TITLE:
The Effects of Suicidal Ideation on Families
AUTHORS:
Kyle Van Duser, Emma Donaldson, Dustin Wagner, Avonlea Ware
KEYWORDS:
Suicidal Ideation, Caregivers, Residential Treatment, Family Systems Theory, Qualitative Research
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
21,
2026
ABSTRACT: This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experience of caregivers who had a child suffering from self-harm, suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt. The study followed caregivers from their loved one’s intake at a residential mental health treatment center to one-month post-discharge. Caregivers (n = 17) participated in interviews conducted at intake, discharge, and approximately one-month post-discharge. At intake, caregivers commonly described persistent fear and anxiety, financial strain, and a desire for greater peer support from others facing similar circumstances. Following discharge, caregivers reported perceived improvements in communication alongside ongoing concerns related to continuity of care. The findings highlight the importance of supporting caregivers not only during a young person’s treatment but also during the transition back to the community.