title: Suicide and the air force mental health provider: frequency and impact.
abstract: Although suicide is relatively common among mental health patients, few studies have been published detailing the effects of a patient's suicide on his or her mental health provider. We reviewed data from 97 active duty, Air Force, mental health providers who responded to an anonymous survey. Forty-eight percent of the providers had experienced a patient's suicide. One-third of them reported a sense of responsibility for that patient's death. More than 20% reported significant emotional or behavioral changes following the death. Many providers experienced alterations in their self-esteem and their use of peer consultation following the suicide. Speaking to clergy members, friends, and other providers was generally beneficial following the suicide of a patient. Recommendations are given to minimize the impact of this tragedy on providers.
authors.affiliation: 88th Medical Operations Squadron, Life Skills Support Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433, USA.
authors.forename: Randon S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Welton
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Blackman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D008890:Military Psychiatry; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012944:Social Support; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric; D013405:Suicide; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce