The Therapist’s Reaction to a Patient’s Suicide

Abstract

Our data suggest that identifying the severely distressed subgroup could be done using a visual analog scale for overall distress. As a consequence, more specific and intensified help could be provided to these professionals.

Supporting Providers After Drug Overdose Death

“…Smith and Jones did. Surveys of providers who experienced a suicide in their practice found that funeral attendance was relatively un-common, with rates ranging from 2% to 14% of providers (21, 28, 31, 44). The literature does suggest, however, that funeral attendance after a patient suicide can help families and providers mourn and work through their grief after suicide (24, 31, 45, 46).…”

Exploring the impact on primary care mental health practitioners of the death of a patient by suicide: An IPA study

“…patient's level of suicide risk, extent of responsibility for risk management, required process following a death, likely impact, support available). As highlighted elsewhere, we need to better prepare practitioners for such losses (Bowers et al, 2006 ; Chemtob et al, 1988 ; Gibbons et al, 2019 ; Hendin et al, 2000 ; Jacobson et al, 2004 ; Sherba et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2016 ; Wurst et al, 2011 ). This lack of preparation could combine with personal characteristics (e.g.…”

A National Survey of School Counselors’ Experiences With Student Death by Suicide

“…Although data are limited and ranges across mental health settings, one study of exposure among a national sample of counselors ( N = 376) found that 24% experienced the death of a client by suicide (McAdams & Foster, 2000). Other studies found that practitioners working in inpatient psychiatric settings experienced higher rates of exposure (i.e., 55%–69%; Takahashi et al, 2011; Wurst et al, 2011). However, examination of the frequency of school counselors’ exposure to a student’s death by suicide is needed given the prevalence of youth suicide and the critical role that school counselors play in youth suicide prevention and crisis response (ASCA, 2018; Fineran, 2012).…”

“…Client suicide can have serious consequences on mental health professionals’ emotional well-being and professional work. Personal reactions to clients’ death by suicide include sadness, depression, guilt, anger, shame, personal distress, shock, emotional numbing, and social withdrawal (Finlayson & Simmonds, 2016; McAdams & Foster, 2000; Sanders et al, 2005; Sherba et al, 2019; Wurst et al, 2011). Further, some professionals experiencing clients’ death by suicide have trauma-related symptoms including traumatic stress, intrusive thoughts (e.g., dreams or thoughts about the suicide), avoidance (i.e., efforts to avoid feelings or situations related to the suicide), and hyperarousal (e.g., being “on guard”; Castelli Dransart et al, 2014; McAdams & Foster, 2000; Sanders et al, 2005; Takahashi et al, 2011).…”