Page 92 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 92
avje otrok in mladostnikov | health of children and adolescents 92 an effective way to prevent further deaths by suicide. The most successful pre-
vention programmes focus on raising awareness, reducing risk factors and pro-
moting protective factors. Programmes implemented in adolescence are par-
ticularly important because they promote developmentally appropriate skills
and a support system that is maintained into adulthood. They show the great-
est effectiveness when introduced in the school setting (Singer et al., 2020). The
results of interventions are visible at multiple levels. Teachers and professionals
recognise young people in distress earlier, know how to talk to them and can
offer appropriate help more quickly, which helps to reduce suicidal behaviour
in schools (Poštuvan et al., 2020; Singer et al., 2020). Young people who par-
ticipate in interventions are more socially integrated, seek help earlier and ex-
press fewer self-harming behaviours and suicide attempts. These young people
are also more open-minded, perceive the distress of their peers earlier and act
more properly. The interventions also influence attitudes toward suicidal be-
haviour and help-seeking in the school environment (Singer et al., 2020).
In our country, under the UP IAM Slovene Centre for Suicide Research,
the project Do You Understand (Yourself)?!?, financed by the Ministry of
Health, is being implemented. The project ensures a holistic approach by in-
volving all relevant groups through cooperation with the school system. It in-
cludes training for teachers and school professionals, training for parents, pre-
vention workshops for young people and postvention activities for schools if a
young person dies by suicide (Poštuvan et al., 2020).
The importance of the wider environment regarding distress
and suicidality of children and adolescents
The wider community can play an important role in increasing and decreas-
ing the risk of suicide. This is particularly important when dealing with young
people who are more integrated into the community due to the specific charac-
teristics of the life period (e.g. mandatory schooling).
At the community level, the risk of suicidal behaviour may be increased
by limited access to professional help, as most adolescents at increased risk of
suicide do not receive professional support. The latter may be due to several
factors, including the lack of staff to provide quality treatment to children and
adolescents in need and geographical limitations (Campo, 2009), as qualified
professionals may be geographically distant (Fenichel et al., 2002). The stigma-
tisation of help-seeking and mental health problems can also make it difficult
to access appropriate professionals and services (WHO, 2014). As a result, ado-
lescents often find it difficult to admit that they need professional help (Moskos
et al., 2007). Stigmatising attitudes towards family and friends (e.g., seeking
help is a sign of weakness), lack of knowledge about the characteristics of men-
tal health problems and available sources of help can further hinder recogni-
tion of distress or help (Moskos et al., 2007; WHO, 2014).
vention programmes focus on raising awareness, reducing risk factors and pro-
moting protective factors. Programmes implemented in adolescence are par-
ticularly important because they promote developmentally appropriate skills
and a support system that is maintained into adulthood. They show the great-
est effectiveness when introduced in the school setting (Singer et al., 2020). The
results of interventions are visible at multiple levels. Teachers and professionals
recognise young people in distress earlier, know how to talk to them and can
offer appropriate help more quickly, which helps to reduce suicidal behaviour
in schools (Poštuvan et al., 2020; Singer et al., 2020). Young people who par-
ticipate in interventions are more socially integrated, seek help earlier and ex-
press fewer self-harming behaviours and suicide attempts. These young people
are also more open-minded, perceive the distress of their peers earlier and act
more properly. The interventions also influence attitudes toward suicidal be-
haviour and help-seeking in the school environment (Singer et al., 2020).
In our country, under the UP IAM Slovene Centre for Suicide Research,
the project Do You Understand (Yourself)?!?, financed by the Ministry of
Health, is being implemented. The project ensures a holistic approach by in-
volving all relevant groups through cooperation with the school system. It in-
cludes training for teachers and school professionals, training for parents, pre-
vention workshops for young people and postvention activities for schools if a
young person dies by suicide (Poštuvan et al., 2020).
The importance of the wider environment regarding distress
and suicidality of children and adolescents
The wider community can play an important role in increasing and decreas-
ing the risk of suicide. This is particularly important when dealing with young
people who are more integrated into the community due to the specific charac-
teristics of the life period (e.g. mandatory schooling).
At the community level, the risk of suicidal behaviour may be increased
by limited access to professional help, as most adolescents at increased risk of
suicide do not receive professional support. The latter may be due to several
factors, including the lack of staff to provide quality treatment to children and
adolescents in need and geographical limitations (Campo, 2009), as qualified
professionals may be geographically distant (Fenichel et al., 2002). The stigma-
tisation of help-seeking and mental health problems can also make it difficult
to access appropriate professionals and services (WHO, 2014). As a result, ado-
lescents often find it difficult to admit that they need professional help (Moskos
et al., 2007). Stigmatising attitudes towards family and friends (e.g., seeking
help is a sign of weakness), lack of knowledge about the characteristics of men-
tal health problems and available sources of help can further hinder recogni-
tion of distress or help (Moskos et al., 2007; WHO, 2014).
