The traumatic effects of suicide on families : a pastoral perspective

Abstract

There would be few nations, if any, the world over who do not understand the word Suicide. It is a dreadful word. It is when one plans and executes his own death. Suicide is not likely to occur accidentally. It has been established that it is a world-wide phenomenon. It is dreadful. However, the focus of this study is about the trauma that suicide causes to members of families that are left behind to grieve. Trauma has been defined as an injury exerted on the human body by outside forces. This injury is, however, emotional/psychological and never physical. The author s community has been greatly affected by this trauma, hence the research. The aim of this study was to epitomise its dreadful effects on families, the community and the church.