Student Suicide Aftermath: A Phenomenological Study of Residential Life-Student Staff

Abstract

College student suicide is increasing but little research addresses it. We examine student-housing-staff responses to student suicide using meaning making, trauma theory, and trauma-informed counseling. The phenomenological study included 11 participants who experienced student suicide on campus. Student staff experienced trauma, guilt, and responsibility. Counseling was recommended, but whether student staff received counseling remained unclear. Some indications of meaning making followed the suicide. Implications for practice, policy, and research are provided.