It is worth noting the data that clearly show that it is necessary to talk about the mental problems of young people. The number of suicides among young people has decreased for a year. This makes experts happy because it means that public awareness of the problem is increasing. However, as they say, there is still a lot of work to be done.
– Some parents think that the child does not live in the time of communism and does not know that he cannot face such problems, – says Ivo, a pupil of school No. 31 in Warsaw.
Not communism, but social media, excessive parental expectations, and the race to see who is bigger and better. Young people have a lot on their minds and they don’t always manage to do it all. – Today we have to talk about mental health, like we talk about the flu, – says Anna Gil, head of the suicide prevention office.
READ ALSO: Child psychiatry in Poland is “19th century” in some places. The children are sleeping with belts
Precisely because more and more people know that mental health crises can be overcome. The more that is said out loud, the more impact it has. “The system has started to work, which means that young people are getting help,” says Dr. Halaska Witkowski from the Polish Society of Suicidology.
Compared to 2023 and 2024, the number of suicides among children and adolescents under 19 years has decreased by more than 12 percent. This trend has been visible for two years.
– Even if it is a suicide, it will always be one suicide too many – says Polina Piechna-Vickiewicz, Deputy Minister of National Education.
Depression should not be ignored and you should seek help. “I didn’t know it was a disease” Stefania Kulik/Fakty po Południu TVN24
Standards of care and special training videos
Schools are a very important part of the whole system for the mental health of young people. Therefore, the Ministry of National Education has sent teachers standards of care for people in suicidal crisis.
But while the number of suicides is lower, the number of suicide attempts by children and teenagers exceeded 2,000 last year, but experts say that the trend is decreasing, as this is the second time in a row that it has increased by 3 percent and not more. from 80 percent, as it was in the past.
– We also have to assume that people’s awareness informs them about calling the helplines, – notes Dr. Halaska Witkowska.
SEE ALSO: Kids Can’t Cope With Depression Without Support The Gdańsk Hospital teaches people how to recognize that they need it
In order to recognize the first signs of depression, as well as to better understand yourself, your friend, your child or your student, the Gdansk Regional Psychiatric Hospital has prepared a series of educational films. – In such a short version, i.e. 15 minutes, so that they can be used well in educational hours, – says the press secretary of the Gdansk Regional Psychiatric Hospital, Anna Czarnowska.
The videos are available online and anyone can learn more about anxiety and depression from them. – Unfortunately, there is no conversation at home, the time is very limited. A question arises, how was the situation at the school, – notes the teacher, deputy director of school No. 31, Warsaw Krzysztof Obrebsky.
Emotional first aid consists of four rules: alert, ask, accept, respond.
If you have emotional problems and want advice or support, here is a list of organizations that offer professional help. In case of immediate threat to life, call 997 or 112.
Main image source: Shutterstock
