspects of facilitating patients visiting the practice, including the length of the appointment, possible alternatives for those not wanting to wait in the waiting room, and so on.