Peculiarities of social work practices in the management of suicidal behaviours among adolescents in Lithuania and Slovakia

Abstract

Background: The increasing rate of suicide/suicidal behaviours among adolescents worldwide is a significant global concern that calls for attention. Lithuania and Slovakia, two European Union countries with unique cultural, social, and economic contexts, have not been immune to adolescent suicide. Social workers are often at the forefront of assisting adolescents and their families in navigating these life-threatening situations, placing a significant responsibility on their shoulders. However, the demands of this task can be further intensified by emotional/psychological toll, legal conflicts/ethical dilemmas or challenges maintaining professional boundaries while working in multidisciplinary teams. Yet there is a shortage of research that examines the distinctive social work practices implemented in these two countries to manage adolescent suicidal behaviours. This study, therefore, sought to explore and document the peculiarities of social work practices in Lithuania and Slovakia. Methods: This study is a qualitative cross-sectional study using semi-structured interviews. Nine participants (5 in Lithuania and 4 from Slovakia), male and female social workers working with youths in Slovakia and Lithuania, were selected through the purposive sampling method. The recorded interviews were manually transcribed verbatim and entered into the MAXQDA software version 2022 for thematic content analysis. Results: Social workers in this study expressed that social work practices can be seen at the different stages of care which include prevention, assessment, management and further care. The particpants provided various examples of how they contribute to the prevention of suicide among adolescents by organising mental health awareness workshops in schools, youth clubs, camping, sports events and other youth gatherings. The challenges emphasised included contradicting opinions in the management plan with other professionals, fear of losing clients, high workloads, and resistance from parents. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed the important contributions of social workers from the prevention to intervention stages, ensuring that adolescents in Lithuania and Slovakia receive the right care and support needed during suicidal crises. However, a recommendation was made to the Lithuanian government for the need for more psychiatrists and a reduction in the waiting hours for appointment dates, while in Slovakia, social workers in the study highlighted the need for comprehensive social work training focused on assessing suicidal tendencies and providing psychological first aid.