GUIMARÃES, Jéssyca Borges. Collective imagination of healthcare professionals intensive care unit in relation to patients with suicidal behavior. 33 f. Master’s Thesis (Professional Master’s in Health Sciences) – Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, 2024.
Available on: https://repositorio.ufu.br/handle/123456789/43739
Objective: Suicide is a complex, universal human phenomenon and represents a major public health problem worldwide. 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. Methods: We carried out individual interviews and the Thematic Drawing-and-Story Procedure [D-E (T)] 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”. Results: The results demonstrated that the participants’ collective imagination is still permeated by stigmas and taboos, creating difficulties in care and emotional unpreparedness when dealing with patients with suicidal behavior. Health professionals perceive these patients 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 training for listening to individuals who attempt suicide. We noticed a prevalence of biological and physical care, and the existence of stigmas and prejudices related to the mental health context. Conclusions: This research brings reflections on assistance that remains very limited within the predominant biomedical model, as well as 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 noted that the existence of suffering and a lack of space for professionals to speak underlie the technical conduct, which highlights the need for a more careful and sensitive approach to healthcare.