Suicide rates in children and adolescents have increased by one percent per year over the past 20 years. A problem that has been reflected in Storuman's municipality.
During the week, SVT reported that two suicides shook Storuman in a short time and that voices were raised about daring to talk more about mental illness.
Suicide Zero: "Extensive investments are needed to reverse the trend"Extensive investments and investments are required to reverse the trend, according to Suicide Zero. Marcus Eriksson is the regional manager for Suicide Zero in Västra Götaland and points out that Storuman's municipality needs an action plan that engages the entire municipality and works broadly to make the work more efficient. It is also important that a collaboration between the municipality and other actors works well.
- They need to grab and run the work themselves, but we can support how to develop the action plan. If you haven't had one before, this and other similar events must be seen as a signal to start, says Marcus Eriksson.
"Dare to ask how your friend is doing"The action plan's work may look different. Among other things, there are courses aimed at helping young people to dare to ask how their friend is doing and to increase the knowledge that it is not dangerous to approach the subject.
- The research shows that already at school, young people should be given knowledge about the subject in order for them to be given tools to put words into their thoughts and feelings. If, as a young person, you feel ill and do not have knowledge of what is happening and what you do to feel better, you may end up in a dangerous situation. Even those around the person may need knowledge to help. This is a question that one must start with in school, says Marcus Eriksson.
- I don't think there's a quickfix. You have to have patience at work. Politicians also need to decide that it is something you want to invest in if you have not already done so, says Marcus Eriksson.