Page 10 - 2023 Intuition, Imagination and Innovation in Suicidology Conference
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3 Intuition, Imagination and Innovation in Suicidology Conference Sudden Deaths in Schools: Breaking Bad News
and Interventions of Support
Invited lecture · Vita Poštuvan
Assoc. prof. Vita Poštuvan works as a researcher and Deputy Head of the Slovene
Centre for Suicide Research (UP IAM) and Department of Psychology (FAMNIT) at
the University of Primorska. She leads the work related to clinical-research and
public-health interventions in suicidology, bereavement, crisis interventions and
psychotherapy. She has participated in major European and Slovenian studies in
the fields of (public) mental health, suicidology and psychology, which were pu-
blished in international journals. She has worked at the National Center of Neu-
rology and Psychiatry (NCNP) in Tokyo, Japan as well as in the Suicide Research
Group, Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University
of Vienna, Austria, as a fellow researcher. Her professional work is also focused
on psychological counselling, psychotherapy and prevention. As a psychological
counsellor and cognitive-behavioural therapist she offers psychological support
for students and individuals and implements mindfulness-based cognitive the-
rapy. She is a member of the national unit for psychological research within civil
protection.
Abstract. The death of a young person happens more rarely compared to
older people. Although any news of the death of a loved one represents a
significant and usually painful moment, in the case of a young person it is
even more profound. There are some differences regarding the cause of de-
ath, such as suicide, accidents or diseases. The way death is communicated in
the school setting is important, as it can have long-term effects on the men-
tal and physical health of the bereaved and those affected. There are several
models for addressing death in the classroom or school setting. However, pe-
ers are not the only group that needs in-depth support: teachers (especially
classroom teachers), counsellors, and principals are often deeply affected by
such news. In order for them to provide appropriate support to grieviclas-
smates or friends (adolescents), debriefing and support interventions must
be implemented.
10 https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-251-0.2
and Interventions of Support
Invited lecture · Vita Poštuvan
Assoc. prof. Vita Poštuvan works as a researcher and Deputy Head of the Slovene
Centre for Suicide Research (UP IAM) and Department of Psychology (FAMNIT) at
the University of Primorska. She leads the work related to clinical-research and
public-health interventions in suicidology, bereavement, crisis interventions and
psychotherapy. She has participated in major European and Slovenian studies in
the fields of (public) mental health, suicidology and psychology, which were pu-
blished in international journals. She has worked at the National Center of Neu-
rology and Psychiatry (NCNP) in Tokyo, Japan as well as in the Suicide Research
Group, Department for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University
of Vienna, Austria, as a fellow researcher. Her professional work is also focused
on psychological counselling, psychotherapy and prevention. As a psychological
counsellor and cognitive-behavioural therapist she offers psychological support
for students and individuals and implements mindfulness-based cognitive the-
rapy. She is a member of the national unit for psychological research within civil
protection.
Abstract. The death of a young person happens more rarely compared to
older people. Although any news of the death of a loved one represents a
significant and usually painful moment, in the case of a young person it is
even more profound. There are some differences regarding the cause of de-
ath, such as suicide, accidents or diseases. The way death is communicated in
the school setting is important, as it can have long-term effects on the men-
tal and physical health of the bereaved and those affected. There are several
models for addressing death in the classroom or school setting. However, pe-
ers are not the only group that needs in-depth support: teachers (especially
classroom teachers), counsellors, and principals are often deeply affected by
such news. In order for them to provide appropriate support to grieviclas-
smates or friends (adolescents), debriefing and support interventions must
be implemented.
10 https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-251-0.2
