Medical staff ‘negative, angry, irritated’ towards patients who have attempted suicide

People who have attempted suicide described the treatment they received from medical staff as “negative, angry and irritated”, according to a new report, raising concerns some patients are not getting proper care.

Dr Fiona Shand from the Black Dog Institute and the Centre for Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention conducted the first study into people presenting to Australian health services following a suicide attempt.

“Many patients said when they did seek help, many medical staff harboured negative attitudes, anger, or irritation towards patients who have attempted suicide,” she said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows suicide rates in Australian have increased, up from 2,132 in 2009 to more than 2,500 in 2012.

More than 60,000 Australians make a suicide attempt each year.

“Many health professionals are committed to providing good care to those experiencing mental illness and suicidal thoughts,” Dr Shand said.

“Nevertheless, they work within a health system which is under stress and where staff are increasingly stretched in their efforts to meet the expectations of the system and their patients.”

Common feedback from people who attempted suicide include:

• Dismay that doctors had not attempted to get to unlock the underlying cause of the suicide attempt
• Poor staff attitudes towards the patient
• Inadequate staff knowledge about suicide
• Being discharged too rapidly
• Not being followed up after discharge from hospital, and not having their emotional distress attended to

Patients ‘horrified’ by their experience in hospitals

One of those patients interviewed for the Black Dog report felt dismayed there was no attempt by health personnel to work out what was actually wrong.

“Many assumptions were made about me because of my age, gender, family’s higher income and my own qualifications, which led to a superficial assessment and swift discharge with no follow-up care other than what I decided to arrange myself,” the patient said.

One respondent said: “If this experience were to happen to someone I care about, I would be horrified.”

Another patient reported: “All my experiences have been very traumatic after the attempt. I am now afraid to tell anyone I would like to know why I suddenly feel suicidal … I would like people to treat me with the same respect as a patient having a heart attack.”

The report found dissatisfaction with emergency department care after a suicide attempt was particularly low.

“This is concerning given that emergency departments are the first point of contact for many people and lower satisfaction,” Dr Shand said.

Those who did receive good mental health treatment felt they were “lucky”.

The findings are worrying because a previous suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors of future attempts.

One patient’s story: Shannai Pearce

Shannai Pearce knows all too well how bad some medical treatment can be.

Now in her early 20s, she was first diagnosed with depression when she was 14 and attempted suicide at 15.

“I was taken to Manly Hospital and put in a room with a security guard outside,” she said.

“I was given sleeping tablets, then discharged without seeing a doctor or getting help.”

She was horrified when she was discharged to a social worker, who took her to community housing youth hostel.

“I was put in a youth refuge and told if I attempted suicide again, I would lose my accommodation,” she said.

Two years ago, through the assistance of good friends, she made the decision to reach out for help and receive treatment.

“With some incredibly supportive people, my life has turned around and I can now manage my depression,” she said.

Shannai is now at university and works as a youth ambassador for the Black Dog Institute.

“It’s taken a while but after seeing a number of different GPs, I finally have one who understands and is very supportive,” she said.