Men’s Reflections on Postsuicide Attempt Episode in Bangladesh

• Published in: Omega: Journal of Death and Dying Vol. 84; no. 2; pp. 582 - 595
• Main Authors: Khan, Anisur Rahman, Ratele, Kopano, Arendse, Najuwa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-12-2021; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Forgiveness; Masculinity; Men; Prevention programs; Revenge; Risk factors; Suicide; Suicides & suicide attempts; Survivor; Bangladesh; Bangladesh; postattempt experiences; coping strategies; men; Jhenaidah; masculinity; suicide-attempt
• ISSN: 0030-2228; 1541-3764
• DOI: 10.1177/0030222820904878

This is the first ever research in Bangladesh that provides understanding about men’s postsuicide attempt reflections from a district called Jhenaidah which is assumed to be a high suicide-prone area in the country. Employing qualitative semistructured interviews with 17 men who have attempted suicide, aged 18 years and older, this research finds the survivors encountered several immediate reactions from others specifically targeting toward demeaning their masculinity. Nonetheless, they adopted several means to cope with the postsuicide episode that are thematically arranged as self-deprecation, rebuilding oneself, revenge vis-à-vis forgiveness, and impulses to escape vis-à-vis nonreactive. The postattempt episodes of the survivors are likely to be moved toward further risk factors. Therefore, it is important to take protective measures for the survivors. Specific to this district, developing a context-specific suicide prevention model, targeting the risk population could be a possible solution to the problems associated with the postattempt episodes.