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When a colleague commits suicide. Interview by Bruce P. Mericle
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Psychiatric nurses experience complex emotions when a colleague dies by suicide. Open communication and seeking mental health support are crucial for professional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Nursing
Background:
- Psychiatric nurses experience a range of emotions, similar to patients, when a colleague dies by suicide.
- Professional roles may lead to denial of feelings or a desire to appear immune to mental health issues.
Discussion:
- It is vital for psychiatric nurses to acknowledge and process their feelings following a colleague's suicide.
- Sharing experiences and allowing oneself to feel emotions is essential, recognizing the individual's ultimate responsibility for suicide.
Key Insights:
- Psychiatric nurses, like all individuals, are susceptible to emotional distress following traumatic events.
- Acknowledging and validating feelings of guilt and grief is a critical step in the healing process.
Outlook:
- Psychiatric nursing must foster an environment where seeking mental health services is normalized and encouraged.
- Promoting help-seeking behavior reinforces the idea that experiencing mental health problems is acceptable and seeking support is a sign of strength.