Exploring suicide bereavement experiences and support needs among muslims and individuals with an Islamic cultural background living in Australia

Suicide loss may increase the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and suicidality. Within the Muslim community, suicide is highly stigmatized, reducing social support and increasing the risk of prolonged grief symptoms. Given the scarcity of research with this population, this qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of suicide bereavement in a purposive sample of people with Islamic backgrounds in Australia (N = 9). Reflexive thematic analysis generated five themes: 1) grieving and death perspectives, 2) ripple effect of suicide bereavement, 3) the social image of grief after suicide, 4) a holistic approach to healing, and 5) circles of need. Although faith-based professional support was limited, participants valued Islamic teachings (e.g., Qadar, acts of charity in memory of the deceased), as they helped reduce feelings of guilt, ruminations, and concerns about the deceased's afterlife. Incorporating these teachings in suicide bereavement interventions could enhance their acceptability and effectiveness for this population.