SAYLE

Title of ongoing research project

SAYLE - Saving Young Lives Everywhere - a research-based intervention project aimed at the group of young people in advanced youth education.

Background

The problem of suicidal behaviour among young people between 15 and 19 years has been growing in Denmark as well as in other European countries. In Denmark the suicide attempt rate among women in the 15 to 19 age group has risen with 322% in the period 1990-2003. Suicide attempts among women aged 20-29 years are at a level in 2001 which is 50% higher than the level throughout the 1990'ies (Register for Suicide Attempts, Centre for Suicide Research).

At the conference of Ministers in Helsinki, Finland, in January 2005, Mental Health in Europe: Implementation Plan 2005-2010, Denmark joined the Action Plan for Europe concerning research-based suicide prevention aimed at young people with suicidal behaviour, depressions and poor personal welfare. Working with centres in Sweden, Ireland, Estonia and Italy, Centre for Suicide Research in Denmark has taken the preliminary steps to initiate the project Saving Young Lives. In Denmark the project will be adapted to the cultural and national conditions and demands.

Objective

The objective of this research and intervention project is to uncover, analyse and describe the thoughts of suicide/self-harm and the self-injurious behaviour of young people in the 16 to 19 age group and through that initiate research-based intervention programmes aimed at these young people. Furthermore, the objective is to contribute to the working in of plans of action in youth education.

Method

The methods of the project are chosen with the intention of finding as many protecting and encumbering factors as possible as a basis for research-based intervention.

The project includes:

• Survey based on questionnaires
• Interview study
• Group programmes
• Plans of action

This method will ensure knowledge about thoughts of self-harm or suicide which makes it possible to initiate preventive measures at an early stage. According to WHO (2004) institutions of youth education are important areas for initiatives of prevention when it comes to young people.

SAYLE cooperation

The Danish part of the project is lead by Centre for Suicide Research. Co-operation takes place with centres in Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Italy, Ireland and Israel.

Status

The survey based on questionnaires has been initiated in the high schools which have accepted to participate. The questionnaire is web-based and includes questions around themes such as eating disorders, values, self-injurious behaviour, suicide ideation, vulnerability etc.

The preventive measures consist of the research-based intervention programme Travellers. The young people who show signs of poor personal welfare are offered Travellers participation. More about Travellers

The research and intervention project is scheduled to end the 31st of December, 2009. The project will be finished with a well-documented report and articles. Meanwhile, presentation of knowledge and information will happen through the Centre's published booklets, homepage, newsletters, articles, conferences and seminars.

The research and intervention project is financially supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Contact

The project is carried through by Director of Centre for Suicide Research, PhD Lilian Zoellner, and statistician Boerge Jensen, .

Opening hours

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