Suicide prevention situation analysis and stakeholder discussion in Estonia

Duration: 01.03.2021–30.04.2021
Funding: 5 000 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: WHO/2021/1099048-0
Funder: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

Empowering VATEK and suicide prevention

Duration: 01.01.2020–31.12.2021
Funding: 260 000 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: RE.3.01.19-0368
Funder: Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

Survey on mental health of 6th and 9th grade students in schools of Põlva county

Duration: 01.06.2019–30.04.2020
Funding: 4 020 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: ERSI-2019/1
Funder: Põlvamaa Development Centre
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

VATEK as a developer and optimizer of the mental health services pyramid

Duration: 01.02.2019–31.12.2019
Funding: 31 736 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: 3-3/863-1
Funder: Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

VATEK as a bridge on the border of social and health care sector

Duration: 01.02.2018–31.12.2018
Funding: 30 000 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: 3-3/527-1
Funder: Ministry of Social Affairs
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

Protective and risk factors of veterans’ suicidality

Duration: 24.10.2017–15.12.2018
Funding: 43 621 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: KVÜÕA-0.4-2.5/927
Funder: Estonian Military Academy
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

The number of suicides in the Estonian Defence Forces is rather small, not more than one case per year on average. The number of suicides among veterans is not known. The level of suicides in society on average is generally higher than in the military environment, but for several countries this statement is not valid any more (e.g. the United States). It is important to avoid getting on the same path in Estonia. Reaching to suicide is a process that is during shorter or longer period influenced by complex co- and counter-interactions of different protective and risk factors – psychological, social, cultural, neurobiological and demographic. Some of these are more easily modifiable, the others harder to affect, but knowing these factors makes possible to target preventive work more specifically. In preventions it is essential to increase the effect of protective factors and decrease the effect of risk factors. As suicide is a process, it is important to concentrate also on early recognition and prevention of milder forms of suicidality like suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Based on this description the objectives of the project are: (1) to find out the prevalence of suicidal behaviours and protective and risk factors of suicidality among veterans of the Defence Forces; (2) to analyse existing instruments for measuring suicide risk and to make proposals for developing tools for quantitative measurement within the Defence Forces.

Study on bullying in Rapla county

Duration: 01.07.2017–30.06.2019
Funding: 4 198 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: 619217702871
Funder: Estonian Union for Health Promotion
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

Increasing competences in social sector about mental health and international protection

Duration: 01.02.2017–31.12.2017
Funding: 30 000 EUR
Principal investigator: Merike Sisask
Number: 3-3/52-1
Funder: Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

Bullying at school

Duration: 01.02.2015–31.05.2015
Funding: 12 966 EUR
Principal investigator: Airi Värnik
Number: 156437
Funder: Tallinn University of Technology

Health Promotion Station – Trainings for Communities

Duration:01.07.2014–31.12.2015
Funding: 5 935 EUR
Principal investigator: Airi Värnik
Funder: Ministry of Social Affairs
Institution: Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

The purpose of the project „Health Promotion Station – Trainings for Communities“ is to establish and implement the training programme which is broad based, addresses different fields of practice and specialists, which is focused on health promotion activities and which supports the sustainable development of Estonian communities. The general aim for the training programme is establish health-aware behaviours in communities and this will be possible through training the keyspecialists in communities to implement preventive interventions through experience- and activity-based activities and learning.

Etiology of violent behaviour: psycho-social in depth analysis of a homicide-suicide case committed by an ex-military man, possibilities for prevention in military context and public attitudes towards military related risk factors

Grant holder: Prof Dr Airi Värnik
Duration: 2008-2009
Funded by: Estonian Ministry of Defence (Grant No 386/0807)
Description: The main aim of the study is to provide evidence-based proposals for prevention of violent (incl suicidal) behaviour in military context. More specifically the aims are: (1) To find out the etiology of violent behaviour by analysing in depth a homicide-suicide case committed by an ex-military man; (2) To find out risk and protective factors of violent behaviour in military context and to analyse possibilities for effective intervention and prevention; (3) To analyse the public attitudes atowards military related risk factors.

Suicide trend in Estonia during independence: What are the associations with socio-political, economic and public health indicators?

Grant holder and project manager: Kairi Kõlves
Duration: 2007-2009
Funded by: Estonian Science Foundation (Grant No 7132)
Description: The main aim of the project is to study suicide as a social phenomenon in the society with extremely rapid social changes, which could open new theoretical approaches, and give evidence-based material for prevention.

The role of alcohol in suicide process and in prevention of suicidal behaviour

Grant holder: Prof Dr Airi Värnik
Project manager: Kairi Kõlves
Duration: 2006-2008
Funded by: Estonian Science Foundation (Grant No 6799)

Description: The main objectives of the study are:

From the scientific approach to find out association between (1) alcohol consumption, (2) suicidal behaviour and (3) other suicide risk factors in Estonia at the individual level and (4) to find out burden of desease caused by suicide and its economical effects using internationally comparable methods, introduce results in Estonian and international conferences and to publish results in international scientific journals.
From the applicable point of view to give evidence based material for working out suicide prevention strategy and action plan on national level, for working out and developing preventive methods in the frames of the present study and as well in the frames of the national alcohol policy program and the national mental health promotion program. The aim is also to recommend guidelines for other countries with similar historical background.

Alcohol and drugs as social risk factors in society of transition in the prevention of premature death and suicidal behaviour

Grant holder: Prof Dr Airi Värnik
Project manager: Kairi Kõlves
Duration: 2003-2005
Funded by: Estonian Science Foundation (Grant No 5349)
Description: The main objectives of the study are:

From the scientific approach to find out correlation between (1) alcohol and drug use, (2) premature deaths and suicidal behaviour and (3) social processes in Estonia both on the macro level and on the individual level using internationally comparable methods and to publish results.
From the applicable point of view to give scientific basis for finding the possibilities to decrease premature deaths and suicidal behaviour by target groups. This could be the evidence-based procedure for working out and developing preventive methods in the frames of the present study and as well in the frames of the national alcohol policy program and the national mental health promotion program. The aim is also to recommend guidelines for other countries with similar historical background.

Research on suicide survivors

Project manager: Karmel Saveljev
Duration: Since 1999
Funded by: Ministry of Social Affairs, National Program in Public Health, IPM (Karolinska Institute) – concerning data collection; the implementation part is not funded

Description: As supplementary part of above mentioned psychological autopsy the material was collected and analysed concerning suicide survivors. Additionally a mourning group has been initiated in order to get evidence-based information about effective mourning work. The aim of the study is elaboration and implementation of rehabilitation methods.

Haapsalu project: Prevention of (pre)suicidal behaviours in schoolchildren

Study design and evaluation: Prof Dr Airi Värnik (ERSI)

Implementation: Tiina Kütt (Counselling Centre for Children and Adolescents in Läänemaa) and Ingrid Danilov (Lääne County Government, social and health care department)

Duration: 2004-2005; 1996-1997

Funded by: Estonian Health Insurance Fund, Council of Gambling Tax, Lääne County Government

Description: The aims of the project are:

To decrease depression and suicidal behaviours in children and adolescents (age 7-18)
To increase awareness on suicidal behaviours and possible prevention strategies among gatekeepers
To increased awareness on suicidal behaviours and possible prevention strategies among children and adolescents and their family members
To strengthen social network and counselling/rehabilitation services for children and adolescents
To improve mental heath and psycho-social coping in children and adolescents

Click here for the project description.

Estonian-Swedish Mental Health and Suicidology Institute

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