ABSTRACT
Research and anecdotal evidence suggests that coming to terms with the suicide of a patient can be extremely distressing for front-line professionals. Some research also suggests that exposure to such situations can undermine professionals' functioning and feelings of competence, cause them to question their professional standing and ultimately contribute to burnout. A survey of 447 front-line professionals' experiences of patient suicide was undertaken to further explore these issues. Thematic analysis of open-ended questionnaire items revealed that concerns for the bereaved family, feelings of responsibility for the death and having a close therapeutic relationship with the client are key factors that influence the adjustment and coping of a health professional in the aftermath of the death of a client by suicide. The results are discussed with a focus on the impact of suicide on front-line staff, the need for ongoing support and training and the development of specific post-suicide protocols.
Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional/psychology , Health Personnel/psychology , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Suicide/psychology , Survivors/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Counseling , Female , Guilt , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Inservice Training , Ireland , Male , Middle Aged , Peer Group , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Social Support , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Suicide is now the commonest cause of death among young Irish males. The literature identifies a wide range of contributory risk factors in suicide. However, a number of realities have frustrated clinicians' efforts in the area, including the reluctance of young males to engage in mental health services. In this study, we sought to explore the problems experienced by young men in a rural setting and their attitudes towards seeking help. METHODS: Focus groups were employed to generate themes for a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire which was administered to a community sample of 71 young men (22.4% of the total number of males aged 16-30 years in the area) and 79 key informants. The questionnaires contained demographic items and examined available social outlets, types and extent of difficulties experienced by young men and perceptions of and access to potential sources of support. RESULTS: Both young men and key informants reported that peer pressure and alcohol misuse are areas of most difficulty, that friends and family are the preferred sources of support and that young men view much existing professional help as unacceptable. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a basis for the next stage in the research cycle and also supports the viability of building a partnership between the health services and the local community in developing future suicide prevention strategies for young men.
