In my diploma I will research the work of social workers with adolescents who have suicidal thoughts at Center za socialno delo Ljubljana. Suicidality and suicides are a problematic phenomenon in Slovenia, therefore, it is important that people who come across individuals facing suicidality are well equipped with the knowledge necessary to take action. Those employed in the profession of social work also encounter adolescents with suicidal thoughts – that is why it is crucial that the social workers have the knowledge and skills which they will be able to use in the helping process.
In the first part of the thesis, I will review and study the literature. I will describe risk factors that can lead to suicidal thoughts or even suicide, and the warning signs of suicidal individuals. Additionally, I will touch upon the subject of prevention and later focus on the work of social workers with adolescents with suicidal thoughts. I will also mention the effects of Covid-19 epidemic on adolescents.
In the second part of the thesis, I will present my qualitative research in which I researched the frequency of meetings of social workers with adolescents who have suicidal thoughts and with other vulnerable groups of adolescents. I will also analyze the methods of social workers in the process of helping adolescents with suicidal thoughts and enquire the sources of knowledge about suicidality among social workers and mention the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on adolescents. Finally, I will present the findings of my research and make a few of my own suggestions for further improvement in this area.
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