BMC Public Health (Sep 2012)

Suicide prevention for youth - a mental health awareness program: lessons learned from the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) intervention study

  • Wasserman Camilla,
  • Hoven Christina W,
  • Wasserman Danuta,
  • Carli Vladimir,
  • Sarchiapone Marco,
  • Al-Halabí Susana,
  • Apter Alan,
  • Balazs Judit,
  • Bobes Julio,
  • Cosman Doina,
  • Farkas Luca,
  • Feldman Dana,
  • Fischer Gloria,
  • Graber Nadja,
  • Haring Christian,
  • Herta Dana,
  • Iosue Miriam,
  • Kahn Jean-Pierre,
  • Keeley Helen,
  • Klug Katja,
  • McCarthy Jacklyn,
  • Tubiana-Potiez Alexandra,
  • Varnik Airi,
  • Varnik Peeter,
  • Žiberna Janina,
  • Poštuvan Vita

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-776
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 776

Abstract

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Abstract Background The Awareness program was designed as a part of the EU-funded Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) intervention study to promote mental health of adolescents in 11 European countries by helping them to develop problem-solving skills and encouraging them to self-recognize the need for help as well as how to help peers in need. Methods For this descriptive study all coordinators of the SEYLE Awareness program answered an open-ended evaluation questionnaire at the end of the project implementation. Their answers were synthesized and analyzed and are presented here. Results The results show that the program cultivated peer understanding and support. Adolescents not only learned about mental health by participating in the Awareness program, but the majority of them also greatly enjoyed the experience. Conclusions Recommendations for enhancing the successes of mental health awareness programs are presented. Help and cooperation from schools, teachers, local politicians and other stakeholders will lead to more efficacious future programs.

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