Knowledge Translation and Exchange: Article 1
August 2025
We are excited to share the first segment of a new series entitled, “Focus on KTE”, an initiative of CASP’s Knowledge Translation and Exchange Advisory Group. The aim of this series is to support the translation and exchange of emerging knowledge, by highlighting the real-life implications of research and why it is important to suicide prevention and life promotion.
August’s Focus of KTE highlights a new study, Influence of Early Responder Interactions on Support-Seeking Behaviors of Suicide Loss Survivors, published in The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention (Volume 46, Issue 2, March 2025). The study provides important insights into how the initial interactions between people impacted by suicide loss and early responders, “hold the potential to shape their loss experience, pursuit of support services and the healing process” (Duval et al., 2025, p. 1).
The results indicate that the people who sought mental health support services reported that they experienced more “compassionate communication, personal disclosures, follow-up interactions, information sharing and referrals” with early responders in the first few days after the loss (Duval et al., 2025, p. 1).
These findings underscore the importance of training among early responders so they may offer a compassionate, supportive and informed response to those newly bereaved by suicide loss, encouraging them to seek further mental health supports.
The study is also an important reminder of the significant role early responders play in connecting newly bereaved persons with safe and supportive resources and community services that offer opportunities for them to share, learn and move forward in their unique journey through suicide loss.
Disclaimer: We are grateful to the publisher for providing free access to this article until October 1, 2025.
