Suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 34 in Canada. With much of the existing suicide bereavement literature focusing on immediate family members, little is known about those grieving a suicide death outside of the family system. However, recent research indicates that friendships are most commonly affected by a suicide death. Friendships play a key role in the lives of all human beings and are especially significant for emerging adults (ages 18 to 29). Recognizing that emerging adulthood is a time of significant developmental change, this age group has repeatedly been recommended as a priority for future research. This phenomenological study addresses a gap in the suicide bereavement literature by using photo-elicitation
to explore the lived experiences of emerging adults who grieved the loss of a friend to suicide. This study’s findings also inform grief and developmental theory, counselling practice, and suicide prevention strategies.
