Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour among Children and Young People

Title of intervention project

A Guide for the Danish Municipalities - Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour among Children and Young People

Background

In 1998 the National Board of Health published Recommendations for a National Programme for Prevention of Suicides and Suicide Attempts in Denmark. The plan of action formed the foundation for a special effort in several areas in the period of 1999-2004, among these preventive programmes and measures among children and young people. The initiative included a number of projects.

Statistics show that more and more young girls and boys between 15 and 19 years of age try to take their own life. Therefore, it also happens more and more often that personnel in the sector of social affairs is faced with a child or a young person who threatens to attempt suicide.

Publication

In order to strengthen the preventive measures in the area of suicidal behaviour Centre for Suicide Research - in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration - has worked out: A Guide for the Danish Municipalities - Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour among Children and Young People

The guide is a professional tool. It is worked out for the personnel in the sector of social affairs aiming to reduce uncertainty and to improve the foundation for providing qualified help for suicidal young people under the age of 18. Furthermore, the intention is to inspire politicians and leaders in the municipalities to implement standards and elements for preventive measures among children and young people in the policy-making of the municipalities.

The guide also contains concrete instructions of different models for suicide prevention in the municipalities.

• Link to the Danish website

Guide, quick guide and folder

Along with the Guide for the municipalities a quick guide and a folder have been made out containing the most important advice and instructions for acute situations.

If the municipalities wish to strengthen or build up an offer for suicidal children/young people, it is recommended that they seek consultative assistance.

Status

The Guide was sent out in 2006. The project was financially supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration, and was carried through by psychologist Kim Juul Larsen and social counsellor Bjoern Clausen until the end of 2005 working at Centre for Suicide Research.

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