@article{ref1,
title="Yearning to be heard",
journal="Crisis",
year="2014",
author="Montross Thomas, Lori P. and Palinkas, Lawrence A. and Meier, Emily A. and Iglewicz, Alana and Kirkland, Tabitha and Zisook, Sidney",
volume="35",
number="3",
pages="161-167",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Patients with serious mental illness can be at higher risk for suicide. Most research has focused on determining the risk factors for suicide-related events using quantitative methodologies and psychological autopsies. However, fewer studies have examined patients' perspectives regarding the experience of suicidal events. Aims: To better understand suicide experiences from the perspective of patients diagnosed with serious mental illness. <br><br>METHOD: This study purposively sampled and qualitatively interviewed 23 patients within the Veterans Affairs Hospital who were diagnosed with serious mental illness and who had attempted suicide. Using a phenomenological design, hermeneutic interviews included questions about the precursors, characteristics, and treatment of the suicide events, as well as patients' recommendations for care. <br><br>RESULTS: Loneliness, isolation, depression, and hopelessness were commonly described as emotional precursors to the suicide events for all patients, while command hallucinations were reported among patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. When evaluating whether treatments were effective, patients focused primarily on the level of empathy and compassion shown by their providers. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The most common recommendation for the improvement of care was to increase clinicians' empathy, compassion, and listening skills. Additionally, efforts to bolster social supports were highlighted as a means to diminish suicide events.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0227-5910",
doi="10.1027/0227-5910/a000247",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000247"
}