Assessing and Responding to Suicide Risk in Children and Young People: Understanding Views and Experiences of Helpline Staff

A. Jess Williams (), Juliane A. Kloess, Chloe Gill and Maria Michail
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A. Jess Williams: Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Juliane A. Kloess: School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Chloe Gill: Research and Evidence Department, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, London NW1 0AP, UK
Maria Michail: Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: Introduction: Suicide is a key issue impacting children and young people. Helplines offer unique benefits, such as anonymity, varied communication avenues and low cost, which help to promote help-seeking behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of helpline organisations of identifying, assessing, and managing suicide risk among children and young people. Methods: Thirteen professionals from three UK-based helplines and online counselling services took part in semi-structured interviews between November 2020 and January 2021 via Zoom. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes were identified: (i) Starting conversations about suicide; (ii) Identifying and responding to “imminent” suicide risk; and (iii) Responses to suicide risk in relation to safeguarding. Limitations: Recruitment was limited by COVID-19 due to the demands needed from helplines at this time. Conclusions: Our findings highlight not only the different types and range of services helpline organisations offer to young people who might be at risk of suicide, but most importantly the distinct role they have in young people’s help-seeking pathway.

Keywords: suicide; helplines; counselling; thematic analysis; interviews (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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