Psychosoziale Notfallversorgung nach Suizid und Tötung

Suicide, attempted suicide, homicide, and attempted homicide are indications for the deployment of psychosocial emergency care (psychosoziale Notfallversorgung, PSNV) professionals. Children and adolescents are often affected by these events as relatives and thus fall within the scope of PSNV responsibility.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to collect data on the experiences of PSNV personnel in operations with children and adolescents in the index events of suicide, attempted suicide, homicide, and attempted homicide to identify stresses and strains on the part of the professionals and to derive their possible needs. An online survey was conducted to collect responses from 506 PSNV staff from German-speaking countries and regions. These data were analyzed both descriptively and inferentially.

The majority of PSNV personnel has had experience with the indications suicide, attempted suicide, homicide, and attempted homicide. Operations with these indications are perceived as particularly burdening. Children are often among those affected. The perceived burden on the PSNV personnel is significantly correlated with the desire for more own competences in the area of caring for children and adolescents after these indications. More than 80% of respondents consider the introduction of a central emergency telephone number for these indications to be useful for both families and professionals.

PSNV professionals would like to acquire further competences in the field of psychosocial acute care for children and adolescents after suicide, attempted suicide, homicide, or attempted homicide. Training and further education can benefit not only professionals but also those being cared for. There is a need for immediately accessible specific support for professionals to fall back on.