Sök artiklar i SveMed+

Tidskrift

Sammanfattning

Suicidal behavior and self-harm represent serious public health challenges and encompass most age groups from schoolchildren to elderly. It is rare that children below 14 years of age commit suicide, however, existing evidence shows that suicide ideation in young adults may arise from early school age. Self-harm is far more frequent with the largest prevalence from teenage years to the early 20s. School is an arena for almost all children and adolescents. Increased awareness of mental health in this age group requires proper assessment and competence among school personnel. The risk of suicide or self-harm among pupils is present in all schools across Norway. Suicide-bereaved children by death of a parent or family member are at particular risk, since there is an increased risk of imitating the suicide. Such events require sufficient attention and safeguarding during school days. School personnel may implement preventive measures through proper capacity building. The present article addresses experiences with the gatekeeper model and its utility in primary and junior high schools in Norway. A completed pilot study with 16 participating schools led to the origin of a network comprising school personnel as resources. 14 of the personnel were interviewed and assessed for their knowledge and skills in suicide prevention, as well as for their attitudes towards suicide. The results show an increase in perceived knowledge and skills. An implementation of competence programs in suicide prevention is recommended for schools on a regional and national level.

MeSH