Suicide is a major public health issue. In Tunisia, suicide attempts remain a taboo subject, scarcely explored in the literature, particularly from the perspective of patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs).

To explore the perceptions of suicide survivors hospitalized in ICUs regarding nurses’ caring behaviors and to assess their satisfaction.

A descriptive mixed-methods study was conducted at CAMU-Tunis between January and March 2025, involving 40 suicide survivor patients. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 (CBI-24), and semi-structured interviews.

The CBI-24 average scores revealed an overall positive perception (overall score: 3.20/4), with variations across dimensions: “Knowledge and Skill” (3.33), “Assurance” (3.28), “Respectful” (3.18), and “Connectedness” (3.12). Qualitative testimonies nuanced these results, sometimes highlighting a lack of communication or emotional support.

Suicide survivors generally perceive nursing care as compassionate, yet they express a need for greater relational presence. These findings underscore the importance of reinforcing the human dimension of care in ICUs through targeted training and holistic support.