Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42455312›Full record

ArticleSocial psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology2026

"What helps?": qualitative analysis of self-management strategies among adults with suicidal distress.

Cassandra Heffernan, Monica Gendi, Michelle Banfield, Dominique Kazan, Susanne Armstrong, Alison L Calear, Katherine Boydell, Hayley Purdon, Philip J Batterham

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Article in Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Cassandra HeffernanCentre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Monica GendiCentre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Michelle BanfieldCentre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Dominique KazanCentre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Susanne Armstrong, Lived experience partner, Brisbane, Australia.
Alison L CalearCentre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Katherine BoydellBlack Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia.
Hayley PurdonLived experience partner, Canberra, Australia.
Philip J BatterhamCentre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. philip.batterham@anu.edu.au.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSelf-management is an important skill for people experiencing suicidal ideation, especially when they are not engaged with mental health services. The present study qualitatively examined what helps people when experiencing suicial thoughts in a large sample of Australian adults with current suicidal ideation.

methodsA large online population-based longitudinal cohort study of Australian adults with suicidal ideation was initiated in 2023. In the baseline survey (July-November 2023), participants were asked, "When you have suicidal thoughts, what helps?" Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.

resultsParticipants (n = 658) reported a wide variety of self-management strategies. Five themes were developed: (1) Reframing or redirecting thoughts as a reminder to live and have hope, (2) Balancing between staying connected and the urge to disconnect, (3) using formal or learnt preventative strategies, (4) finding an alternative strategy to manage thoughts, and (5) engaging with suicidal distress.

conclusionThere is no one-size-fits-all self-management approach. The significance of social connection was complex, indicating a need for flexible, supportive and non-judgemental social responses. Both clinical and lifestyle strategies should be considered for supporting people at risk of suicide. Moreover, knowledge of the diverse motivations for and responses to suicidal ideation may enable family, friends, clinicians and crisis workers to better connect with people experiencing suicidal ideation.

Indexed as

suicidality; self-management; reflexive thematic analysis; longitudinal cohort study; social connection

Identifiers

PMID42455312

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