In June, representatives of the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School project team conducted suicidology workshops for teaching staff and students of the Police Academy in Piła. The meeting was held as part of the research and educational project “Suicidology – state of knowledge analysis and educational campaign,” funded by the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
The aim of the project implemented by the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School is to diagnose the level of social awareness of the issue of suicide among children and to conduct educational activities that are crucial for the early recognition and prevention of suicidal risks.
During the workshop, the current state of knowledge on suicidal behavior, risk factors, and the importance of early intervention and prevention were explored. Definitions and basic concepts in suicidology were discussed, as well as statistics and trends related to suicide among children and adolescents in Poland. Particular attention was paid to risk factors such as family problems, peer violence, emotional difficulties, and the impact of the digital environment and social media.
Participants also had the opportunity to learn about practical tools for supporting the recognition of warning signs and conducting intervention conversations.
An important part of the meeting was the analysis of warning signs that may indicate a threat to life both in the behavior and verbal communications of children and young people. Workshop participants learned what they should pay particular attention to and how to respond in situations of potential mental crisis.
A separate block of classes was devoted to the role of uniformed services, including police officers, in suicide prevention. It was emphasized that police officers are often the first people to come into contact with children in emotional crisis. For this reason, equipping them with the appropriate knowledge, as well as practical tools for action, is extremely important.
The workshops were an opportunity to share specialist knowledge with representatives of services who are often the first to come into contact with people in mental crisis.
