Criminal Defense Attorneys and Client Suicide: Survey and Recommendations From Washington State

The connection between suicide and incarceration is well documented, in particular after recent arrest. Criminal defense attorneys may be one of the few people in meaningful contact with this population, and lawyers have a unique window into their clients' well-being. In this Viewpoint, we explore the experiences of attorneys who work with clients with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We developed and administered a survey to criminal defense attorneys in the State of Washington, ascertaining their experiences with client suicide. A total of 44 responses were collected, with over 95% of respondents having been concerned about a client's risk for suicide. We conclude that client suicide widely impacts criminal defense attorneys, and lawyers' role with justice-involved clients uniquely positions them to be a potential asset in suicide prevention efforts.

Exploring the Role of Age and Gender on the Impact of Client Suicide in Mental Health Practitioners

Objective: Previous research has revealed that mental health professionals (MHPs) often experience severe, yet varying, levels of short-term impact in the aftermath of client suicide. Individual differences are significant, yet what factors help explain these differences remains unclear. The current study investigated the role of the MHPs' and the clients' age and gender upon the impact of client suicide. Method: An international sample of 213 MHPs, aged between 18 and 75, reported on a client's suicide and its short-term impact (IES-R). Results: The results indicate that both MHPs' and clients' gender did not affect impact. MHPs' and clients' age did not affect impact individually, although a significant interaction effect was revealed. Conclusion: Age, not gender, of the MHP and client are relevant in light of the impact of client suicide. Potential implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Suicide Exposure and the Impact of Client Suicide: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

OBJECTIVE

Client suicide, used to refer to situations where a mental health practitioner (MHP) is exposed, affected, or bereaved by a client's suicide, is known to have a profound impact on MHPs. The current study investigated (1) the short- and long-term impact of client suicide and (2) to what extent gender, years of experience, therapeutic background, and exposure to suicidality predicted impact.

METHODS

An international sample of 213 mental health practitioners completed an online survey on the impact of client suicide.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Overall, results indicate MHPs are significantly affected by client suicide. A two-factor model in which impact of client suicide was predicted by two latent variables, MHP Characteristics and Exposure to Suicidality, explained 43% of short-term, 69% of long-term emotional, and 60% of long-term professional impact. Whereas MHP characteristics did not significantly predict any of the three impact variables (ps >.05), Exposure to Suicidality significantly predicted all three outcome variables (ps <.001). Interestingly, lived experience or exposure to suicidality of friends/family members predicted more impact, while exposure to suicidality at work predicted less impact of client suicide. Implications for both research and clinical practice are discussed.HIGHLIGHTSMHPs are significantly affected by client suicide;Previous exposure to suicidality predicts the impact of client suicide;MHP characteristics do not predict the impact of client suicide.

Workplace Responses and Psychologists' Needs Following Client Suicide

This research aimed to explore the role of workplace responses in psychologists' adaptation to client suicides. Participants were 178 psychologists who completed an online self-report questionnaire which included both open and closed questions yielding qualitative and quantitative data. Fifty-six (31.5%) participants reported one or more client suicides. Mixed results were found in terms of perceived support from the workplace following a client suicide. Psychologists reported a need for more open communication in the workplace, peer supports, space to grieve, as well as opportunities to engage in a learning process. The findings have important implications for research and for understanding the role of the workplace postvention. It also raises the need for external support to be accessible for psychologists working in private practice.