Circumstances and underlying causes of suicidal attempts in teen patients of mental health facilities – a psychological perspective
Objective: The paper brings together and summarizes the results of a study carried out in 2011–2015, aimed at analysing circumstances and reasons underlying adolescent suicidal attempts. Material and methods: The studied group comprised 115 patients hospitalised due to having attempted suicide, ag...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.
2016-09-01
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| Series: | Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.psychiatria.com.pl/index.php/wydawnictwa/2016-vol-16-no-3/circumstances-and-underlying-causes-of-suicidal-attempts-in-teen-patients-of-mental-health-facilities-a-psychological-perspective?aid=596 |
| Summary: | Objective: The paper brings together and summarizes the results of a study carried out in 2011–2015, aimed at analysing
circumstances and reasons underlying adolescent suicidal attempts. Material and methods: The studied group comprised
115 patients hospitalised due to having attempted suicide, aged 13–19 years old, based in 3 voivodeships, namely
the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Lubelskie Voivodeship, and Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The results of the study have been
subject to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Our analysis has demonstrated that in the opinion of 95% of
the patients another suicide previously committed in their environment inspired their own suicidal attempt. A significant
proportion of the participants of the study (88%) claims suicidal behaviours in a person’s environment to be conducive to
similar behaviours not only in adolescents, but across all age groups alike. A majority of participants have admitted
possessing a lack of sufficient knowledge concerning mental health and wellbeing. Nor do they receive effective help,
feeling emotional distress, yet failing to meet with any response on the part of their relatives and friends, who seem not
to take teenagers’ psychological condition seriously. Suicidal and depressive disposition is commonly regarded as a sign
of mere moodiness, fanciness, being spoilt, or being prone to playing practical jokes. According to the majority of
the participants (71%), their relatives had directly influenced their decision to attempt suicide. As much as 88%
of the responses provided in the study indicated causes stemming from inadequate communication. Teenagers’ attempts
to talk about death-related issues (suicidal issues) failed, not being met with understanding on the part of their parents
and other caregivers. Conclusions: There is a need for education, prophylaxis, and raising social awareness concerning
the problem of suicides. Education on a broad scale is necessary to enable unobstructed access to important information,
inter alia through cultural and social events, preventive campaigns, workshops, voluntary help, media etc. |
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| ISSN: | 1644-6313 2451-0645 |