June 11, 2026
A postvention plan provides a reliable structure to lean on during a difficult moment.
Most workplaces have plans for emergencies. Yet, very few have a plan for what happens after a suicide. Suicide is not a distant issue for most Americans. In 2023, the CDC estimated that more than two in five U.S. adults (42.4%) personally knew someone who died by suicide. This means most organizations will face this, whether they are prepared or not.
When a suicide loss occurs, its impact extends beyond family and close friends. Teams, managers, peers, and the broader workplace often experience grief, confusion, concern, and a need for guidance. In the absence of a clear plan, leaders are often left making decisions in real time during one of the most complex and sensitive situations a workplace can face.
Experiences After a Suicide Loss
In the immediate aftermath of a suicide loss, people in organizations often experience the same patterns:
- Inconsistent or delayed communication
- Managers are unsure of what to say or how to support their teams
- Employees process their grief, shock, or confusion without clear guidance
- An over-reliance on HR or an employee assistance program as the sole response
Understanding the Risks After Loss
Research consistently shows that people bereaved by suicide face an increased risk of depression, traumatic stress, complicated grief, and suicidal thoughts of their own. Even more concerning is that only a small number of people know how or where to actively seek out support. The result is often a gap between what employees need and their ability to access support during one of the most vulnerable periods following a loss. While individual studies vary, the research on postvention consistently highlights three themes.
What the Research Says
Reduce Risk
Postvention is not separate from prevention. Supporting people after a suicide loss reduces the risk of further suicides.
Act Early
People who receive outreach and support early are more likely to engage in services and begin their recovery process sooner.
Stay Connected
Effective postvention provides proactive, ongoing, and accessible support over time and throughout recovery.
When There’s No Postvention Plan
Even in strong, well-run workplaces, a suicide loss can create uncertainty about what to do next.
- Teams may look to leaders for guidance.
- Managers may want to support their people but aren’t always sure how.
- Communication can feel difficult to navigate, and support may depend on individuals knowing how to ask for help.
In many cases, the challenge is not a lack of compassion. It is a lack of structure, defined roles, and established processes during a moment that requires all three. A postvention plan helps bring clarity to that moment, so employees are supported in ways that are consistent, timely, and connected to the right resources.
Preparing Before Support Is Needed
No one expects to develop a fire response in the middle of an active blaze. We prepare in advance so people know where to go, what to do, and how to stay safe. In many cases, we also review, update, and exercise the plan to stay in practice so muscle memory carries us through those first few moments when a crisis disrupts our routine.
Effective postvention planning follows the same principle. A workplace is not in a position to build a thoughtful, coordinated response in the middle of grief and uncertainty. That kind of clarity has to be established ahead of time. A postvention plan helps people know what comes next. It ensures they know what to do, where to go, and how to access support as they process grief.
- Reach out to employees early
- Communicate in ways that are steady, clear, and consistent
- Support managers so they are not carrying the burden alone
- Stabilize the workplace environment as teams process and move forward
- Connect employees to the right resources
Preparing Before Support Is Needed
The impact of a StandDown is not limited to services alone. These events also create space for reconnection. Veterans engage with peers, share experiences, and rebuild a sense of belonging that can be difficult to maintain after transition from military service. That social dimension is not incidental. It is part of what makes these events effective.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that events alone are not the solution. A single day of services, no matter how well executed, cannot fully address long-term needs. What makes StandDowns effective is how they fit within a broader, coordinated approach.
A Practical Starting Point
Most organizations want to support their people after a loss. What’s often missing is a clear place to start.
The Be Connected Community Guide to Postvention was designed to help organizations prepare in advance, so the response does not have to be built during a time of grief and uncertainty. It provides a structured way to think through roles, communication, and coordination ahead of time.
Use the free Be Connected Community Guide to Postvention as a guide to build a postvention plan for your organization so that you’re prepared.
Looking for more postvention support? Reach out to the Arizona Coalition for Military Families at prevention@arizonacoalition.org. Our team has resources, support, and even free training.
Sources
Singichetti, B., Wang, J., Lee, R., Ballesteros, M.F., & Mack, K.A. (2025). Notes from the Field: Suicidal Thoughts and Knowing Someone Who Died by Suicide Among Adults—United States, 2023. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 74(12), 213–215.
