Project aims to prevent teen suicide

A NEW project to prevent suicidal behaviour in teenagers is to be rolled out in Cork and Kerry schools.

The ‘Mind Yourself’ programme also hopes to boost positive mental health amongst the students in the ten selected schools.

Developed by Dr Paul Gaffney and Kiera Cosgrove, the project was piloted in the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) North Eastern region last year.

Their findings show that it is effective in increasing young people’s resilience, in developing coping mechanisms and reducing depressive symptoms.

Dr Ella Arensman and Ms Eva Fitzgerald from the Cork-based National Suicide Research Foundation now plan to introduce it in the south.

Their study will be carried out in partnership with the North Eastern team and will be partly funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund and Electric Aid Ireland.

Topics will include the nature of problems faced by young people, optimism and pessimism, thoughts and feelings, identification of problems and effective problem-solving strategies.

The programme aims to develop students’ problem-solving skills as well as reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Each student will also get a resource kit with information on important mental health topics and a list of health and counselling services aimed at teenagers.

Dr Arensman said the next step will be to examine whether the programme can help vulnerable young people with depression and those who self-harm.

* Childline, which also supports teenagers, is on 1800-666 666 or log on to www.spunout.ie.