Brussels, 1 March – The number of young people in Flanders experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm has nearly doubled since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
The findings, highlighted by VUB Professor Imke Baetens ahead of Self-Harm Awareness Day, underscore the growing mental health crisis among young people in Belgium.
Baetens, an expert in the prevention and treatment of emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents, stressed the importance of addressing this issue, particularly in schools. “It’s impossible to treat all these young people professionally, but fortunately, that’s not necessary,” she said.
“About one third of young people experiment with self-harm a few times, similar to experimenting with drugs. We officially refer to self-harm when the behaviour occurs more than five times in a year.”
Rising Cases of Depression and Self-Harm
The VUB study found that one in three young people in Flanders have experimented with self-harm, with cases appearing at increasingly younger ages.
More than half of Flemish students report experiencing at least one psychological symptom in the past week, including anxiety, depressive feelings, or sleep problems.
Since the pandemic, Baetens noted a significant increase in psychological distress among youth in Belgium and worldwide.
“Young people are increasingly using maladaptive coping mechanisms like avoidance, escape, and substance abuse,” she said. “We are now seeing this behaviour at younger ages, including among 12 to 13-year-olds.”
The pandemic’s impact, Baetens explained, has been compounded by global crises, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, violence in the Middle East, nuclear threats, economic uncertainty, and the climate crisis.
“History shows that pandemics and major global events have long-term mental health consequences,” she said.
Schools as the First Line of Defense
To tackle the growing crisis, Baetens is advocating for preventive measures within schools. She has developed a self-harm prevention package designed to help schools create policies to address and discuss self-harm among students.
“It includes a step-by-step plan for developing a school protocol,” she explained, emphasizing that schools play a crucial role in early intervention.
In addition to the prevention package, VUB has launched a two-day training programme for self-harm and suicide prevention advisors.
“The training helps care coordinators and school staff develop a school-specific prevention policy,” Baetens noted. This initiative aims to equip educators and staff with the tools to recognize early warning signs and provide appropriate support to students.
Resources for Caregivers and Educators
Recognizing the need for a wider support network, Baetens has also developed a toolkit for caregivers. This includes screening questionnaires, conversation cards, brochures, and a documentary featuring personal stories from experts and individuals with lived experiences.
“These tools are meant to help caregivers engage in constructive conversations about self-harm and mental health with young people,” she said.
As Self-Harm Awareness Day brings attention to this pressing issue, Baetens and her team at VUB hope that their efforts will encourage open discussions, reduce stigma, and ensure that young people in Belgium receive the support they need before their struggles escalate into more severe mental health challenges.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
