According to data from the National Police Headquarters, 4,845 suicides were recorded in our country last year. The percentage of young people in a so-called suicidal crisis is also worrying: according to research by the DiversityPL Foundation, almost half of young people in Poland declare that they have had suicidal thoughts, and nearly 60% know someone who has attempted suicide. In this context, preventive and educational measures are extremely important. These (among other) activities will be the focus of a conference on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, organised jointly by the University of Gdańsk and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The event will take place on 10 September at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Gdańsk.
‘Suicide is one of the most serious mental health challenges, affecting not only individuals in crisis, but also entire families, communities and healthcare systems,’ says Danuta Sowińska, PhD student at the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Gdańsk and organiser of the conference. ‘In 2024, there were 4,845 cases of people who took their own lives in Poland. Discussions on suicide prevention and mental health, education and the development of effective preventive measures are therefore essential to save lives, dispel harmful stereotypes and show that it is possible to survive a crisis - provided that you are not left alone to face it.’
According to the World Health Organisation, as reported by the organiser, the most common causes of suicidal thoughts among children and young people include family problems, break-ups, conflicts with peers, educational pressure, illness, experiences of violence and financial difficulties. It is particularly worrying that the sharpest increase in suicides occurs between puberty and early adulthood. ‘Research by the DiversityPL Foundation confirms the scale of the problem in Poland: as many as 48.6% of students say they have had suicidal thoughts, 72.4% know someone in their environment who is struggling with such a crisis, and 59.4% know someone who has attempted suicide. These figures leave no room for doubt: talking about this phenomenon, spreading reliable knowledge and introducing preventive measures are an absolute necessity,’ emphasises Danuta Sowińska.
The topics of the conference (which will be an opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices) include suicide prevention, mental health promotion and support for intervention and educational activities in this area. Speakers will include prof. dr hab. n. med. Agnieszka Gmitrowicz (UMED Łódź) and dr Daria Biechowska (SWPS), who have been creating and developing the Suicide Prevention Programme in Poland for many years. The Provincial Police Headquarters in Gdańsk, which is also the honorary patron of the conference, will present current and comprehensive statistical data (both by age and region). The event is partnered by the Academic Psychological Support Centre at the University of Gdańsk.
‘Suicide prevention starts with conversation, empathy and noticing other people,’ emphasises dr Agata Rudnik, Director of ACPS. ‘Every day, we work with young people who often face emotional crises, feelings of loneliness or helplessness. Together, we can break the barriers of silence and build support networks, which are so valuable today.’
Dr Agata Rudnik emphasises that International Suicide Prevention Day is not only a symbolic date, but above all a reminder that each of us has an impact on protecting human life. It is worth talking openly about a problem that is still often taboo and stigmatised.
The conference is aimed at specialists in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, pedagogy, sociology, suicidology, social work, public health, education, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations and public institutions.
Detailed information, rules and a link to registration can be found on the conference website.
We encourage you to participate!