Unimaginable Loss: Contingent Suicidal Ideation in Family Members of Oncology Patients

BackgroundFamily members of patients with cancer may reveal to the medical team that they are considering suicide after their loved one dies. No literature is available indicating how to assess risk and to intervene with these individuals.ObjectiveThe authors describe various alerting signs and seek to improve awareness and approaches to suicide prevention.MethodThe authors present five cases of potential contingent suicide.ResultsFamily members struggling with anticipatory grief challenge the clinical team at several points of decision-making.ConclusionClose coordination among members of the patient's treatment team and psychiatric consultants is crucial for helping vulnerable family members move safely into adequately supported bereavement.