Reactions of Mental Health Social Workers Following a Client Suicide Completion: a Qualitative Investigation

This qualitative study examined the impact of client suicide on social workers. Results indicate that social workers experience multiple personal & professional reactions immediately following a client death by suicide. Long-term effects, such as the continual experience of emotional reactions & permanent behaviour changes, including changing practice strategies, are also reported. The results of this study have significant implications for the preparation of social workers & other mental health therapists for practice with suicidal clients. (LC) (31 refs)