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Suicide Prevention: University Students’ Narratives on Their Reasons for Living and for Dying

Author

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  • Ines Testoni

    (Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
    Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Silvia Piol

    (Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Diego De Leo

    (Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane 4122, Australia)

Abstract

Social isolation and loneliness are increasing in our contemporary western society and seem to correlate with suicide in adolescents and young adults. Social Workers are a potential resource to create such initiatives and projects that promote inclusion and cohesion within communities, a protective factor against suicide. Sixty-two Social Work BA students participated in a Death Education course based on education on suicide prevention. Participants carried out two activities. First, they were invited to complete two written semi-structured interviews on young people’s reasons for living and dying. Second, they were invited to design suicide prevention interventions targeted at their peers and adolescents. Data were analyzed qualitatively within the Thematic Analysis framework. As regards the first activity, four main themes were identified: (1) Internet and social media; (2) social isolation and loneliness; (3) the importance of proximal relationships; and, (4) the importance of networking between proximal relationships, educational institutions and mental health services. Whereas, as for suicide prevention interventions, three main ideas were identified: (1) suicide prevention through community and networking between services; (2) academic institutions: high schools and universities; and, (3) suicide prevention through new technologies. To conclude, Death Education as education on suicide prevention can offer young people a space in which to voice their and their peers’ reasons for living and dying and to reflect upon their contribution to suicide prevention as students and as future professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Ines Testoni & Silvia Piol & Diego De Leo, 2021. "Suicide Prevention: University Students’ Narratives on Their Reasons for Living and for Dying," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:8029-:d:604130
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
    2. Ines Testoni & Elisa Tronca & Gianmarco Biancalani & Lucia Ronconi & Giovanna Calapai, 2020. "Beyond the Wall: Death Education at Middle School as Suicide Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Katharina Diehl & Charlotte Jansen & Kamila Ishchanova & Jennifer Hilger-Kolb, 2018. "Loneliness at Universities: Determinants of Emotional and Social Loneliness among Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, August.
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