The manner in which patients committed suicide brought
shock and disbelief to the participants. A hospital is regarded
as a refuge where patients are protected from their own self
destructive tendencies; and where hope for their future is
communicated to them (Ballard et al., 2008). However, in this
study the patients used the hospital as a place where they
fulfilled their self-destructive behaviour by successfully
committing suicide. Neville (2013) recommends that suicidal
patients should be nursed in an environment that is free from
hazards that might be used as methods of committing suicide.
McGuire (2011) revealed that weaknesses in the environmental
safety were the root cause of suicides. While patients
health sa gesondheid 21 (2016) 54 e5 9 57
in psychiatric units commonly commit suicide by hanging
those in the medical wards commonly jump from heights
(McGuire, 2011). A safe environment can be created by
restricting access to heights, preventing rooftop access, locking
doors and closing windows.