This master’s thesis focuses on the work and experiences of school counsellors when dealing with student suicidality, an aspect that often remains overlooked in public discourse. The theoretical section is divided into several thematic areas. First, I define suicidality and related concepts and present an overview of adolescent suicidality, with particular attention to warning signs, risk factors and protective factors. I then examine the identification and management of suicidal behaviour within the school setting, as well as the role of the school counselling service in prevention, intervention and postvention processes. In the concluding part of the theoretical framework, I devote special attention to the experiences of professionals confronted with a student’s suicidality and to the importance of self-care and support networks they need when working with this topic.
In the empirical section I present findings based on five interviews conducted with school counsellors from primary schools and high schools who have experienced either a student suicide or student suicidality. I explored how and how often counsellors encounter students at risk of suicide, what forms of support, guidelines and approaches they use when assisting the school community, what challenges and obstacles they face, what additional knowledge, competencies and training they consider necessary and with whom they collaborate during the intervention process. I also gave particular attention to how counsellors themselves experience such events, what forms of support and assistance they receive and what additional support they would need to cope more effectively with these experiences.
The findings of this thesis highlight the important role of school counselling services in addressing student suicidality, as well as the diversity of experiences and meanings that counsellors attribute to this demanding work. The research shows that the most effective approach for students in distress, as well as for the wider school community, is one based on ensuring safety, confidentiality and collaboration. At the same time, the study emphasizes that counsellors are also bereaved in this process and that it is therefore essential to ensure systematically organised support for their well-being, resilience and capacity to perform quality work.
|
