IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i10p5856-d1149661.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Perspective on the Prevention of Suicide among School Learners by School Management

Author

Listed:
  • Hilda N. Shilubane

    (Department of Advanced Nursing Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa)

  • Robert A. C. Ruiter

    (Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Lunic B. Khoza

    (Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa)

  • Bart H. W. van den Borne

    (Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background: Adolescents in South Africa have higher suicide rates than older people. A suicide or unexpected death of a fellow student can result in increased copycat behavior. Previous studies have placed emphasis on the significance of school involvement in the prevention of suicide. The study sought to explore the perspective on the prevention of suicide among school learners by school management. A qualitative phenomenological design was applied. The study used purposive sampling to select six high schools. In-depth interviews were conducted with six focus group discussions comprising fifty school management. A semi-structured interview guide guided the interviews. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. Findings revealed that school management should be supported through workshops to increase their skills in handling stressful situations at school. Support for learners through audio-visuals, professional counseling, and awareness campaigns also emerged. Parents–school partnership was said to be effective in preventing suicide among learners as both parties will be free to discuss the problems faced by the learner. In conclusion, empowering school management in the prevention of suicide is critical for Limpopo learners. Awareness campaigns conducted by suicide survivors where they can share their testimonies is necessary. School-based professional counseling services should be established to benefit all learners, particularly those experiencing financial challenges. Pamphlets in local languages should be developed for students to convey information about suicide.

Suggested Citation

  • Hilda N. Shilubane & Robert A. C. Ruiter & Lunic B. Khoza & Bart H. W. van den Borne, 2023. "Perspective on the Prevention of Suicide among School Learners by School Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5856-:d:1149661
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/10/5856/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/10/5856/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miklin, Sanja & Mueller, Anna S. & Abrutyn, Seth & Ordonez, Katherine, 2019. "What does it mean to be exposed to suicide?: Suicide exposure, suicide risk, and the importance of meaning-making," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 233(C), pages 21-27.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yan Chen & Aarno Laitila, 2023. "Longitudinal Changes in Suicide Bereavement Experiences: A Qualitative Study of Family Members over 18 Months after Loss," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Tania Pearce & Lyndal Bugeja & Sarah Wayland & Myfanwy Maple, 2021. "Effective Elements for Workplace Responses to Critical Incidents and Suicide: A Rapid Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5856-:d:1149661. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.