Abstract
M.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing)
Suicide is the intentional, self-induced action leading to death - an action regarded by
the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the third largest cause of death among
people under the age of 20 years in the Western World. In South Africa the
occurrence of suicide has risen from'0,73 percent of the population in 1987 to 1,12
percent.
Suicide has both financial and emotional implications for the community, who pays
for it, either directly or indirectly. Suicides and attempted suicides place a burden on
the health system and the public by way of higher taxes, increased medical fund
contributions and higher insurance premiums. Health and welfare costs escalate
because disability pensions are paid of work functions have become impeded in cases
where suicide attempts have failed and for the rehabilitation (physical and
psychological) of the person whose suicide attempt has failed, as well as for the
surviving members of a family where a suicide attempt was successful.
Between seven ten people are affected by every person who commits suicide. Not
only do they experience shock, denial and helplessness as in the case of a 'normal'
death, but also feelings of anger guilt and emotional distress, together with the
development of physical symptoms. They become anxious, weepy and are afraid to
be alone. They tend to use more sedatives and, tragically, become higher suicide risks
themselves than the average population.
Therefore, suicide is not only the beginning of an unprepared, intense grief reaction,
but also a psychiatric trauma which leaves people emotionally vulnerable and thereby
negatively influences their quest for wholeness.
People close to suicide victims require the mobilisation of resources to facilitate their
quest for wholeness. This study is aimed at exploring the experiences of people close
to suicide victims and to determine guidelines for supporting people close to suicide
victims, to enable to nurse and mobilise the resources that will facilitate their quest
for wholeness.
The researcher used the Nursing for the Whole Person Theory as a point of departure.
The research is of an exploratory and descriptive nature and contextually bond due to
the fact that an effort was made to obtain new perceptions and understanding of the
experiences of people close to suicide victims. A phenomenological method of naive
sketches was used to obtain data. The random sample population consisted of ten
participants obtained by way of purposive, convenient random test and which
complied with specific selection criteria. Data was analysed by way of content
analysis. The experiences of persons close to suicide victims are contained in experiences in the
internal environment, the external environment and patterns of interaction according
to the results of the research and a literary control.
Certain themes are identified according to which guidelines can be set, namely: chaos
immediately after being notified of the suicide, avoidance and denial as defence
mechanisms, deranged perceptions concerning the suicide, mixed feelings, the
development of empathy, a need for reason and meaning in the suicide, disturbed
relationships, a need for ventilating and the occurrence of questions concerning the
suicide.
Guidelines for support are discussed in three phases of support. The first phase entails
support immediately after being notified of the suicide, the second phase offers
support by way of helping the persons close to the suicide victim to integrate the
reality of the suicide, while the third phase of support addresses the lengthened grief
process. General information, non-professional support and professional support are
regarded as sources of support.