Brent Centre For Young People - MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Walk in Referral Service Psychotherapy Mental Health in Schools Suicidal adolescent Project

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE - Suicidal Adolescents Project

Reduction of suicide is a key target in public health.

Statistics show that suicide attempts among young people have steadily increased over the past few years. Since 1982 the suicide rate amongst young men aged 15-25 has risen by 75%. In 1995 alone, in England and Wales, 696 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 killed themselves (Source: Brent & Harrow Health Authority).

We believe this psychotherapy project for suicidal adolescents will make a significant contribution to the reduction of suicide in young people involved in the project. Significant numbers of young people who have attended the Centre and who are referred to psychotherapy have previously attempted suicide, often more than once.

This project will identify, assess and treat young people aged 16-20 who have attempted suicide and are considered to be at risk of further attempts. These young people will undergo psychotherapeutic treatment in weekly sessions for a period of up to three years. It is expected that each adolescent would attend on average forty sessions per year. The project will build on previous study undertaken at Brent Adolescent Centre and will involve audit and evaluation of adolescents treated psychotherapeutically.

Project aims:

To help adolescents to understand their emotional conflicts and difficulties and the reason for their suicidal feelings;
To prevent suicide, further suicide attempts and a possible crippling mental disturbance in adulthood;
To help develop the capacity to think and thereby reduce self- destructive behaviour;
To increase self esteem and the young person's sense of self worth;
To contribute to the establishment of a solid therapeutic approach to working with young people;
To disseminate the findings from this project to help others working with this vulnerable group.