In the latest episode of the podcast “Jestem tu jeszcze” (“I’m still here”), we talk about those who are the first to help children and young people in suicidal crisis. Our guest is Aneta Szymańska, head of the nursing team at the Mazovian Neuropsychiatric Center – a nurse with 28 years of experience who meets with the youngest patients every day at the most difficult moments of their lives.
Aneta Szymańska admits that she has contact with children in suicidal crisis almost every day. The most common attempts are self-harm, drug poisoning, and sometimes jumping from heights. As she emphasizes, such acts are often a “cry of despair,” the result of reaching a “wall” behind which the child sees no other way out – and there is no adult around who would really listen to them.
Among the most common causes, she lists family conflicts (especially those related to divorce), domestic violence, addiction, hate and bullying at school or on the internet.
In our conversation, we discuss topics such as:
- The key role played in the treatment process by the trust between the child and the nursing staff, who observe and predict their behavior on a daily basis.
- Why a stay at the center is often the moment of diagnosis—e.g., autism spectrum disorder, ADHD—and the beginning of comprehensive therapy, including not only pharmacological treatment, but also therapeutic activities, meetings with a psychologist, and education at the hospital school.
- How does the staff maintain a professional distance, without “mothering” or replacing the parents?
- What is the significance of regular, open educational meetings for parents and teachers?
- And finally, what is the most important advice for parents? “Listen, talk, and be attentive.”
The podcast is part of the project “Suicidology – state of knowledge analysis and educational campaign,” conducted by the Nicolaus Copernicus Superior School in Warsaw on behalf of the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
The episode is available for listening on Spotify and YouTube, with English subtitles.
