Emergency First Responders' Misconceptions about Suicide: A Descriptive Study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Emergency Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Suicide is a leading cause of death in Spain, particularly among young adults.
• Emergency first responders play a crucial role in suicide prevention and intervention.
• Understanding misconceptions among responders is vital for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of suicide myths among emergency first responders.
• To identify specific false beliefs held by these professionals.
• To inform targeted training programs for improved suicide response.

Main Methods:

• An observational, descriptive study was conducted.
• A questionnaire assessing 25 suicide-related myths (true/false) was administered.
• 543 emergency first responders with pre-, during-, and post-suicide attempt intervention experience participated.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of responders accepted the myth that "There are more serious and less serious problems."
• This suggests a potential bias in prioritizing patient care based on perceived problem severity.
• Common myths, including "The suicidal person wants to die" and "The suicidal person is determined to die," were also prevalent.

Conclusions:

• First responders' subjective beliefs about suicide can influence their actions and patient care.
• There is a clear need for comprehensive training on suicidal behavior for emergency personnel.
• Effective training can foster appropriate approaches to individuals experiencing suicidal crises.