Effects of patient suicide on psychiatrists: survey of experiences and support required

Abstract

Aims and methodDeath of patients by suicide can have powerful effects on psychiatrists. We report the findings of a survey completed by 174 psychiatrists on the effects of patient suicide on their emotional well-being and clinical practice, and the support and resources they felt would be helpful.Results and clinical implicationsThe death of a patient by suicide usually had a major effect on respondents. Clinical practice was often negatively affected, and over a quarter of respondents considered a change of career path as a result. There were some gender differences in responses, with women reporting more sense of responsibility for the deaths and a greater effect on their clinical confidence. Desired support included a senior suicide lead clinician, support during formal post-suicide processes, opportunity for reflection on practice, information about resources to support families and help communicating with families and friends of the deceased.

‘We’re the First Port of Call’ – Perspectives of Ambulance Staff on Responding to Deaths by Suicide: A Qualitative Study

“…Research with 'second responder' professionals who come into contact with suicide suggests that this experience can be profoundly distressing for some (Seguin et al, 2014), that they may be unsure how to respond to the bereaved, may feel powerless to help and are unaware of other resources (Halligan and Corcoran, 2001;Foggin et al, 2016). Additionally, a lack of training in suicide bereavement has been commonly reported among professionals exposed to suicide (Foggin et al, 2016;Gibbons et al, 2019).…”

Impact of homicide by a psychiatric patient on forensic psychiatrists: national survey

“…This is in stark contrast to the high rate of suicide by individuals under psychiatric care: during the same time period, 17 931 mental health patients died by suicide, representing 28% of all suicides in the UK. 1 A recent study by Gibbons et al 2 found that the death of a psychiatric patient by suicide can have a serious impact on the treating psychiatrist's psychological health, clinical practice and attitude towards their work. Concerns have been expressed about some of the unintended and adverse consequences of a patient-perpetrated homicide, both for the individual clinician and for the organisation, 3 but there have been no studies examining these effects directly.…”

Predicting short-term suicide risk: allowing for ongoing variation in severity of intent

“…It is very important in such circumstances to take a step back, accept that it can indeed be very difficult to predict suicide, let alone prevent it, and acknowledge that occasionally quite inevitably we will not succeed. 1 However, in our day-to-day work we are probably more effective in preventing suicide than we allow ourselves to acknowledge. Such a happening goes unnoticed and is never recorded: a prevented suicide is a statistical nonevent for which we get no credit.…”