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The development of nurse‐led suicide prevention training for multidisciplinary staff in a North Wales NHS Trust
Author(s) -
JONES R.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01526.x
Subject(s) - multidisciplinary approach , nursing , medicine , nursing staff , psychology , sociology , social science
Accessible summary• Suicide and suicidal behaviour evoke strong feelings. That is so not only for those directly affected – the individual, family and friends, but for professional staff and the community at large. • Assessing the risk of suicide demands staff having the ability to connect and maintain rapport with people in varying degrees of distress. • Multidisciplinary training groups allow staff the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from one another. • Suicide awareness training for non mental health staff in the UK is variable and should be more of a priority.Abstract There are 300 deaths in Wales each year as a result of suicide. Though the rate in England and Wales has fallen in recent years, it is still the second most common cause of death in men aged 15–44 behind accidental death. The majority of those who die by suicide make contact with health professionals within a relatively short time before their death. For those with mental ill health, relationships with professionals appear particularly important; indeed negative relationships have been cited as a key factor precipitating death by suicide. This paper outlines a suicide awareness programme which aims to restate the values of empathy and relationship building in everyday interaction. It acknowledges risk factors and risk assessment tools, but more than anything strives to demonstrate the value of encouraging personal expression in patients.