ABSTRACT
Until the 1960s, people bereaved by suicide were a largely hidden group. The attention of researchers, clinicians and policy-makers was focused almost exclusively on people who attempted suicide or took their own lives and efforts were directed mainly towards suicide prevention. Survivors were isolated from one another, little was known about them and about their circumstances, and they received little or no help in coming to terms with their loss. Interest in survivors and awareness of their situation began to emerge in rather roundabout ways.
