A Postvention Guide for Organizations After a Client Dies by Suicide

This resource provides behavioral health organizations with an overview of the core elements of an organizational postvention plan, including:

  • Response leadership
  • Confirmation and communication
  • Confidentiality, documentation, and legal guidance
  • Continuity of care and support for other clients
  • Clinician and staff support
  • Family and community contact
  • Review, learning, and plan revision

This document was produced with support from Johns Hopkins University, including authors Megan Lynch, LICSW; Olivia E. Nasef; Thomas M. Freitag, MD, MPhil; Andrea N. Cimino, PhD, MSW; and Paul S. Nestadt, MD

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Author: Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

Year Published/Updated: 2026

Resource Type: Guide/Toolkit