Supporting Mental Health Professionals After a Patient Suicide: A Delphi Consensus Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Mental Health Care

Background:

• Patient suicide death (PSD) presents significant challenges for mental health professionals (MHPs).
• Existing research highlights the adverse emotional and cognitive impacts of PSD on MHPs.
• There is a lack of understanding regarding effective organizational support strategies for MHPs after PSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify existing and perceived important support mechanisms for MHPs following PSD.
• To explore barriers that impede organizational support for MHPs after PSD.
• To provide guidance for organizational leaders in supporting MHPs exposed to PSD.

Main Methods:

• A Delphi consensus study was employed.
• Seventeen professionals with workplace postvention experience participated.
• Feedback was gathered on known, important, and lacking support strategies and barriers.

Main Results:

• Essential considerations for organizational leaders were identified.
• Emotionally supportive and personalized options are crucial for MHPs.
• Positive working environments with strong cross-level relationships are beneficial.

Conclusions:

• Organizational leaders play a vital role in supporting MHPs after PSD.
• Effective support involves emotional, personalized, and environmental factors.
• Negative organizational responses (under-response, non-response, punitive actions) act as significant barriers.