Grief after suicide is complex with profound psychosocial consequences, including impaired interpersonal relationships, reduced occupational functioning, deteriorated mental health and importantly, a heightened risk for subsequent suicide. While suicide bereavement support initiatives are increasing, they have been mainly developed in Western countries, and it remains unclear whether existing services cater for the needs of suicide loss survivors from non-Western or non-Christian backgrounds. Australia is home to one of the largest multicultural populations, with around seven million migrants. Among them, approximately 800,000 identify as Muslim. Data regarding their suicidality and support needs are limited or unreliable, both nationally and globally.
Existing evidence proposes that Muslims tend to have lower help-seeking behaviour when facing mental health adversities. Stigma surrounding mental health problems and suicide, the shortage of culturally and religiously informed mental health professionals and interventions, as well as distinct cultural and religious interpretations of life adversities, are among the contributing factors. Results of our qualitative study with Muslim suicide loss survivors in Australia highlighted their need for culturally and religiously informed mental health care providers who can reduce the burden on clients to explain the context surrounding suicide in Islam.
Building on these gaps, we are conducting an online survey to understand the perceived skills and competence of the mental health workforce in Australia (psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, GPs, etc) in providing suicide bereavement support for suicide bereaved Muslim clients. The survey also explores their views on the content of a potential suicide postvention training. The results can be of use for practitioners and organisations aiming to deliver a culturally and religiously tailored support. This survey is ongoing, with 60 responses received to date. A mixed-methods analysis will be conducted, using descriptive and inferential statistics for closed-ended items, and inductive content analysis using NVivo-14 for free text answers. Data collection will conclude in December 2025, and we aim to present the main results at NSPC26 in April, pending acceptance.