Abstract

Depression-related suicide appears to be increasing among older people in a number of countries and occurs consistently in multicultural contexts and among various religious communities. In this study we explored and described the experiences of eight older Thai-Muslims with a history of severe depression and suicide attempts who lived in southern Thailand. The phenomenological method of Colazzi was used to gather, analyze and present data and we employed in-depth interviews. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed four themes that stood out as figural for the participants: (a) “death is freedom from life”, (b) “loss and loneliness leads to suicide”, (c) “a healing approach through Islamic beliefs”, and (d) “need someone to support”. The findings revealed that the participants generally contemplate suicide in a state of abject misery. Nurse-client therapeutic relationships are important and meaningful for creating personal trust, safety and confidence through being with such people, and collaborating with them to make various choices, to enhance their self-value and touch their inner life-energy. In the healing process, nurses should consider developing positive connections, attempting to alleviate pain and suffering, and providing them with effective support in an acceptable Islamic manner.