Background: Death is not only an ending: it is also a beginning for the survivors. Early support can ease suicide victim survivors grieving and reduce the risk of negatively impacting one's mental health. However, knowledge is scant regarding this need and regarding the vital role that prehospital care can have in supporting survivors to regain their footing in life.
Aim: To describe the care of suicide victim survivors from the perspectives of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, police officers and general practitioners.
Design: Qualitative descriptive study.
Method: Six focus group discussions with EMS personnel, police officers and general practitioners (n = 26), were conducted in a Swedish county. Data were analysed using content analysis.
Results: The EMS personnel, police officers and general practitioners described their situation as being characterised by feelings of inadequacy as they faced the survivors’ emotional storm and despair. They made attempts to shield themselves and also the survivors. Focus was on the survivors, to give time, to be accessible and to find a person who could continue providing support. The professionals experienced a deep sense of uncertainty about their responsibility and feeling torn in their professional role and a frustration over lack of guidelines.
Conclusions: This complex situation involves not only the ethical conflict of ‘should I stay or should I go’, i.e. whether to take responsibility or not, but also each professional’s capacity and courage to give compassionate care.