Faculty of Pedagogy Hosted the Blended Intensive Programme “13 Reasons Why: Student Symposium on Suicide”
On March 17–21, the Faculty of Pedagogy at Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution hosted the blended intensive programme “13 Reasons Why: Student Symposium on Suicide”. Students and lecturers from Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Germany), Howest University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), the Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (Portugal) and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (Austria) joined Social Work students from the Faculty of Pedagogy to take part in workshops, lectures and field visit on the topic of suicide prevention.
During the week, Sofie Honraet, a lecturer at Howest University of Applied Sciences, presented philosophical views on suicide, while her colleague Ivo Opstaele talked about the psychological aspects of suicide. Prof. Dr. Maike Wagenaar from Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts spoke on the topic of substance use as a survival strategy or slow suicide. Dr. Said Dadašev, assistant professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, presented the risk factors for suicide in Lithuania. The researcher provided data on suicide rates from the interwar period to the present day, commenting on the historical turning points that have led to changes in suicide statistics. Dr. Dadašev also spoke about the Lithuanian mental health system, at risk groups and discussed suicidal ideation within the correctional system. Alina Martinkutė-Vorobej, lecturer at the Department of Social Wellbeing, conducted a workshop encouraging students to reflect on the impact of bullying on students’ suicidal thoughts and the methods of assistance used by social workers.
Prof. Dr. Paulius Skruibis, associate professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, spoke on suicide prevention in Lithuania, presenting various initiatives that have been carried out in different regions as well as the capital city of Vilnius, and discussing recommendations for media outlets concerning ethical public information about suicide. During the week, students learned the main guidelines for counselling people at risk of suicide. The seminar on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth was led by psychologist Miglė Motiejūnė.
Students and lecturers also visited the Suicide Prevention Unit at the Vilnius City Mental Health Center, where the head of the unit, psychologist Dr. Vaiva Klimaitė presented the institution’s activities and the specialised therapies used in working with people at risk of suicide.
On Friday, students reflected on the knowledge and experience they gained throughout the week.
