Therapeutic itinerary of women with suicidal ideation and attempts: gender as an analytical category

Abstract

Women with suicidal ideation and attempts often turn to healthcare services in search of mental health care. However, their therapeutic pathways are shaped by gender-related issues that require further exploration. This study aims to understand the therapeutic itineraries of these women within the Psychosocial Care Network (acronym in Portuguese – RAPS), using gender as an analytical category. It is a qualitative study based on a hermeneutic and dialectical approach. Interviews were conducted with ten women who shared their experiences seeking care during episodes of suicidal ideation and attempts. The findings highlight the diversity of healthcare services accessed and the gender-related dynamics present in these encounters. Additionally, it was observed that the search for care extended beyond institutional healthcare services, contributing to a deeper understanding of how these women redefined the suffering associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. In this sense, analyzing their therapeutic pathways through a gender perspective allowed for a critical examination of barriers, challenges, and care strategies, contributing to the improvement of mental health policies and practices.