Adolescent suicidal behaviour in the 'lost city' : the experiences of mental health workers

• Main Author: Welsh, Merran
• Other Authors: Swartz, Leslie
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13859

Bibliography: leaves 86-99. === This study examines the high levels of anxiety and stress of mental health workers when dealing with cases involving adolescent suicidal behaviour. Mental health workers including nursing sisters, social workers and paraprofessionals were interviewed: Initially an unstructured interview schedule was used to explore the nature of adolescent suicidal behaviour in the course of their work. A semi-structured interview schedule, using focus groups was utilised to elicit the experiences and reactions of mental health workers to adolescent suicidal behaviour. A year after the initial interviews a few respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The aim was to evaluate the effects of the research intervention. A thematic analysis highlights factors which disorganise the work of mental health professionals and paraprofessionals and contribute to their high levels of anxiety and stress.