“You get tired of remaining in a state of fear“- professionals’ experiences of self-care facing suicidality in psychiatric wards

ABSTRACT

Aim

The aim of this study is to explore mental healthcare professionals (MHCPs) experiences related to own emotions when encountering patients at risk of suicide in psychiatric wards and their family members.

Methodology and methods, participants and research context

This study has a qualitative explorative design. Data consist of texts from twelve in-depth interviews with MHCPs belonging to six units in two psychiatric wards. Data were interpreted using a hermeneutical approach based on Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics.

Findings

Through an interpretation process, three themes emerged: Enduring own emotions, Balancing emotional engagement and the need to rest, and Being together in the community of colleagues.

Conclusion

This study shows the importance of being aware of own anxiety facing suicidality. MHCPs have to work emotionally and cognitively so that care is not guided by anxiety but by collaboration with the patient and his family members. The study highlights the need for a culture in the mental health service in which the MHCP can reflect on own emotional reactions and thoughts in a collegial environment characterized by openness, generosity and collaboration.

KEYWORDS:

• Suicide behaviours
• suffering
• psychiatric wards
• professionals’ experiences
• self-care
• hermeneutics

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to the twelve participants who shared their experiences and thereby made this study possible. We also want to thank the members of the resource group: Valborg Sandvold Bertelsen, The Norwegian Organization for the Suicide Bereaved, Inger Hagen, Family Centre for Carers in Oslo, Kristin Østlie, Psychologist, PhD, and Thea Røstbakken, Norwegian Association of Youth Mental Health, for making important comments on the process and results throughout the entire study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contribution

Project leader: MV. Study design: MV, VL, DN. Data collection: MV. Analysis: MV, VL, DN. Manuscript preparation: MV. Critical revisions for important intellectual content: MV, VL, DN. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any funding.

Notes on contributors

May Elise Vatne

May Elise Vatne Associate professor, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo, Norway. Postbox 4, St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo, Norway - e-mail: [email protected] Mobil + 4741302944

Vibeke Lohne

Vibeke Lohne Professor Nursing Science, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo, Norway. Postbox 4, St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo, Norway - e-mail: [email protected]

Dagfinn Nåden

Dagfinn Nåden Professor Nursing Science, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Health, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo, Norway. Postbox 4, St. Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo, Norway - e-mail: [email protected]