Those who witness the suicide or find the body may suffer post traumatic stress. Many feel anger towards the victim, themselves, or others. They may become depressed and all are at high risk of becoming suicidal. Data on survivor suicides is unavailable. One of four suicide attempters has a family history of suicide.
Survivors are the group at highest risk of suicide.
Adolescents who have lost a friend to suicide are almost 3 times more likely to complete suicide than those who have not. Survivors who have a consanguineous relationship to the victim may share neurobiological features that may increase the risk of suicidality. All survivors are vulnerable to emotional disorders associated with suicidality. Suicide loss is the ultimate stressor. The grief of both tends to be minimized.