Every day in Poland, at least six teenagers attempt suicide. This calculation is based on data collected by the Police Headquarters. However, it should be remembered that this is just the tip of the iceberg, as not all suicide attempts are called to officers. Many attempts are not notified to the services, others are often only known about by loved ones, and still others may not be known about by anyone other than the children making them. According to the predictions of mental health professionals, there are between one hundred and two hundred suicide attempts per child suicide. It is important to remember that when an adolescent suicide occurs, it is not only the family that suffers in these circumstances, but also friends, classmates, colleagues, teachers and educators.
Each suicide affects up to 135 people who know the person who took their own life. This is a huge field of impact if we look at it in relation to the overall number of suicide attempts and suicides in Poland.
Suicidal behaviour among children and adolescents is an emotionally charged topic. In recent years, the media has increasingly reported not only on this phenomenon, but also attempted to analyse it. It is important to bear in mind that an adequate interpretation of this problem requires a broad context and an interdisciplinary approach. The dynamics and specificity of suicidal behaviour should be looked at in a longer perspective and with regard to environmental and social changes.
The thing to pay particular attention to is the way we cover the topic of suicidal behaviour in the media. The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its implementation guide Live Life, identifies four strategies for the prevention of suicidal behaviour that have scientifically proven effectiveness: developing social and emotional life skills in children and adolescents, identifying early and adequately supporting people in suicidal crisis, limiting access to lethal methods, and describing suicidal behaviour responsibly in the media. When covering the topic of suicidal behaviour in the mass media, it is important to follow the principles of safe reporting, which are detailed in the Recommendations for Journalists, developed through the Suicide Prevention Programme of the National Health Programme 2021-2025. This is all the more important when covering the topic of suicidal behaviour in the media for children and young people, as it is this age group that is most vulnerable to imitation and the 'Werther effect'. The most dangerous and damaging narrative is to link reports of an increase in suicidal behaviour with a lack of access to places to get help for mental health crises. Such a narrative discourages people from seeking help and removes hope of getting help, especially for those who are currently experiencing such a crisis.
In the prepared and published report on suicidal behaviour among children and adolescents, in addition to the reliably presented data, there is not only an analysis of the phenomenon and its interpretation, but also the most important information on the possibilities of help. In addition, the assistance provided by the www.zwjr.pl service to children and young people is also described. The concluding element is a selection of recommendations that form the basis for measures to prevent suicidal behaviour among children and young people.
Prevention of suicidal behaviour is possible! In order to be effective, the measures taken must be systemic and comprehensive, but above all prudent, based on scientifically proven strategies.
Suicidal behaviour is an umbrella term for phenomena such as suicide attempt, suicide, suicidal thoughts and tendencies. An extremely important issue is the basic distinction regarding suicide and suicide attempt. Suicide is an action ending in the death of the individual. A suicide attempt is behaviour intended to damage one's own body with the intention of taking one's own life. In the issue of suicidal behaviour, it is worth noting the factors that influence the emergence of a suicidal crisis. Within the framework of the interdisciplinary model of the aetiology of suicidal behaviour, such factors are divided into five categories: individual factors (e.g. somatic diseases, mental illnesses, experienced traumas, difficulties in interpersonal relations, addictions), situational factors (the system of certain events, which may trigger suicidal tendencies, e.g.: death of a close person, divorce, divorce, etc.), and the risk of suicide.Situational factors (pattern of certain events that may trigger suicidal tendencies, e.g. death of a close relative, parental divorce, family problems, conflicts at school), environmental factors linked to the characteristics of the particular environment in which the child functions (family, school, Internet), social factors (economic situation in the country, availability of help, access to educational and career development), religious-cultural factors (cultural attitudes to suicide in a given country, the way suicide is presented in popular culture and the media, religiosity).
Risk factors for suicidal behaviour can also be analysed in terms of vulnerability and stress. It is also important to remember that suicidal crisis is a staggered process. In the case of children and adolescents, the process may pass much more dynamically due to the impulsivity present in this age group.
The report can be found in the link below:
https://zwjr.pl/artykuly/zrozumiec-aby-zapobiec-2024-ii-edycja-raportu