Work

Best-practice recommendations for campus-based suicide postvention intervention at a South African university in the Western Cape: An expert consensus study

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The suicide of students on university campuses has significant impacts for students and staff. South African universities are not excluded from this impact. This study aimed to identify best-practice recommendations for a suicide postvention intervention programme at a South African university. In a single-round consensus study, suicide-bereaved students (N = 25) and staff (N = 21) at the university rated 126 statements in an online questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale from “essential” to “should not be included.” Agreement between the two groups was significant regarding the most highly rated statements. The most highly rated statements for both groups generated six core themes: providing culturally competent and religiously sensitive support to bereaved families; respecting family’s wishes while meeting the university’s needs; connecting students to available support; staff training needs; clear procedural guidance for staff and mourning and remembering the deceased student.

Source: Death Studies

DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2437475

Authors: Sophia-Lorraine Noxolo Allie, Jason Bantjes, Karl Andriessen

Institutions: Stellenbosch University, South African Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town, The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Research Foundation, South African Medical Research Council, Medical Research Council, Division of Research Capacity Development