Psychosocial Interventions for Suicide Attempts in Emergency Departments: A Social Work Perspective
Psychosocial Interventions for Suicide Attempts in Emergency Departments: A Social Work Perspective

Summary/Abstract: Suicide attempts are among the most frequently encountered psychosocial crises in emergency departments, and timely intervention is vital for preserving life and preventing further risk. Social workers are integral members of multidisciplinary emergency teams due to their training and competencies in addressing the psychosocial determinants of suicidal behavior. However, in Türkiye, the role of social workers in suicide prevention and emergency department practices remains limited due to challenges related to institutional role clarity, staffing, training, and systemic functioning. This review aims to examine current clinical and psychosocial procedures applied to individuals presenting to emergency departments following suicide attempts and to clarify the roles and functions of social workers within these processes. Literature was reviewed to analyze intervention stages, existing social work practices, challenges, and gaps in education and policy. Findings indicate that social workers play a critical role particularly in psychosocial suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention, support and empowerment, interagency collaboration, and referral processes. The paper provides recommendations for standardizing social work interventions in emergency departments, strengthening social work curricula, and integrating a social work perspective into suicide prevention policies.

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