Psychiatrists’ Experience of a Peer Support Group for Reflecting on Patient Suicide and Homicide: A Qualitative Study

Millie Tamworth (), Helen Killaspy, Jo Billings and Rachel Gibbons
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Millie Tamworth: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London W1T 7NF, UK
Helen Killaspy: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London W1T 7NF, UK
Jo Billings: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London W1T 7NF, UK
Rachel Gibbons: Royal College of Psychiatrists, London E1 8BB, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: There is a lack of support for mental health professionals who experience a patient suicide or homicide. This is despite a high likelihood of such an occurrence and the heavy professional and personal toll the experience can take. We conducted 15 interviews with members of a facilitated peer support group run for consultant psychiatrists who have experienced a patient homicide or suicide. Our interviews explored the trauma of the experience as well as the effectiveness of the group in helping the clinician heal. Our results echoed previous research that the experience can be profoundly traumatic. A professionally facilitated, consultant-only peer group specifically dedicated to suicide and homicide were the key components helping participants to process their grief. Mental health trusts should consider setting up facilitated peer support groups for clinicians who experience patient suicide or homicide.

Keywords: psychiatrists; mental health practitioners; peer-support; postvention; suicide bereavement; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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