Citation

Peterson DH, Collings SC. Crisis 2015; 36(3): 173-178.

Affiliation

1 Social Psychiatry and Population Mental Health Research Unit, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000308

PMID

26088825

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The role of self-management of suicidality was investigated as part of a larger qualitative study of suicidality among people with experience of mental illness in New Zealand. AIMS: To understand how people self-manage suicidality, why they self-manage, and the effects that self-management may have on suicidal thoughts and behavior.

METHOD: Twenty seven people with experience of mental illness and suicidality were interviewed. A narrative thematic analysis was performed.

RESULTS: People had either drifted into self-management (while still using or instead of using mental health services) or chosen self-management because they were unhappy with mental health services, desired independence, or had difficulty accessing services. Self-management of suicidality included: using active ways to reduce, distract, and protect themselves from suicidal thoughts and feelings; practical ways of looking after themselves; reframing thoughts; getting to know themselves better; and peer support.

CONCLUSION: Self-management of suicidality can encourage independence and resilience, a sense of citizenship, mutuality, and achievement.

Language: en