Citation

Bantjes J. Health Psychol Open 2017; 4(2): e2055102917726202.

Affiliation

Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/2055102917726202

PMID

29379617

PMCID

PMC5779928

Abstract

Few studies have explored the expressed support needs of suicide attempters in developing countries. Data, collected via in-depth interviews with suicide attempters admitted to a South African hospital, were analysed using thematic content analysis. Participants explicitly asked for integrated psycho-social services at a primary health care level and say they require assistance with alleviating psychiatric symptoms, establishing connectedness, interpersonal conflict and solving socio-economic problems.

FINDINGS highlight the importance for suicide prevention of (1) considering interpersonal and contextual socio-economic factors in addition to the psychiatric causes of suicidal behaviour; and (2) multilevel strategies, intersectoral collaboration and integrated person-centred primary health care.

Language: en

Keywords

South Africa; attempted suicide; critical health psychology; health care systems; suicide; suicide prevention