Making Sense of Critical Suicide Studies: Metaphors, Tensions, and Futurities

Luiza Cesar Riani Costa () and Jennifer White
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Luiza Cesar Riani Costa: Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís—Monjolinho, São Carlos 13565-905, Brazil
Jennifer White: University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Critical suicide studies is a relatively new area of research, practice, and activism, which we believe can offer creative new vantage points with which to ‘think’ suicide into the future. We present findings from a qualitative research study undertaken to understand how critical suicide studies is being conceptualized by those who draw from this orientation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine scholars, practitioners, activists, and/or those with lived and living experience of suicidality. To analyze the data, we used reflexive thematic analysis and drew on a social constructionist orientation. We discovered that metaphors were an important way of conceptualizing and reflecting upon critical suicide studies. Four themes were generated: critical suicide studies is a site of respite and fortification; critical suicide studies is a felt experience; critical suicide studies is a desire line; critical suicide studies is yearning. We contend that the dominant language available to describe suicide and suicide prevention might not be adequate for expressing the complexities and contradictions of suicide prevention practice or suicide’s ultimate unknowability. We call for more diverse, inclusive, and expansive frameworks for understanding and responding to suicide and show the potential of joining other critical scholars and social movements to build a more just, caring, and inclusive world.

Keywords: suicidology; critical suicide studies; critical qualitative research; reflexive thematic analysis; critical pedagogy; metaphors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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