Prevention of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents

Features of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents

Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents has a number of features characteristic of a growing organism and personality. Cases of suicidal behavior in children, for example, suicidal statements, can be observed as early as 5-6 years of age, then at 7-10 years of age and older, along with suicidal statements, children can also make suicidal attempts, which sometimes, unfortunately, ends in the death of a child. Suicidal activity increases sharply in adolescence from 14-15 years of age and reaches its maximum at 16-19 years of age.

One of the reasons for choosing a suicidal method of solving problems is an inadequate attitude towards death. The child has not formed the idea that death is irreversible. The child perceives his “temporary” death as a way of influencing significant loved ones - to arouse sympathy, to punish. Only towards the end of adolescence does the correct idea of death as an irreversible cessation of life form. Due to immature judgments and lack of life experience, even a minor conflict situation seems hopeless, and therefore becomes extremely suicidal.

It is believed that half of suicide attempts in adolescence are demonstrative, i.e. without any real intention of dying. However, distinguishing between genuine and demonstrative attempts is not always easy. The lack of fear of death underlies the choice of all kinds of dangerous games; the lack of life experience leads to dramatic ways of dying.

Analyzing the feelings behind suicidal actions, there are 4 reasons for suicide:

isolation (the feeling that no one understands you or is interested in you);
helplessness (the feeling that you cannot control your life, everything does not depend on you),
hopelessness (when the future does not bode well);
feeling of one's own insignificance (wounded self-esteem, low self-esteem, feelings of incompetence, shame for oneself).

The cause of a teenager's suicide, most often, is a long-term conflict situation in the family, where the prevailing style of education is oppressive, and in the form of punishment, humiliating statements are used, which are painful for the self-esteem and reduce the self-esteem of the teenager; crisis situations such as the death of loved ones, parental divorce or the departure of one of the parents from the family, stress factors such as physical or sexual violence.

School causes of suicidal behavior are usually related to relationships with teachers and classmates. Relationships with peers (especially those of the opposite sex) are a very significant factor in suicidal behavior in adolescents. One explanation for the importance of these relationships is excessive dependence on another person, which usually arises as compensation for poor relationships with one’s parents, due to constant conflicts and lack of contact with them. It happens that relationships with a friend or girlfriend become so significant that any cooling of affection, and even more so, betrayal, leaving for another, is perceived as an irreparable loss that deprives further life of meaning.

An attempt on life may be an imitation of behavior demonstrated on television screens or on destructive sites on the Internet, where depressive attitudes and self-aggressive behavior are encouraged. In teenage groups, there is an increased interest in the topics of death and suicide, and their “mystery” and “beauty” are discussed. In addition, adolescents who abuse alcohol and drugs, and suffer from mental and physical illnesses are prone to suicide. Among mental illnesses, these are primarily depressive states, psychopathic tendencies and other mental disorders.

Suicidologists note a number of changes in the external behavior of children and adolescents that may indicate suicidal intentions:

lack of sleep or increased sleepiness;
loss of appetite;
signs of anxiety, outbursts of irritability;
increased feelings of anxiety, sad mood;
signs of eternal fatigue, loss of strength, loss of energy characteristic of children;
sloppy appearance;
increased complaints of physical illness;
tendency to quickly change mood;
distance from family and friends;
excessive risk in actions;
expressions of hopelessness, preoccupation with thoughts of death, talk about one’s own funeral;
open statements: “I hate life”; “I can’t stand it anymore”; “I don’t want to live”; “Nobody needs me.”

Sometimes an indicator of suicide can be actions such as: giving away valuable personal belongings, objects of hobbies, resolving conflicts with family and friends.

Prevention of suicidal behavior. Recommendations for teachers

SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR –

a universal term that includes all varieties and manifestations of mental activity aimed at taking one’s life.

Suicidal behavior is a manifestation of suicidal activity - thoughts, intentions, statements, threats, attempts, attempts.

The psychological meaning of teenage suicide is a cry for help, a desire to draw attention to one’s suffering. There is no real desire, the idea of death is unclear, infantile.

Death is presented as a desirable long sleep, a rest from adversity, a way to get to another world. It is also seen as a means of punishing the offender, “who will later regret it.” In the understanding of a child, death does not mean the irrevocable cessation of life. The child thinks that everything can be returned back.
In adolescents, suicidal behavior can become imitative. Imitability is especially characteristic of suggestible children. They can see that death frightens others and is an effective means of putting pressure on offenders.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, suicidal behavior under the age of 15 is associated with a protest reaction, a particularly common source of the latter being disrupted intra-family, intra-school or intra-group relationships.
70% of teenagers cited various kinds of school conflicts as the reason that pushed them to attempt suicide. But the reason, as a rule, is trouble in the family. However, this “trouble” is not external, but substantial: first of all, parent-child relationships are disrupted. School situations play the role of the “last straw”, since school is the place where the child spends a significant part of his time.
There is no one reason for suicide. Particular vigilance should be taken into account the combination of dangerous signals if they persist for a certain period of time.

Three groups of characteristic signs by which it is easy to guess that a teenager is planning to commit suicide.

1. Verbal signs:
A teenager preparing to commit suicide often talks about his state of mind.

He speaks directly and clearly about death: “I’m going to commit suicide,” “I can’t live like this any longer.”
Indirectly hints about his intention: “I won’t be a problem for anyone anymore,” “you won’t have to worry about me anymore.”
He jokes a lot about suicide.
Shows an unhealthy interest in issues of death.

2. Behavioral signs.

Distributes things of great personal significance to others, finally puts things in order, makes peace with old enemies, makes written instructions (in letters, notes, diary).
Demonstrates radical changes in behavior, such as:

- in food (eats too little or too much);
— in a dream (sleeping too little or too much);
- in appearance (for example, becomes sloppy);
- in school habits (misses classes, does not complete homework, avoids communicating with classmates), shows irritability, gloominess; is in a depressed mood;
- withdrawn from family and friends;
- became overly active or, conversely, indifferent to the world around him; feels alternately sudden euphoria and bouts of despair.

Shows signs of helplessness, hopelessness and despair.
Suicidal teenagers, in general, are often driven by ambivalent feelings. They feel hopeless, and at the same time hope for salvation.

3. Situational signs: a teenager may decide to commit suicide if:

Socially isolated (no friends or only one friend), feels rejected.
Lives in an unstable environment (serious crisis in the family - in relationships with parents or parents with each other; alcoholism - a personal or family problem).
Feels like a victim of violence - physical, sexual or emotional.
Has attempted suicide before.
Has a tendency towards suicide due to the fact that it was committed by one of the friends, acquaintances or family members.
Suffered a heavy loss (death of someone close, divorce of parents).
Too critical of yourself.

PREVENTION OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR

Prevention of suicide among the population is carried out through interdepartmental interaction between health care systems, education, social protection, law enforcement agencies, state and municipal authorities, public organizations, volunteer movements, representatives of religious denominations and the media.

There are primary, secondary, and tertiary suicide prevention.

Primary prevention (prevention itself) is aimed at preventing suicidal behavior as such and involves the involvement of all social institutions and the public.
This is considered necessary, but is unresolved both in the country, regions, and municipalities, since mainly medical (psychiatric) measures are being implemented, which cannot carry out the entire volume of preventive work.

According to various authors, primary prevention should focus its attention on the problems of young people and lonely elderly people.

Primary prevention includes: 1) social measures:
— increasing the educational and general cultural level of the population, developing an anti-suicidal personal position. The development of their coping skills with stress and improvement of family relationships are considered as strategic targets for suicide prevention in adolescents;
— implementation of employment policy, including solving the problem of unemployment;
— strengthening the institution of family and marriage;
— organizing psychological preparation for retirement, loss of a spouse;
— organization of leisure activities;
- strengthening religious feelings;
— anti-suicidal propaganda in the media, including the use of short films and educational videos on the prevention of depressive disorders and suicide, intended for showing to a wide audience;
— television programs devoted to issues of intra-family crises, problems of aging, etc.;
— creation of voluntary charitable organizations for the purpose of suicide prevention;
— prohibitive measures (reducing the population’s consumption of alcoholic beverages; limiting the availability of firearms, toxic chemical compounds, medications);
— competent coverage of suicide cases in the media: limiting visual representations, excessive descriptions and images of suicidal acts, avoiding glorification and romanticization in the presentation of material;
-fighting Internet resources that promote suicide (“death groups”, “blue whales”, etc.)

Primary prevention includes: 2) medical measures:

— timely identification and treatment of persons with affective (depressive) pathology, alcohol dependence and other mental disorders;
— special training for medical students, primary care doctors and other specialists (psychologists, teachers, social work specialists, etc.) in the timely detection of mental disorders (especially depressive ones) in all age groups and the prevention of suicidal behavior;
— conducting special programs for psychiatrists;
— training of suicidologists.
Secondary prevention (intervention)
is aimed at timely detection of the pre-suicidal period, stopping already developed suicidal behavior and preventing the death of a suicide attempt (carrying out urgent general medical measures).
Tertiary prevention (postvention)
is aimed at preventing repeated suicide attempts, providing psychosocial and medical assistance to suicide victims, as well as providing psychological and, if necessary, psychiatric assistance to relatives of the suicide victim.

The tasks of secondary and tertiary prevention are mainly carried out by medical services, with a special role played by suicidological services.

Educational institutions are mainly tasked with primary prevention.

To prevent suicidal behavior among children and adolescents in educational institutions, it is necessary to build a holistic system

joint activities of teachers, psychologists, school administration and

parents on an ongoing basis, aimed at actively adapting the child to the social environment, developing a positive attitude towards life and stress resistance in schoolchildren.

When organizing the prevention of suicidal behavior among children and adolescents, teachers are recommended to:

1. Study of the theoretical aspects of the problem of suicidal behavior from the standpoint of philosophy, physiology, psychology, sociology, pedagogy and the use of relevant information in working with students and parents.
2. Identifying children in need of immediate help and protection, providing them with emergency first aid, ensuring the child’s safety, and relieving stress.
3. Studying the characteristics of the psychological and pedagogical status of each student with the aim of timely prevention and effective solution of problems arising in the mental state, communication, development and learning.
4. Creation of a system of psychological and pedagogical support for students of different age groups when difficult life situations arise.
5. Involvement of various government bodies and public associations to provide assistance to the child and protect his legal rights and interests.
6. Formation of a positive self-image, understanding of the uniqueness and originality of not only one’s own personality, but also of other people.

Recommendations for educational psychologists on the prevention of suicidal behavior

A psychologist needs to conduct regular classes with teachers and parents on the prevention of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents.
It is necessary to identify children and adolescents in crisis situations, in situations of conflict with classmates, etc., being in constant contact with teachers and parents, conducting periodic testing.
Carry out work to relieve negative emotions and help resolve conflict situations.
Teach skills and abilities to cope with stress.
Provide psychological support to adolescents with the involvement of family, friends, etc.
If necessary, include the teenager in a socio-psychological training group.

To prevent suicide attempts in the presence of suicidal behavior, a psychologist needs to:

- relieve psychological stress in a traumatic situation;
- reduce psychological dependence on the cause that led to suicidal behavior;
— to form compensatory mechanisms of behavior;
- to form in a teenager an adequate attitude towards life and death.

If a child is suspected of having mental disorders, the psychologist must inform the parents and recommend consultation with a psychiatrist.
It is advisable to post the following information in educational institutions:
HELPLINE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS:
8-800-2000-122

Prevention of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents.

First of all, it is necessary to remember that adults are responsible for any suicidal behavior of a child.

When talking to a teenager contemplating suicide, it is recommended:

listen carefully to your interlocutor, because teenagers often suffer from loneliness and the inability to pour out their souls;
correctly formulate questions, calmly and intelligibly asking about the essence of the disturbing situation and what help is needed;
do not express surprise at what you hear and do not condemn him for any, even the most shocking statements;
do not argue and do not insist that his trouble is insignificant, that he lives better than others; saying “everyone has the same problems” makes the child feel even more unnecessary and useless;
try to dispel the romantic-tragic aura of a teenager’s ideas about his own death;
do not offer unjustified consolations, but emphasize the temporary nature of the problem;
strive to instill hope in the teenager; it must be realistic and aimed at strengthening his strengths and capabilities,
assess the seriousness of the child’s intentions and feelings, if he already has a specific plan for suicide - he urgently needs help,
assess the depth of the emotional crisis, notice details, for example, if a person who was in a state of depression suddenly begins to show violent activity, this may serve as a basis for anxiety,
pay attention to all, even the most minor grievances and complaints; a teenager may not give vent to his feelings, hiding his problems, but at the same time be in a state of deep depression,
Don't be afraid to ask your child directly if he (or she) is thinking about suicide.

Prevention of suicidal behavior

Doctor of the Department of Functional Diagnostics Gorskaya L.M.

Suicidal behavior is a way of thinking and a pathological form of passive action, an extremely dangerous way of avoiding solving life problems.

From a theoretical point of view, suicide is an extremely dangerous, but preventable and predictable phenomenon. It has been established that suicides are more often committed in the range from 15 to 25 years and in old age - after 70. According to statistics, annual mortality due to suicide in the world is about 1% of all deaths. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. It was found that over 90% of people who died due to suicide had a history of mental pathologies, in most cases depressive states.

Although numerous studies of suicidal behavior have been conducted over several centuries in order to provide a theoretical basis for this phenomenon, today there is no single theory explaining the biological nature of suicide. Among the various concepts, three main theories of suicide can be distinguished: psychopathological, psychological and sociological.

In fact, any suicidal behavior can be conditionally classified into one of three groups: true, demonstrative, hidden.

True (genuine) suicidal actions , although often seem unexpected, are never spontaneous. Such attempts are carefully thought out and calculated to the smallest detail; they are always preceded by significant changes in the thinking, behavior, and statements of the person who has decided to commit suicide.

However, most attempts to commit suicide refer to demonstrative suicidal behavior . Hints to others and often clearly theatrical actions are a unique, albeit completely illogical and unjustified method of conducting a dialogue with loved ones.

Hidden (masked) suicidal behavior is resorted to by those individuals who understand that committing suicide is the wrong step to overcome difficulties, but they cannot solve the problems with other options. Such behavior includes: passion for extreme sports, risky high-speed aerobatics in a car, voluntary participation in military conflicts, life-threatening travel and hiking, alcohol abuse or drug addiction. It can be argued that “disguised” suiciders strive to feel the taste of risk and consciously balance on the edge of a knife, and the more persuasion and persuasion that is addressed to them, the stronger and more meaningful their desire becomes. Psychotherapeutic treatment of people from this group is long-term and quite complex.

Particular attention should be paid to those individuals who have already made suicidal attempts in the past, have a depressive or affectively labile constitution, and suffer from mental pathologies. Research by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, conducted since the second half of the last century, has shown that from 20% to 50% of suicide victims have attempted suicide in the past.

Among the main causes of suicide are genetic predisposition, low standard of living in the family, loss of a close relative, problems in family relationships, psychological and physical trauma received in childhood, alcoholism and drug addiction, etc.

Psychohygienic prevention of suicidal behavior is today one of the basic tasks of modern society. There are primary measures and secondary measures to prevent the occurrence of suicide attempts.

Primary prevention of suicidal behavior includes:

improving the level of social life of people;
education of a positively oriented personality;
elimination of social conditions that provoke the emergence of suicidal intentions and give rise to the development of suicidal intentions.

In order to implement measures for the secondary prevention of suicidal acts, a program for the prevention of suicidal behavior has been developed, including:

identification of risk factors that provoke suicidal tendencies;
division of preventive accounting categories into groups that correspond to certain forms of abnormal (deviant) behavior;
early identification of individuals with neuropsychiatric pathologies;
corrective effects of identified illnesses and mental pathologies.

Most modern suicidologists agree that comprehensive work on the prevention of suicidal behavior should certainly be aimed at solving the following basic tasks:

timely detection and elimination of conditions that pose a potential risk of suicide;
early recognition of suicidal tendencies among certain categories of the population;
treatment of post-suicidal conditions;
registration of suicides and recording of attempts;
social and labor readaptation;
carrying out large-scale psychohygienic work among the population.

There are several general recommendations aimed at anticipating suicide. The goal of suicide prevention is the ability to recognize signs of danger, acceptance of the individual as an individual, and the establishment of caring relationships. In addition, a person who is about to embark on a path of self-destruction needs attention. He wants to be listened to without judging, to discuss his pain or problem with him. When faced with the threat of a suicide attempt, there is no need to argue with the potential suicider or be aggressive.

If a crisis situation is identified, then it is necessary to find out how the individual previously resolved similar situations, as this may be useful in solving the current problem. It is also recommended to find out from the individual contemplating suicide what remains positively significant for him. It is necessary to find out the degree of risk of suicide.

There is no need to leave one person in a situation with a high risk of attempting to commit suicide. It is recommended to spend all the time with an individual who has decided to commit suicide until the crisis passes or professional help arrives.

Subjects who commit actions aimed at the conscious cessation of their existence are characterized by the presence of suicidal personality traits that manifest themselves in certain situations. Therefore, modern psychology has been successfully developing over the past decades various packages of diagnostic methods that make it possible to identify a crisis or the beginning of its formation as early as possible and provide individually or in a group with the necessary psychotherapeutic, correctional or advisory assistance.

Significant diagnostic criteria for establishing an increased likelihood of suicidal behavioral reactions are frustration, anxiety, aggressiveness and rigidity.

If there is a high risk of suicide, individual psychotherapy or psychological counseling is recommended, the main result of which for the individual is the understanding that he is heard and the feeling that he is not alone.

Recommendations for parents

It is believed that one of the strongest factors that keeps young people in life is their relationship with their parents. If relationships are built on a basis of trust, p

The parent treats the child as a partner, then protective mechanisms are formed that protect the teenager from suicidal behavior.

Parents can be recommended:

under no circumstances should problems relating to the preservation of the child’s physical and mental health be left unresolved;
analyze every difficult situation with your son or daughter;
teach a child from early childhood to take responsibility for his actions and decisions, to foresee the consequences of his actions. Create in him the need to ask the question: “What will happen if...”;
cultivate in the child the habit of telling parents not only about their achievements, but also about worries, doubts, and fears;
do not be late in answering his questions on various problems of physiology;
do not make fun of the child if in some situation he turns out to be weak physically and morally, help him and support him, indicate possible ways to solve the problem that has arisen.

Prevention of depression in adolescents is important for suicide prevention. Parents play a huge role in preventing depression. As soon as a teenager notices a low mood and other signs of a depressive state, it is necessary to immediately take measures to help the child get out of this state.

Firstly, you need to talk to him, ask questions about his condition, have conversations about the future, and make plans. These conversations must be positive. It is necessary to “instill” in the child an optimistic attitude, instill confidence, and show that he is capable of achieving his goals. Do not blame the child for being “always dissatisfied”; it is better to show him the positive sides and resources of his personality. There is no need to compare him with other guys - more successful and good-natured. These comparisons will exacerbate the teenager's already low self-esteem. You can compare the teenager of today with the teenager of yesterday and set up a positive image of the teenager of tomorrow.

Secondly, try to get as close to him as possible, do things together, add variety to everyday life, go on exciting excursions on weekends, come up with new ways to do household chores, visit the cinema, exhibitions. You can get a pet - caring for a defenseless creature can mobilize a child and put him in a positive mood.

Thirdly, a teenager needs to follow a daily routine. Make sure that he gets enough sleep, eats normally, spends enough time in the fresh air, and engages in outdoor sports.

Fourth, seek advice from a specialist - a psychologist or psychiatrist.