Caring for adolescents with suicidal and self-harm behaviors: the perspective from professionals of an intersectoral service network

Abstract

It aimed to analyze how professionals from an intersectoral service network develop care actions for adolescents with suicidal and self-injurious behaviors. This is a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out through notes in the field diary and semi-structured interviews with 22 professionals linked to social assistance, education and health services in a large municipality in northeastern Brazil. Data collection took place from August to September 2021. The speeches were subjected to content analysis in the inductive thematic modality, with support from the Nvivo 11 Pro software. Given this, two categories emerged: intersectoral network care strategies and weaknesses in care. Professionals perceive adolescents as subjects who need support for their psychological suffering. In this way, they develop, as the main care strategies, reception and prevention activities, on a punctual basis. However, the care network appears to be insufficient, due to the scarcity of child and youth policies and specialized services, in addition to difficulties in practicing intersectorality. It is concluded that the care offered to adolescents is fragile and requires the strengthening of transversal public policies, expansion of primary/specialized services and intersectoral work.

Keywords:
Adolescent’s health; Self-harm behaviors; Suicide; Intersectoral collaboration; Qualitative Research