News

New Research Findings

Dublin, July  2025

Study shows 72% of people supporting those presenting with Suicidal Ideation and Self Harm at Emergency Departments did not receive any information on Suicide Prevention

A recent study carried out by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin together with 3TS (Turn the Tide on Suicide) into the experiences of those who have supported people presenting at Emergency Department with Self Harm and Suicide Related ideation reported that they did not receive any information on suicide prevention (72%) or information on how to support the person following discharge from the ED (71%).

The vast majority - 72% - also reported that no safety plan was developed for the patient. When it came to the issue of treatment provision to the patient in the ED the experiences and perceptions of participants were generally negative. Further findings revealed that over half of the participants reported that they did not believe that staff had the required confidence and skills to care for the person’s mental health presentation, with many providing examples of negative attitudes and poor understanding of self harm and suicidal behaviour.

The survey called Research into Experience and Support Needs of Family/ Supporting Adults Who Accompany Someone Who Presents to the Emergency Department with Self-Harm, Suicide-Related Ideation and Suicide Attempt was carried out by Trinity College School of Nursing & Midwifery led by Louise Doyle, Professor in Mental Health Nursing.

Speaking about the findings, Professor Doyle said “Findings from this study demonstrated the importance of family support of the person who presents with self-harm/suicidal ideation both in the ED, and after discharge. The provision of an emergency safety plan is a recommendation of the NCPSHI”

She continued to note that it was promising to find that over two-thirds of participants (68%) reported that the person they accompanied received an assessment from a mental health clinician while in the ED. “In our study however, over one-quarter reported that the person did not receive a mental health assessment as they were not offered one or the person left without being seen. This remains an important area to target as a thorough biopsychosocial assessment is a key component of the National Clinical Programme for Self Harm and Suicide-Related Ideation (NCPSHI), and an important opportunity for suicide prevention”.

While there was recognition among study participants of the business of staff and the high level of activity, the noisy and crowded environment and long wait times to be seen by a mental health professional were identified as having a negative impact on the patient in distress.

The inappropriateness of the environment for adolescents in particular was identified by parents/guardians and other family members of those adolescents who tried, sometimes in vain, to convince the person to stay for assessment and treatment. Participants expressed frustration and despair at what they perceived to be a lack of appropriate mental health treatment within the ED.

Speaking on behalf of 3TS, Chairman Noel Smyth said “We note that the study reported a need for some instruction for both the patient and the accompanying adult on how to navigate the days following ED presentation particularly while waiting for referral to other services.   

We also note that according to the study ‘a number of participants detailed the impact of the subsequent completed suicide of the person they accompanied to the ED and reported that this traumatic experience was compounded by the perception that the loss of their loved one may have been prevented if appropriate service provision was in place.’

This is an area of critical concern which we as a charity have been highlighting for many years now.  We understand that the ED staff are under pressure all of the time and it is our firm belief that only a dedicated and resourced 24/7 Suicide Emergency Department can adequately address the needs and provide the necessary care for those in crisis” he said.

A full copy of the Study can be viewed here. 

ENDS.

Note to Editors

This new study is Phase 2 in an overall study, Phase 1 of which was published in 2020 into Accessing Help for Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour in the Emergency Department and focused on the experiences of service users.  One of the key recommendations arising from Phase 1 was for the inclusion of Clinical Nurse Specialists in Self-Harm in every hospital to include outside of 9-5 hours.

That Phase 1 study shows that assessment, treatment and follow-up were all generally better when patients were cared for by staff as part of the NCPSHI.

It also identified, from the perspective of the service-user, that families were often left with the ‘burden of observation’ and ‘surveillance’ following self-harm with no information about how best to help, leaving them feeling insecure and uncertain about their own ability to cope or prevent future incidents.

Results for this Phase 2 study demonstrates that (e.g) over half of the participants reported that they did not believe that staff had the required confidence and skills to care for the person’s mental health presentation.

The entire study has been commissioned by 3TS as part of their ongoing commitment to Suicide Prevention and Self Harm research and was carried out by a team of mental health researchers from the Mental Health Nursing Team at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin.

Full Phase 1 Study Results may be viewed here.