Adult Psychiatry Region Gävleborg has for some time been working on strengthening its efforts in suicide prevention training for staff. The region has now taken a new step in its suicide prevention work - all employees within Adult Psychiatry will complete the programme "Psyk-E bas suicid", a professional education developed by Karolinska Institutet.
The Psyk-E bas suicid initiative is a key element of the region's long-term strategy to reduce suicide and enhance professional competence in adult psychiatric care.
"We want to equip our employees with the tools they need to handle challenging situations in their daily work," says Maria Schenell.
That is precisely the aim of Psyk-E bas. Psyk-E bas is a series of flexible educational programmes based on current research and expert knowledge from some of Sweden's leading specialists in each field. The programme, developed by Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, combines short pre-recorded lectures with a study circle format. Psyk-E bas suicid is one of the courses within the broader Psyk-E bas programme.
Discussion leaders spread knowledge throughout the organisation
"We are very pleased to have started the collaboration with Karolinska Institutet on Psyk-E bas. The format offers a combination of facts and theoretical knowledge, while also allowing space for reflection on difficult perspectives and dilemmas that staff often face by themselves in their daily work," says Emelie Lundin.
The initiative includes not only access to the digital course Psyk-E bas suicid for all employees but also a targeted leadership effort. KI has trained 15 key individuals as discussion leaders during three on-site training sessions. These employees-nurses, psychologists, and assistant nurses-now play a central role in leading study circles and spreading knowledge throughout the organisation.
"The courses are designed for use in a study circle format, where discussion leaders combine lectures with discussion and reflection. When participants share their own experiences and situations in connection with the lectures, a shared and reflective learning environment is created. By linking research-based knowledge to their own work, participants gain deeper understanding and strengthened professional skills," explains Jenny Johansson Bornhammar , Project Manager at KI for Psyk-E bas.
Long-term commitment with continuous evaluation
The initiative has provided discussion leaders with both supervision and practical support to anchor the digital content. Their mission is to lead discussion groups and act as knowledge facilitators, ensuring the programme has maximum impact across the organisation. They thus become torchbearers in the ongoing suicide prevention work.
"We have about 500 employees, and thanks to the discussion leaders, we can make more room in everyday work for continued learning and security in the area of suicide prevention. Everyone is very inspired to get started," says Maria Schenell.
The region plans to work with Psyk-E bas for two years. The initiative will be continuously evaluated together with staff, after which a decision will be made on continued efforts.
"Suicide prevention work is never something you can consider finished. It is a continuous responsibility that must remain active and factually updated," concludes Maria Schenell.
