A atuação de psicólogos escolares do Piauí diante de comportamentos suicidas em adolescentes

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of school psychologists in Piauí when identifying suicidal behaviors in adolescent students. It is a qualitative, exploratory, and field-based research, whose participants were six school psychologists with a minimum of one year of experience in educational institutions and previous involvement in managing suicidal crises. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews via Google Meet, using the snowball sampling technique. Data analysis followed Bardin’s (2010) content analysis approach. The results indicate that psychologists primarily act through active listening, emotional support, and coordination with families. Collaborative practices with teachers, school staff, and even classmates were also highlighted, along with referrals to specialized services and the implementation of educational and preventive strategies in the school context. However, this work is limited by the lack of structured protocols for suicide risk assessment, work overload, weak coordination with the mental health care network, and challenges in engaging families. Among the social factors associated with suicidal behavior in adolescents, family conflicts, academic difficulties, and low self-esteem stand out, in addition to structural elements such as social inequality, performance pressure, and idealized standards spread through social media. This research contributes to the understanding of psychological practices in schools and to strengthening more integrated and effective care strategies for addressing adolescent suicide.