Projects / Programmes
An introduction to new intervention strategies for reducing suicidal behaviour in Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.09.00 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S260 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.01 |
Social Sciences |
Psychology and cognitive sciences |
prevention of suicide, intervention programmes, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, evaluation
Researchers (17)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Suicide represents one of the biggest public healthcare challenges in Slovenia. Every third cause of death in Slovenia is suicide, which is about twice to three times as much as in other equally developed European countries (Marušič and Temnik, 2009). Some authors (Ziherl, 2009) warn that this issue is even heavier nowadays; due to recession, life standard is lower which also threatens our mental health. Suicidal statistics have been more optimistic in the past few years (SURS, 2009). Nevertheless, in Slovenia, this field of research is still only partly developed. That diminishes the possibilities for intervention and prevention of suicidal behaviour. This includes everything from promoting positive mental health to prevention and intervention in case of negative mental health.
In accordance with these facts, the aim of the project is two-fold: first, to upgrade and expand the knowledge of the risk factors, the protecting factors, and effective interventions with a special focus on controlling the effects of recession on suicidality, and second, on the basis on the literature integrate and evaluate the applied interventions to prevent suicides and suicidal thoughts.
The applied interventions will include adjusted methods for specific groups at higher risks of developing suicidal behaviour, taking into count the capabilities and specifics of the groups. People that are at higher risk are the individuals who have already attempted to commit suicide, those, who think about committing suicide and the relatives of suicide attempters (Goldney, 2005; Leitner, Barr and Hobbz, 2008). The nature of the applied interventions will be both qualitative and quantitative. Despite the latest recommendations of this field (Hjelmeland, 2008) that the combination of both methods gives the best results, such multimodal approaches are rare. The participants in the study will therefore take part in both clinical interviews as well as in standardised testing of cognitive and neuropsychological functions. On the basis of the aforementioned awareness and promotion of healthy lifestyles, the project will also include a work on two relatively neglected areas, namely to educate and empower the police to prevent suicides and inform the relatives of the suicide attempters, and to educate and empower the journalists and media in reporting about suicides.
The results of this project will provide new and more precise qualitative findings about the risk factors and protecting factors for suicidal behaviour, which is essential in the area of prevention, early recognition and quick intervention in individuals at risk. Furthermore, on the basis of the quantitative measures it will be possible to determine the suitability and efficiency of the suggested interventions, and place them as a possible treatment option in Slovenia. Finally, the combination of the method will offer a unique insight into the role of the recession times on mental health and suicidality.
Literatura:
- Goldney, R.D. (2005) A Pragmatic Review of Recent Studies. Crisis. Vol. 26, pp. 128-140.
- Hjelmeland, H. (2008). What kind of research do we need in suicidology today? Glasgow: 12th ESSSB.
- Leitner, M. Barr, W. and Hobby, L. (2008). Effectiveness of interventions to Prevent Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour: a Systematic Review. Health & Community Care Research Unit, Liverpool University.
- Marušič, A., & Temnik, S. (2009). Javno duševno zdravje. Celje: Celjska Mohorjeva družba.
- Statistični urad Republike Slovenije, Ministrstvo za notranje zadeve - Centralni register prebivalstva, Inštitut za varovanje zdravja. Pridobljeno s spleta na dan 1. 6. 2009: http://www.stat.si/pxweb/Dialog/Saveshow.asp
- Ziherl, S. (2009). Uvod. In: Javno duševno zdravje (Eds. Marušič & Temnik). Celje: Celjska Mohorjeva družba.
Significance for science
The project was important to start new strategies in suicide prevention, which has a direct influence on development of proffesions such as suicidology, psychiatry, psychology and public health. The use of qualitative research methods was used for the first time used on the sample like that in Slovenia. Results help us to understand suicidal behaviour better. Interventions for vounerable people and its efficiency have usually not been studied with many different research methods, even though research suggest to use many variables to make this kind of assessments. Thus, we decided for a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods into our study. We developed an evaluation model - quantitative part included psychological questionnaires on mental health and MBCT efficiency and for qualitative we developed a interview. With that we can have more reliable ways to interpret our findings. Also, this combination can serve as a case-study how to use mix-method approaches. The project allowed us to collaborate with broader international community in the field. An example are media guidelines, which we fistly translated and adjusted. Later we published with other partners on this subject. Scientific relevence is also in the development of the preventive programmes for police and vounerable groups. If this is not done, we lack important information about the efficiency.
Significance for the country
The project introduced several important interventions for suicide prevention in Slovenia and gave some important scientific outcomes. The interventions aiming directly to people might be of special importance. Programme NARA introduces in Slovenia efficent interventions for mental health promotion and prevention of suicide. It teaches better coping with stressful situations and helps preventing and managing depression. The parttaking in NARA programme was free of charge for all our participants. That means we enabled also those, who have many financial problems and were even affected by the economic recession, to learn the mindfulness skills. The recession namelly can trigger more distress and psychological help usually demands costly systems of help. We educated a group of young, but experienced psychologists in the MBCT approach. That means they will be able to use the knowledge in the future. The project also enabled to disseminate our findings in broader scientific and professional community in Slovenia and abroad.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
