New study reveals "silence" around youth suicide

According to new research, mental health professionals who treat children and suicidal youth should explicitly refer to "suicide" to make sure they feel they are being listened to.

Research conducted by Stirling University has identified "silence about suicidality" in conversations between mental health practitioners and children and youth – and in academic research reports. The team found that using the term "self-harm" to encompbad suicidal behavior potentially contributed to this silence, avoiding the word "suicide."

The study also suggested that children and youth with suicidal thoughts generally do not know where and how to access help and do not feel listened to by health professionals.

Lynne Gilmour of the Nursing, Obstetrics and Paramedic Research Unit (NMAHP-UK) in Stirling led the work, which was also attended by Margaret Maxwell, Director of NMAHP-UK, and Dr. Nicola Ring, Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University. .

Gilmour said, "Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people globally, however, there is no agreed treatment model for treating those who attempt or plan to commit suicide. We must listen to young people in order to develop appropriate interventions.

"We have synthesized the results of four studies conducted in three different countries to establish common themes and concepts.We have found that in general, suicidal children and youth do not know where and how to get healthy. help, they can not access help directly, and when they see a mental health practitioner, they often do not feel listened to.

"We also identified a silence about suicidality in children's and youth's conversations with mental health practitioners and in academic research aimed at exploring the point of view of youth." The use of the term "self-harm" "To designate suicidal behaviors potentially contributes to this science by avoiding the word" suicide ".

The team used a methodology, called meta-ethnography, which involves systematically comparing conceptual data from primary qualitative studies to identify and develop new concepts, theories and global models. It allows researchers to combine the results of qualitative studies rather than focusing on individual cases.

They applied meta-ethnography to four studies conducted since 2006 in three different countries and 44 people aged 11 to 24 years. The approach focused on the experiences of suicidal children and adolescents with mental health services.

Ms. Gilmour added, "The development of treatment models and interventions to support this vulnerable population needs to be informed by the perspectives and experiences of children and suicidal youth.

"Our research will help inform the development of such models, provide vital information to practitioners supporting this vulnerable population, and serve as a basis for future research on this topic."

###

The document, Review: The views and experiences of suicidal children and youth in mental health support services: a meta? Ethnography, is published in Mental health of children and adolescents.

Ms. Gilmour is a PhD student, funded by the Council of Economic and Social Research.