About this event

Suicide Bereavement: Narratives of Blame; risks and opportunities - Dr Rachel Gibbons and Dorit Braun

A death by suicide can devastate those left behind. This seminar explores the psychoanalytic aftermath of suicide: how delusional blame narratives rapidly form in the minds of the bereaved—including clinicians—and how these narratives can obstruct mourning, distort memory, disturb organisation and society more broadly. Dr Rachel Gibbons draws on over 1500 testimonies to trace the unconscious forces that emerge after suicide, including splitting, projection, and identification with the aggressor.  The seminar also examines how organisations themselves become gripped by fear and defensiveness, often scapegoating clinicians rather than supporting them. Drawing on her critique of “zero suicide” policies, Dr Gibbons challenges the assumption that suicide can be reliably predicted or eliminated, and instead calls for a more compassionate, sustainable postvention approach grounded in understanding.

Dr Rachel Gibbons is Vice Chair of the Psychotherapy Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a leading voice on the emotional impact of suicide and homicide in clinical practice. She chaired the RCPsych Working Group on the Effect of Suicide and Homicide for six years and previously led the College’s Patient Safety Group. A psychoanalyst, group analyst, and consultant psychiatrist, she has worked in the NHS for over 20 years, developed national guidance on staff support, and received the RCPsych President’s Medal in 2024.

This lecture will be recorded and available for 7 days after the lecture takes place.

© Image: Matthew Kolakowski, 'Storm Inside' 2010

REFUND POLICY: Tickets are fully refundable until 14 days before the lecture, after which time no refunds will be issued.

Concession tickets are available, for students, BPAS candidates and NHS trainees and nurses. Please email [email protected] if you are unsure if you qualify for a concession ticket.

Views and opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Institute, event organisers or other speakers. We expect delegates to respect the confidentiality of clinical material discussed in our events. The content must not be recorded, conveyed or disseminated in any format and participants must not share access to the event with non-registered participants.

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