ERIC Number: ED643041
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 180
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-4387-5797-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
School Suicide Postvention: A Phenomenological Study of Perceptions of School Mental Health Professionals
Jamie Michelle Hall
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The Ohio State University
Suicide is a complex phenomenon that deeply impacts the lives of those it touches. Approximately one million people die by suicide globally every year. One group that is increasingly susceptible to suicidal thoughts and behaviors are youth and adolescents. Although there are plenty of statistics regarding suicide rates and trends, there is a dearth of research on suicide postvention programming, specifically in the context of K-12 schools. The term "postvention" describes preplanned supports and activities that are implemented in the aftermath of a suicide death. The current study is a phenomenological, qualitative research study, which employed semi-structured interviews of a select group of school mental health professionals who have participated in the provision of school suicide postvention services. Participants met the following eligibility criteria: school mental health professionals such as school psychologists, school counselors, and school social workers who have worked in a school that has lost a current student to suicide; and have directly participated in the provision of suicide postvention services within the past five years, but not within the past 6 months. A method of data analysis delineated by Moustakas (1994) was utilized to analyze the data obtained in this study. Results of the current study found several themes that emerged across participants, including: the importance of timing, of community support, and of an updated, relevant crisis plan. Two additional themes included negative impact on school staff and addressing student pain and anger. Implications, study limitations, and perspective of the researcher are also provided. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Suicide, Prevention, Health Promotion, Intervention, School Health Services, Allied Health Personnel, Time, Community Involvement, Crisis Management, School Personnel, Student Needs, Coping
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A