Professional reactions and changes in practice following patient suicide: what do we know about mental health professionals’ profiles?

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze and describe the profiles of mental health professionals and their relationship to professional reactions and changes in working practice following a patient suicide. Design/methodology/approach – Data from 713 mental health professionals working in various institutional settings and in private practice in French-speaking Switzerland were collected by written questionnaires. Findings – Four distinct profiles with low to moderate professional reactions and changes in working practice were identified by cluster analysis. The type and intensity of relationship between professional and patient, and psychological and/or social support following the patient suicide were the most discriminant factors of the four profiles. Originality/value – The findings contribute to the understanding of professional consequences of patient suicide on mental health professionals.