SAVE: Suicide Prevention in Schools

Abstract

Suicide is the second most frequent cause of death among young people aged 15 to 20 years. However, it is unfortunately a taboo topic in today’s society (Federal Statistical Office, 2018). Suicide prevention among adolescents therefore is of high relevance. Schools, as an important learning and living environment for young people, offer a framework for suicide prevention initiatives such as gatekeeper trainings and psychoeducational programs. Persons involved in school life can act as gatekeepers, perceiving warning signals of suicidal behavior and encouraging students at risk of suicide to seek help (Hamann & Schweigert, 2013). The main focus of the project “SAVE” is health promotion and health maintenance through the promotion of self-regulation strategies. The aim is to efficiently involve the key players in school life – teachers and students – to achieve the greatest possible effect in terms of suicide prevention. Against this background, gatekeeper trainings and psychoeducational prevention programs are combined and a cooperation with regional care structures is established. This multi-perspective approach, based on an innovative combination of these three components, is intended to overcome weaknesses in previous preventive approaches. The program will be evaluated within the scope of an intervention study at two locations (Darmstadt and Heidelberg). The results will allow conclusions to be drawn about the further development of suicide prevention approaches and their implementation in schools. Training materials will be made available to the public at the end of the project.