Collaborative strategies for adolescent suicide prevention: insights from Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan.

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to gain insights about the collaborative efforts of various professionals involved in preventing adolescent suicide within multidisciplinary teams in Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan.

Materials and methods: A qualitative research method was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 specialists from Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan.

Results: Despite differing levels of development and implementation of multidisciplinary team concepts, findings revealed a generally positive impact of collaborative efforts in both countries (more structured in Slovakia and less developed in Kyrgyzstan). Multidisciplinary teams in educational settings strive to create supportive environments for adolescents, contributing significantly to mitigating various issues during their formative years.

Conclusions: Prevention efforts require coordinated action among multiple social institutions with unified strategies. While progress has been made, there remains potential for further development, particularly in improving cooperation among specialists, national recognition of youth suicide as a critical issue, and institutionalizing procedures to elevate the status and education of multidisciplinary teams.

Significance: This research provides innovative insights into the effectiveness of multidisciplinary teams in suicide prevention among adolescents. By suggesting comprehensive strategies for team collaboration, it offers valuable contributions to reducing youth suicide rates in both Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan.