Navigating the edge: A meta-ethnography of healthcare professionals’ experiences supporting suicidal adolescents

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. Healthcare professionals are paramount in suicide recognition, management, and prevention. Therefore, understanding their experiences is essential to identifying effective strategies as well as healthcare professionals' needs. OBJECTIVE: This review synthesised existing qualitative research on professionals' experiences of supporting adolescents with suicidal thoughts. METHOD: A systematic search of PsycInfo, Medline Complete, Academic Search Ultimate, AMED and CINAHL was completed, resulting in the inclusion of 17 qualitative studies. Studies were synthesised using meta-ethnography. RESULTS: A conceptual model was developed, highlighting three primary areas, including (i) the adolescent's world, (ii) health care professionals as practitioners and people, and (iii) organisational challenges, which interact and influence the therapeutic relationship and professionals' experiences of working with adolescents. CONCLUSION: Clinical implications include the need for training and support for healthcare professionals, holistic and integrative care, and clearer referral pathways to protect healthcare professionals' well-being and improve care provision.