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Working with Young People at Risk of Suicidal Behaviour and Self-Harm: A Qualitative Study of Australian General Practitioners’ Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • India Bellairs-Walsh

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Sadhbh J. Byrne

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
    S.J.B. is now at Trinity College Dublin; K.K. is now at the School of Population and Global Health, the University of Melbourne; T.Y.L. is now at Townsville University Hospital.)

  • Sarah Bendall

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Yael Perry

    (Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Karolina Krysinska

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    Centre for Mental Health, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    S.J.B. is now at Trinity College Dublin; K.K. is now at the School of Population and Global Health, the University of Melbourne; T.Y.L. is now at Townsville University Hospital.)

  • Ashleigh Lin

    (Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Maria Michail

    (School of Psychology, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Michelle Lamblin

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Tina Yutong Li

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Townsville University Hospital, Douglas, QLD 4814, Australia
    S.J.B. is now at Trinity College Dublin; K.K. is now at the School of Population and Global Health, the University of Melbourne; T.Y.L. is now at Townsville University Hospital.)

  • Sarah Hetrick

    (Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand)

  • Jo Robinson

    (Orygen, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

Abstract

General Practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in the identification and support of young people at risk of suicidal behaviour and self-harm; however, no studies have explored GPs’ perspectives, approaches, challenges, and resource needs when working with this cohort in an Australian setting. This was a qualitative study where fifteen GPs ( M age = 45.25 years) from multiple clinics in Western Australia took part in semi-structured interviews, and data were analysed thematically. Seven main themes were identified: (1) working with young people has its unique challenges; (2) screening and assessment tools can help to manage uncertainty and discomfort; (3) going beyond tools–the dialogue and relationship are most important; (4) there are limits to what we can offer in the time available; (5) the service access and referral pathways lack clarity and coordination; (6) the provision of mental health support should not fall on GPs alone; and (7) more comprehensive training in suicide and self-harm is needed. The findings highlight a number of opportunities to enhance care and better assist GPs working with young people who present with suicidal behaviour and self-harm, including considerations for conducting assessments, targeted resources such as training, and system and service improvements.

Suggested Citation

  • India Bellairs-Walsh & Sadhbh J. Byrne & Sarah Bendall & Yael Perry & Karolina Krysinska & Ashleigh Lin & Maria Michail & Michelle Lamblin & Tina Yutong Li & Sarah Hetrick & Jo Robinson, 2021. "Working with Young People at Risk of Suicidal Behaviour and Self-Harm: A Qualitative Study of Australian General Practitioners’ Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:12926-:d:697412
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew Large & Muthusamy Kaneson & Nicholas Myles & Hannah Myles & Pramudie Gunaratne & Christopher Ryan, 2016. "Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Cohort Studies of Suicide Risk Assessment among Psychiatric Patients: Heterogeneity in Results and Lack of Improvement over Time," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Debra Osborne & Kathleen De Boer & Denny Meyer & Maja Nedeljkovic, 2023. "Raising Suicide in Medical Appointments—Barriers and Facilitators Experienced by Young Adults and GPs: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, January.

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