“Circles of Connection” is a model for identifying the nature and number of connections that those exposed to a suspected suicide had with the deceased. Those with stronger and multiple connections to the deceased are more likely to have greater suicide exposure effects and therefore increased support and wellbeing needs.
After a death by suspected suicide (or suicide attempt), those exposed may be at increased risk for adverse health impacts such as developing a mental illness or engaging in suicidal behaviour (often referred to as suicide exposure effects, suicide contagion and suicide cluster). It is important that adversely effected individuals are identified and contacted, their holistic support needs are assessed and that matching grief and other clinical and culturally appropriate and effective support is put in place as necessary.
Tō te Rā uses the Circles of Connection model to identify those who have stronger or multiple connections to the deceased and are therefore more likely to experience adverse impacts from suicide exposure. This model recommends actively reaching out to and assessing those who were in geographical or psychological or social proximity to the event and a third general population, those already considered at risk of engaging in suicidal behaviour prior to the event occurring.
Tō te Rā does not recommend holding large, open-invitation, open-microphone meetings as there is a chance, given the strong emotions often present, that such meetings may not be able to be safely conducted for everyone in attendance.
Geographical Proximity
The physical distance a person is from the location of the suspected suicide or suicide attempt:
- Eyewitnesses to the event
- Those discovering a body
- Those exposed to the immediate aftermath of the event (including first responders)
- Those living in the same street or neighbourhood where the event took place
- Those exposed to the event by virtue of extensive, repetitive and especially sensationalized media coverage including online and social media. Social media can substantially broaden the geographical exposure effects.
Psychological Proximity
The level with which people relate to or perceive themselves to be like the deceased or person attempting suicide. For example, they are both:
- Victims of bullying
- Team members or workmates
- Classmates or others attending the same school
- Those in the same peer group or who think that they are a similar person in some way to deceased or person attempting suicide
- Those who perceive they have similar life problems to the deceased (or person attempting suicide) which could also be resolved by suicide.
Social Proximity
The type of relationship (real or perceived) one has with the deceased:
- Family members
- Friends
- Romantic partner or interest
- Ex-romantic relationship
- Part of the same peer group or social circle
- Health or other professionals who were working with the decease
- Those most vulnerable may not be the best friends of the deceased.
Population at greater risk of suicide exposure effects
Those with:
- Current mental illness
- A history of trauma
- Prior suicidal behaviour especially previous suicide attempt(s)
- Current substance abuse
- Current familial conflict or other relationship distress
- A history of familial suicide(s) or other suicidal behaviour
- A history of peer / friend suicide
Those most at risk tend to be those who:
- Witnessed the suicide or its aftermath (Geographical)
- Had a close psychological or social connection to deceased (Psychosocial)
- Have pre-existing vulnerabilities such as mental health or other challenges (Population at risk)
- Had some involvement in the suicide occurring or belief that they could or should have done something to prevent it
Other factors contributing to increased support needs are those who:
- Believe that they failed to identify signs of suicidal intent
- Are feeling any sense of responsibility for the death
- Have a sense of hopelessness/helplessness
- Have experienced recent (or have upcoming) significant losses or stressors
- Have limited social support
