Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study
Introduction: Lethal means counseling (to reduce access to firearms or other suicide methods) is a recommended critical yet challenging component of care of suicidal patients. Questions remain about communication strategies for those in acute crisis. Methods: This qualitative study was an analysis o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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eScholarship Publishing, University of California
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9pp6f5sx |
| _version_ | 1831748936167063552 |
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| author | Bonnie J. Siry Christopher E. Knoepke Stephanie M. Ernestus Daniel D. Matlock Marian E. Betz |
| author_facet | Bonnie J. Siry Christopher E. Knoepke Stephanie M. Ernestus Daniel D. Matlock Marian E. Betz |
| author_sort | Bonnie J. Siry |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Lethal means counseling (to reduce access to firearms or other suicide methods) is a recommended critical yet challenging component of care of suicidal patients. Questions remain about communication strategies for those in acute crisis. Methods: This qualitative study was an analysis of semi-structured interviews with English-speaking, community-dwelling adults with a history of lived-experience of suicidal ideation or attempts in themselves or a family member. We used a mixed inductive and deductive approach to identify descriptive themes related to communication and decision-making. Results: Among 27 participants, 14 (52%) had personal and 23 (85%) had family experience with suicide ideation or attempts. Emergent themes fell into two domains: (1) communication in a state of high emotionality; and (2) specific challenges in communication: initiating, maintaining engagement, considering context. Conclusion: Engaging suicidal individuals in lethal means counseling may be more effective when messaging and approaches consider their emotional state and communication challenges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T22:01:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a3b25b25f8a44d5aae94fe78c0a60509 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1936-9018 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T22:01:46Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | eScholarship Publishing, University of California |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-a3b25b25f8a44d5aae94fe78c0a605092022-12-21T18:48:49ZengeScholarship Publishing, University of CaliforniaWestern Journal of Emergency Medicine1936-90182021-05-0122310.5811/westjem.2021.8.49485wjem-22-471Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative StudyBonnie J. Siry0Christopher E. Knoepke1Stephanie M. Ernestus2Daniel D. Matlock3Marian E. Betz4University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aurora, ColoradoUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Aurora, ColoradoStonehill College, Department of Psychology, Easton, MassachusettsUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Adult & Child Consortium for Outcomes Research & Delivery Science, Aurora, ColoradoUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Aurora, ColoradoIntroduction: Lethal means counseling (to reduce access to firearms or other suicide methods) is a recommended critical yet challenging component of care of suicidal patients. Questions remain about communication strategies for those in acute crisis. Methods: This qualitative study was an analysis of semi-structured interviews with English-speaking, community-dwelling adults with a history of lived-experience of suicidal ideation or attempts in themselves or a family member. We used a mixed inductive and deductive approach to identify descriptive themes related to communication and decision-making. Results: Among 27 participants, 14 (52%) had personal and 23 (85%) had family experience with suicide ideation or attempts. Emergent themes fell into two domains: (1) communication in a state of high emotionality; and (2) specific challenges in communication: initiating, maintaining engagement, considering context. Conclusion: Engaging suicidal individuals in lethal means counseling may be more effective when messaging and approaches consider their emotional state and communication challenges.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9pp6f5sx |
| spellingShingle | Bonnie J. Siry Christopher E. Knoepke Stephanie M. Ernestus Daniel D. Matlock Marian E. Betz Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| title | Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | lethal means counseling for suicidal adults in the emergency department a qualitative study |
| url | https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9pp6f5sx |
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