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- Hedman, Karl, 1967-
(author)
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Interagency collaboration in suicide prevention
- 2023
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background—Drawing on interagency collaboration theory, the aim ofthis study was to examine interagency collaboration in suicide prevention, intervention, and crisis support coordinated by the fire service in Sweden.Methods—Interviews and observations was conducted in ethnographic fieldwork in three Swedish fire stations.Results—The findings demonstrated six central parts in the interagency collaboration in suicide prevention: (1) a shared suicide incident plan for the emergency center, police, ambulance and fire and rescue service, (2) a municipality action plan supported by the Swedish Law of protection against accidents viewing suicide as a psychological accident, (3) interagency groups working with suicide prevention, (4) proactive education and training of firefighters and the public in Mental Health First Aid and suicide intervention, (5) suicide emergency response efforts carried by the emergency services, and (6) care and crisis support of bereaved families by suicide and first responders exposed to suicide.Conclusions—The immediate benefit of having a shared suicide intervention plan and practice was that the fire stations were many and geographically spread, unlike the police which had fewer police stations. This meant a faster arrival by the fire service at the sites of the suicide emergencies, which saved lives. The personal ties created in the interprofessional groups made it easier to gather resources and cooperate in suicide emergencies. Participants reported the importance of securing continuity and involvement in interagency collaboration and crisis support in suicide prevention
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