ABSTRACT
Recent studies on the impact of client suicide on mental health professionals focus on psychiatrists and psychologists, while,in the current mental health system in our country, most clients receive services from other clinicians. This research focuses on the impact of client suicide on social workers and counselors as well as organizational responses to client suicide/attempt. Data were collected via interviews and survey of 121 clinicians. Client suicide impacts clinicians adversely in many ways. Many participants felt their agency/practice could have done more to support them during post-suicide management. Data presented in this report have the potential to aid in the creation of needed workforce development initiatives.
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge the following study epidemiologists for their efforts in data collection and data organization: Lisa M. Belton, MSW, Joseph Cummins, MA, Beth E. Gersper, MPA, Lauren R. Thorp, MS, Ashley L. Wickerham, MSW, and Celia Williamson, PhD. We would also like to acknowledge Scott Wingenfeld, MPA of OhioMHAS’ Office of Quality, Planning, and Research for his assistance in data collection and Becca Beech, student intern from The Ohio State University, for her assistance in data transcription and thematic analysis.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.