Evaluation of Creative Materials Supporting Healthcare Professionals in Discussing Suicidality in Children and Adolescents

Preliminary research clearly indicates a significant shortage of evidence-based tools and interventions specifically targeting suicidality among children and adolescents. The need for such methodologies is substantial, as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are relatively common within this age group. According to the 2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, 16% of boys and 28% of girls aged 13 to 18 reported having had suicidal thoughts on two or more occasions in their lifetime (Schrijvers et al., 2023). Compared to the previous HBSC study conducted in 2018, this represents a negative trend, as 13% of boys and 22% of girls reported suicidal thoughts at that time (Dierckens et al., 2019). Facilitating open discussions about suicidal thoughts is therefore of critical importance. Research has shown that discussing suicidality does not increase suicidal behavior; rather, it can contribute to a reduction in risk (Blades et al., 2018; Dazzi et al., 2014; DeCou \& Schumann, 2018; Polihronis et al., 2022). Breaking the taboo around suicidality and attuning to the emotional experiences of children and adolescents may serve as an initial step toward providing effective support. Such openness can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation by fostering a safe environment in which young people feel heard and understood. Moreover, the act of speaking openly about suicidality is associated with increased social support-an important protective factor (Batty et …

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Eva De Jaegere, PhD  ·  +3293320775  ·  eva.dejaegere@ugent.be

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