Imaginário coletivo de profissionais da saúde de unidade de terapia intensiva em relação a pacientes com comportamento suicida

Abstract

Suicide is a complex, universal human phenomenon and represents a major public health problem throughout the world. Our objective was to investigate the collective imagination of health professionals in an Intensive Care Unit regarding patients with suicidal behavior. In this qualitative study, 18 professionals from different categories participated in an Intensive Care Unit of a Clinical Hospital. We carried out individual interviews and the Drawing-Story with Theme Procedure was used as a facilitating strategy. From the interpretation and psychoanalytic analysis of the results, three fields of meaning were identified: (1) “Not finding oneself”; (2) “Speech as a taboo” and (3) “Hard climate”. The results obtained demonstrated that the participants' collective imagination is still permeated by stigmas and taboos, which creates difficulties in care and emotional unpreparedness when dealing with patients with suicidal behavior. Health professionals perceive patients with suicidal behavior as lost and in great suffering. They also claim that they do not feel capable and prepared for this type of care, highlighting their lack of preparation for listening to these individuals who attempt suicide. We noticed a prevalence in biological and physical care and the existence of stigmas and prejudices related to the context of mental health. This research brings reflections on assistance that is still very limited, in the predominant biomedical model and the need for training and campaigns that encourage dialogue about mental health in order to change perspectives and help health professionals feel safer and more capable. It was also noticed the existence of suffering and a lack of space for professionals to speak that underlie the technical conducts, which awakens a need for a more careful and sensitive look at the healthcare.