Open AccessPsychosocial Support Provided by Health Volunteer for Older Adult with Depression and Suicide Attempt: A Case Study
Author(s) -
Saifon Aekwarangkoon,
Naiyaoonil,
Rewwadee Petsirasan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
walailak journal of science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.146
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2228-835X
pISSN - 1686-3933
DOI - 10.48048/wjst.2019.4053
Subject(s) - psychosocial , depression (economics) , social support , empowerment , psychology , suicide prevention , psychiatry , gerontology , poison control , clinical psychology , medicine , medical emergency , social psychology , political science , law , economics , macroeconomics
Depression causes major disabilities and can lead to suicide among older adults in Thai rural communities. A case study was used to present the psychosocial support provided by a health volunteer to an older adult suffering from depression and attempted suicide. Content analysis was applied to analyze the data. The results revealed that the psychosocial support given by the health volunteer consisted of 4 processes; 1) support and motivation to keep alive, 2) encouragement for a new life, 3) empowerment for life change, and 4) evaluation of the change process. These processes not only help mitigate patients’ symptoms of depression and possible suicide risks but also prove to promote psychological well-being. The patient outcome benefits indicated sustainability over the course of 18 months.