Travellers for Young People with Eating Disorders

Title of ongoing intervention programme

Travellers - a Method of Intervention and Rehabilitation away from Eating Disorders - a research-based intervention programme.

Background

The number of suicide attempts in Denmark is high for teenagers, especially among girls. In particular, teenagers with eating disorders make up a vulnerable group in regard to suicidal behaviour. On this background Centre for Suicide Research has initiated the project: Travellers - young people away from eating disorders which is inititated in the spring of 2006.

Travellers is aimed at young people, in the 13 to 25 age group, with early-stage or treated eating disorder. The programme forms part of the process of rehabilitation (after-care) and is contributory to the prevention of suicides and suicide attempts among young people.

Travellers is a psycho-educative programme developed in New Zealand in the 1990ies and adapted to Danish conditions and culture. The idea behind the project is to make young people imagine that they are travellers in life. At the same time they are supported in developing and acquiring coping strategies which can guide them through challenges and changes in their journey through life.

Purpose

The overall purpose of the project is to to support young people in developing coping strategies to overcome challenges in life. Also, the purpose is to prevent suicidal behaviour among vulnerable young people.

Method

To begin with, Travellers will be carried out in the region of Funen, but soon the programme will be spread out to the rest of Denmark.

A brochure about the project is sent out to class teachers, pedagogic-psychological advice services, centres for eating disorders, general practitioners etc. in the hope that they will assist in passing on the offer to the young people.

The project passes off in groups consisting of 8 young people in each and takes place close to where they live. Two professional teachers/project managers participate in the courses.

Travellers for Young People with Eating Disorders is completed

The project was financially supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration.

Contact

• Director of Centre, Ph.D Lilian Zoellner, , Centre for Suicide Research

Opening hours

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