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They Told Me “This Isn’t a Hotel”: Young People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Care When Presenting to the Emergency Department with Suicide-Related Behaviour

Author

Listed:
  • Jacinta Freeman

    (Telethon Kids Institute, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Penelope Strauss

    (Telethon Kids Institute, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
    Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Sharynne Hamilton

    (Telethon Kids Institute, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
    Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Charlotte Pugh

    (Telethon Kids Institute, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Katherine Browne

    (Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia, 469 Wellington Street, Perth, WA 6000, Australia)

  • Suzanne Caren

    (Headspace, 64 Morrison Road, Midland, WA 6056, Australia)

  • Chris Harris

    (Mineral Resources Limited, 1 Sleat Road, Applecross, WA 6153, Australia)

  • Lyn Millett

    (Australian Childhood Foundation, P.O. Box 3485, East Perth, WA 6892, Australia
    Cochair Youth Mental Health Subnetwork, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Warwick Smith

    (Cochair Youth Mental Health Subnetwork, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Ashleigh Lin

    (Telethon Kids Institute, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
    Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia)

Abstract

In Australia, the number of young people presenting to the emergency department with mental health concerns, in particular, suicidal behaviour (defined here as suicidal ideation, thoughts, intent and attempts) is increasing. Little is known about the experiences of Australian young people who present to hospital emergency departments with suicidal behaviour. In this qualitative study, we conducted a series of focus groups with 55 young people aged 16–25 years, with a view to developing a framework for youth suicide prevention for Western Australia. The data were analysed using a general inductive analysis approach. We explored the experiences and perceptions of the care and management of 35 young people presenting to Western Australian hospital emergency departments. Participants described a range of negative experiences relating to the emergency department environment, staff attitudes and their treatment by staff. We argue that adapting ED practices and approaches to young people presenting with suicidal thoughts and behaviours based on these findings will result in lower rates of repeated presentations and admissions to hospital and lower rates of suicide attempts and deaths by suicide.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacinta Freeman & Penelope Strauss & Sharynne Hamilton & Charlotte Pugh & Katherine Browne & Suzanne Caren & Chris Harris & Lyn Millett & Warwick Smith & Ashleigh Lin, 2022. "They Told Me “This Isn’t a Hotel”: Young People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Care When Presenting to the Emergency Department with Suicide-Related Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1377-:d:734880
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sadhbh J. Byrne & India Bellairs-Walsh & Simon M. Rice & Sarah Bendall & Michelle Lamblin & Emily Boubis & Brianna McGregor & Meghan O’Keefe & Jo Robinson, 2021. "A Qualitative Account of Young People’s Experiences Seeking Care from Emergency Departments for Self-Harm," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Perry, Amanda & Lawrence, Vanessa & Henderson, Claire, 2020. "Stigmatisation of those with mental health conditions in the acute general hospital setting. A qualitative framework synthesis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
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