MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL STAFF: EXPERIENCES WITH, COMPETENCE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS, AND CONCERNS ABOUT INPATIENT SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR

One way of preventing suicidal behavior (SB) has been increasing awareness among health care staff of their own attitudes. However, the low availability of systematic staff-oriented programs on SB and post-suicide care are problematic. Competence and attitudes towards SB among different groups of respondents (i.e., psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, consultants, nurses, social workers, total n=1485) were investigated using an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire The current multicenter study revealed that more than half of psychiatrists had experienced a patient's SB. The majority of the respondents indicated positive attitudes and endorsed the view that SB was preventable. Psychiatric disorders were considered the most common cause of SB, and pharmacotherapy the most appropriate. All professional groups thought that patients with incurable illness should be given help to easy death. All groups reported a moderate interest in more target training. The results indicated that mental health staff require further education on and training in all aspects of SB to provide high-quality care towards suicidents. In the future, practice and clinical protocols aimed at each specialty and their current challenges and needs might be useful.