2023/11/21 by Or Cohen Ben Simon, Anat Brunstein Klomek, Yael Pomerance +3
Psychology · #Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
paper · doi:10.1177/00302228231215841
crossref issued 2023/11/21 · crossref published 2023/11/21 · crossref published-online 2023/11/21 · openalex publication_date 2023/11/21 · crossref created 2023/11/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref published-print 2026/03/01 · crossref deposited 2026/05/01 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30
Death of patients by suicide can have powerful impacts on mental health professionals (MHPs). The National Program for the Prevention of Suicidality and Suicide at Israel's Ministry of Health decided to invest in MHPs who have lost patients by suicide. Two hundred and two MHPs completed an online self-report survey regarding their emotional response, professional identity, and clinical practice, and the aid they felt would be supportive following a patient's suicide. Results indicated that 35% of MHP experienced at least one death of a patient by suicide. Respondents experienced difficult emotional reactions, and many felt responsible for the suicide. Nearly 50% reported that the patient's suicide affected their clinical practice. Most respondents reported the need for a support framework and information about the processes following a patient's suicide. It is important to increase awareness of the possibility of losing a patient by suicide and offer an appropriate supportive framework.