Issues Most Important to Parents After Their Children's Suicide Attempt: A Pilot Delphi Study

Abstract

An advanced understanding of the issues most important to parents whose children have made a nonlethal suicide attempt has implications for clinicians in creating acceptable and useful interventions aimed at preventing youth suicide.

The psychosocial needs of parents of adolescents who attempt suicide

“…Parents' sense of responsibility to safeguard the adolescent manifested in behavioural and relational changes such as hypervigilance and being attentive of the suicidal child. They wanted to understand why the suicide attempt happened in the first place, engage in suicide prevention activities and establish communication and trust (Hickey et al, 2015). During a suicide crisis of a loved one, family members strongly desire the needed knowledge (and perhaps power) to prevent suicide from happening (Grant et al, 2015).…”

“…We sought to explore the psychosocial support needs of South African parents of children who attempted suicide. Increased awareness of the effects of suicidal attempts on families and the support required by the affected parents, may strengthen collaboration between family members and mental healthcare providers (Morgan et al, 2013;Hickey, Rossetti, Strom, Bryant, 2015;Grant et al, 2015). This study was guided by the research question: 'What are the psychosocial support needs of parents of adolescents who attempted suicide and were admitted to a district hospital in South Africa?…”

Concerns most important to parents after their child's suicide attempt: A pilot study and collaboration with a rural mental health facility

“…However, little is known about how to support the family; specifically parents during this catastrophic time in their lives. Generally, parents do not think about themselves after their child has made a suicide attempt; they are more concerned about the well‐being of their child and how to keep them safe (Greene‐Palmer et al, ; Hickey, Rossetti, Strom, & Bryant, ). Parents also need help and support so they can continue to care for their children and families through this challenging time.…”

“…The findings of these studies indicate that the protective factor in the parenting of children who have attempted suicide is impaired by extreme stress. To build upon studies identifying parents' experiences, and to begin to create a knowledge base for targeted interventions to support parents, Hickey et al () surveyed rural and suburban adolescent mental health care providers on issues most important to parents after their child's suicide attempt. Participants described the following as most important to parents after their child's suicide attempt: keeping their child safe; identifying what caused or triggered the suicide attempt; strategies to prevent another suicide attempt; and communication and building trust for the future.…”