A social semiotic interpretation of suicidal behaviour in young people

This article presents a study of nurses' and doctors' perceptions of young people who engage in suicidal behaviour. A contemporary view of grounded theory is used to guide the collection and analysis of qualitative data from nurses and doctors working with young people in an accident and emergency department, paediatric medicine and child and adolescent mental health services (adolescent inpatient unit). The analysis of 45 semi-structured interviews generated the category: Processes of communication and associated meanings: Another voice, Complex messages and Seeing and using the social environment. A social semiotic framework is used to explore the way in which nurses and doctors perceive young people who engage in suicidal behaviour. The article concludes by considering the implications for policy and practice.