Impact of client suicide on social workers and counselors

Sherba, R. Thomas; Linley, Jessica V.; Coxe, Kathryn; Gersper, Beth E.

doi:10.1080/15332985.2018.1550028

Cited by 20 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Some avoidance behaviours were highlighted, for instance, reluctance to accept suicidal patients (Hendin et al, 2000; Ting, Sanders, Jacobson, & Power, 2006), more conservative patient selection (Trimble et al, 2000), avoidance of the scene of the suicide (Wang et al, 2016), change of role (Ting et al, 2006), or considering taking early retirement/change of career (Alexander et al, 2000; Dewar et al, 2000; Gibbons et al, 2019; Kelleher & Campbell, 2011; Sherba, Linley, Coxe, & Gersper, 2019).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Five studies noted that publicity in the media contributed to the impact that practitioners experienced (Alexander et al, 2000; Dewar et al, 2000; Landers et al, 2010; Midence et al, 1996; Sherba et al, 2019), with all being in agreement that awareness of publicity heightened the distress experienced.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Team meetings were found helpful by some (Alexander et al, 2000; Courtenay & Stephens, 2001; Cotton et al, 1983; Pieters et al, 2003) but either unhelpful by others (Hendin et al, 2000), or the need for careful management of meetings was noted (Kelleher & Campbell, 2011; Linke et al, 2002). Some studies found that critical incident debriefs or case reviews were useful (Alexander et al, 2000; Kleespies, 1993; Kleespies et al, 1990; Landers et al, 2010; Pieters et al, 2003; Rothes et al, 2013; Sherba et al, 2019), but other studies described them as unhelpful (Bowers et al, 2006; Hendin et al, 2000), specifically if experienced as insensitive or persecutory (Gibbons et al, 2019). One study reported that the use of external reviewers to guide debriefing was unhelpful (Courtenay & Stephens, 2001).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact on mental health practitioners of the death of a patient by suicide: A systematic review

Sandford

Thwaites

O’Connor

2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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There is a growing body of research investigating the impact on mental health professionals of losing a patient through suicide. However, the nature and extent of the impact is unclear. This systematic review synthesizes both quantitative and qualitative studies in the area. The aim was to review the literature on the impact of losing a patient through suicide with respect to both personal and professional practice responses as well as the support received. A search of the major psychological and medical databases was conducted, using keywords including suicide, patient, practitioner, and impact, which yielded 3,942 records. Fifty‐four studies were included in the final narrative synthesis. Most common personal reactions in qualitative studies included guilt, shock, sadness, anger, and blame. Impact on professional practice included self‐doubt and being more cautious and defensive in the management of suicide risk. As quantitative study methodologies were heterogeneous, it was difficult to make direct comparisons across studies. However, 13 studies (total n = 717 practitioners) utilized the Impact of Event Scale, finding that between 12% and 53% of practitioners recorded clinically significant scores. The need for training that is focused on the impact of suicides, and the value placed upon informal support was often cited. The experience of losing a patient through suicide can have a significant impact on mental health professionals, both in terms of their personal reactions and subsequent changes to professional practice. The negative impact, however, may be moderated by cultural and organisational factors and by the nature of support available.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact on mental health practitioners of the death of a patient by suicide: A systematic review

Sandford

Thwaites

O’Connor

2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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“…The authors would like to stress on the fact that though many of these measures are propositions that are not yet evidence-based, they are grounded in clinical experience and can potentially serve as framework for further empirical research. Work-related factors, distress modelling, burnout and occupational frustration, as well as therapeutic nihilism with regard to chronic psychiatric disorders, are the most-studied factors increasing the suicide risk of MHPs ( Sherba et al., 2019 ). Though the risk of suicides in medical professionals is well researched in literature, MHPs occupy a very limited part in this discourse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… The important interjection of suicide in clients and the consequent effect on mental health professionals needs detailed discussion. Approximately 40% of individuals who die by suicide have had some previous contact with mental health services with 70% of these individuals having contact with mental health services in the 12 months before their death ( Kielty et al., 2015 ; Sherba et al., 2019 ). The suicide of a client can lead to personal and professional distress, resulting in changes in professional practice ( Murphy et al., 2019 ).…”

Section: Suicidal Risk In Mental Health Professionals (Mhps)mentioning

confidence: 99%

"Guarding the Gatekeepers": Suicides among Mental Health Professionals and Scope of Prevention, A Review

Banerjee

Varshney

Vajawat

2020

Psychiatry Research

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Highlights Literature is limited on the suicidal risk of mental health professionals (MHP) Professional burnout, self-stigma, therapeutic nihilism, chronic stress, disengagement and easy access to medicines increase the risk of suicidality The risk is higher in developing countries due to resource constraints, misinformation and stigma related to mental health Tailored interventions, mental health promotion and systematic research are warranted to understand the risks and prevent suicide in MHPs

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“It's like losing a family member”: School counselors’ experience with student suicide

Haugen

Waalkes

Burgess

et al. 2023

Jour of Counseling & Develop

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Given the prevalence of suicide among school‐aged children and youth, school counselors may experience a student death by suicide in their careers. Yet, there is little empirical research exploring the nuances and depth of school counselors’ experiences with student suicide. In this study, the authors employed consensual qualitative research to explore the experience of 12 school counselors who encountered student death by suicide. Three domains emerged consisting of five general, four typical, and four variant categories highlighting school counselors’ experiences learning about the student suicide, the long‐term impact of the student death on school counselors’ personal and professional lives, and their advice for school counselors who experience a student suicide at some point in their careers. Findings have implications for school counseling practice, counselor educators, and future research.

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Impact of client suicide on social workers and counselors

Cited by 20 publications

References 16 publications

The impact on mental health practitioners of the death of a patient by suicide: A systematic review

The impact on mental health practitioners of the death of a patient by suicide: A systematic review

"Guarding the Gatekeepers": Suicides among Mental Health Professionals and Scope of Prevention, A Review

“It's like losing a family member”: School counselors’ experience with student suicide

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