Exploring the Perceptions of Young Persons at Risk of Suicide Regarding Suicide and Suicide Prevention: A Phenomenological Study

Globally, the number of young persons who die by suicide has increased rapidly. However, research exploring young persons' perceptions of suicide is rare. To explore the perceptions of young persons at the risk of suicide regarding suicide and suicide prevention. A phenomenological research approach was employed using semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was conducted, recruiting 46 participants from hospitals and clinics in Taiwan between 2022 and 2024. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's (1978) seven-step framework. Four main themes emerged from the data: (1) the impact of multiple external pressures; (2) struggles with internal negative self-thoughts; (3) support from the external environment; (4) inner self-regulation. Young persons' experience multiple external pressures, especially bullying. It is important to build a bullying-free environment for young persons. Everyone encounters stress; therefore, it is essential to assist young persons in accessing substantial support systems and provide psychoeducation on self-regulation to help reduce their suicidal ideation. Nursing professionals could use these findings as reference to further understand the external and internal pressures endured by young people. Concurrently, nursing professionals could ensure that young persons get the external support they need and provide psychoeducation on internal self-regulation, hence encouraging the self-soothing of their suicidal ideations.