Citation

Agraz FP, García RR, Hernández RIG, Rodríguez BB. Psicol. Conductual 2007; 15(3): 543-556.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Asociación Española de Psicología Conductual)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide attempts and suicides are fifty times more frequent at psychiatric hospitals. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of a lethal suicide attempt on both mental health professionals and patients attending a psychiatric centre. An opportunity study was made by means of opinion questionnaires, a brief suicide risk evaluation, and with both Beck's suicide ideation and hopelessness scales.

RESULTS show that mental health professionals informed a medium training level to cope with this kind of events; those who observed a suicide attempt were more affected personally than those who did not; and their main needs were related to job security and a specific training to act when a suicide attempt occurs. Although patients showed a significant improvement fifteen days later, a clinical and statistical increase of hopelessness was also reported (7.3+5.74 vs. 14.88+2.26; t=4.20, gl=8, p=.003). We can conclude that work organization plays a crucial role in the impact of suicide attempts, which is usually negative and affects both patients and mental health professionals.

Language: es

Keywords

human; mental health; Suicide; training; Mental health services; suicidal ideation; suicide attempt; crisis intervention; hopelessness; Crisis intervention; article; questionnaire; statistical significance; mental health center; psychiatric treatment; health practitioner; Psychological impact; organization; job security