“In Hopes of Becoming a Phoenix”: Application of Narrative Practices in Exploration of Preferred Identities of Youth Contemplating Suicide in North East India

Abstract

Narrative practices can provide newer ways to engage with individuals and communities in suicide prevention. This study is a pilot project that examined the applicability of narrative ideas in developing in-depth interview (IDI) and focus group discussion (FGD) probes to explore the preferred identities of young people who have contemplated suicide in Northeast India. Narrative ideas were embedded during the development of IDI and FGD probes and tested on five participants. The data collection utilized an IDI informed by the “absent but implicit” map and an FGD that followed the “definitional ceremony” approach. The narrative therapeutic approach brought out the broader sociocultural contexts of suicide, identifying skills and knowledge that young people use to respond to issues and uncovering intentions, hopes, and values of their lives. The approach also unfolded their collective experiences. The study provides ways to support young people with experiences of suicidality in moving from problem-saturated identities to preferred identities.