The figure below shows percentages. Compared to accidents-parents, SIDS parents also turned out to have been followed up for a longer period, and they received more of their help from hospitals. The latter also means that they received more help from professionals on a higher competence-level, like psychologist and other specialist on psychosocial matters. The results reveal the necessity of further work to raise the awareness of families' psychosocial needs after SIDS and comparable deaths. The professional system should take the responsibility for establishing contact with the bereaved, and for the continuity of this contact.
Parents call for a follow-up for a year or more.
Furthermore, bereaved parents stress the importance of encouragement regarding taking a personal and fulfilling farewell with the dead child. They also call for raised awareness on the importance of being informed and consulted on crisis reaction, gender differences and siblings needs. Also, the results clearly indicate that bereavement support can make a difference. This also indicates that the Norwegian SIDS Society's systematic work for 15 years to secure a better follow-up after SIDS, has had an effect. Such networks are, according to the informants themselves, the most important sources for confirmation of feelings, and not at least for identification.