An exploratory research on police officers role to reduce adolescents suicide in Guyana

ABSTRACT

This study explores the experiences of police officers who engage with suicidal adolescent callers in Guyana. The aim of this study is to explore the police officers experience in dealing with the adolescents who made a non-fatal attempt to commit suicide. Qualitative data were collected from thirteen female police officers aged 23–51 years who are purposively selected, and who are working with the suicide call center run by the Welfare office of the police department, Guyana. The findings indicate that there is a need for more systematic counseling and support services to reduce the suicide attempt cases. Research reveals that domestic issues, rumors of relationships, verbal abuse by parents, low self-esteem are some of the causes to attempt suicide. Self-care strategies and suggestions were discussed to prevent suicide attempts. The reported psycho-social stress facing suicidal adolescent callers in this study are thus convergent with findings.

KEYWORDS:

• Suicide
• adolescents
• depression
• police officers
• research
• social work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Ethical protocol

This study was approved by the University ethics committee. All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Ethical protocol was strictly observed by the authors. The researcher kept in mind the sensitive nature of research. Therefore, Biestek’s (1961) principles of confidentiality, acceptance non judgment attitude and client’s right to self -determine provided the impetus to facilitate the research process. Emotional issues that came up and had to be addressed urgently were dealt with by utilizing Social Work skills.

Informed consent

‘Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.’

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Professor Anne Marie Bissessar, Dean, Dean’s Office, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad.