Suicidal ideation in young people : the role of the youth worker

Abstract

Over the past years, suicide has reached alarming proportions in many countries all over the world. Statistics portray young people as being a vulnerable age group for suicidal tendencies. Various elements may contribute to suicide ideation. One of the major topics for discussion is the fact that usually, young people who contemplate suicide, send a number of coded messages to the people who are closer to them and whom they live with or share school and leisure time with. However, this cry for help is rarely understood, due to the fact that most professionals fail to detect and recognise the extent of the problem. Due to. their informal and close relationship with young people, youth workers may aid the detection of suicidal ideation and, in this way, preventive action can take place. The aim of this study is that of elucidating the possible role of the youth worker in this field. Interviews have been carried out with ten young people who attempted to commit suicide, with the aim of finding fertile ground where the youth worker can be of help in the field of prevention. The result of these interviews are presented and discussed in this study.