Loss of human life by suicide – lived experiences of suicide survivors and professionals

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the phenomenon of losing human life by suicide, based on the lived experiences of suicide survivors and professionals. METHODS: Phenomenological participatory action research was conducted, comprising 50 group sessions with 51 participants including suicide survivors, registered nurses, response police officers, and general practitioners. RESULTS: The essence of losing human life through suicide is characterized by profound emotional vulnerability when confronted with an existential tragedy. This means a powerlessness and an abrupt shift in existence, awakening the instinct to escape and the responsibility to act. Being the messenger of death is a heavy burden, and a sense of abandonment arises when survivors are left alone. Simply being together as human beings awakens a sense of vulnerability and a strong impulse to uphold human dignity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore that everyone involved is vulnerable to existential challenges following suicide and provide insight into the fragility of humanity. Professionals need awareness of their own vulnerability and moral courage to encounter survivors as fellow human beings. Support for survivors should acknowledge that grief and existential suffering do not follow fixed timelines. The methodological combination of phenomenology and participatory action research proved fruitful, generating rich insights and offering a promising approach for future studies.