The “Change of Course” project funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs goes online
27.11.2023 15:36
Course Change offers materials such as animated films, listening instructions, exercises and comics and numerous other assistance for advice, support and self-help as part of crisis intervention in the care of children and young people in Bavaria after highly stressful experiences (particularly after suicide/attempts and homicide /-attempt in personal environment).
With “Change of Course”, the AETAS Children's Foundation's Children's Crisis Intervention has succeeded in developing clear support materials for advising and supporting children and young people after highly stressful experiences. Based on results from research and interviews with those affected and professionals, content was created that can be adapted to individual needs and used outside of acute crisis intervention for support, advice or self-help. The AETAS Children's Foundation thus offers concrete support materials that help meet the need for care for children and young people in Bavaria.
The Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs has been supporting the AETAS Children's Foundation pilot project since December 1, 2019. Bavaria's Family Minister Ulrike Scharf emphasizes: “Protecting our children must come first. For me, child protection is my top priority! As a mother and grandmother, I can say from the bottom of my heart: children are the most valuable thing we have. They must be able to grow up without worries. The AETAS Children's Foundation's offerings can make a decisive contribution to helping children before they become permanently ill. Sometimes all it takes is a small change of course to make big changes!”
Under the title “Change of Course”, the AETAS Children’s Foundation project team developed a concept and various materials for early support. The focus is on children who are affected by lethal violence (attempted/completed suicide, attempted or completed homicide) in their immediate vicinity. With animated films, listening instructions, exercises and comics as well as various other assistance and recommendations for action that are suitable for advice and support as part of crisis intervention, the “Change of Course” project aims to offer low-threshold support options after the tragic emergency events described.
Almost 10,000 people die by suicide in Germany every year. Estimates suggest that around ten to forty times as many suicide attempts occur. This form of tragic violence, which is directed against oneself, has a wide range of effects on the children and caregivers affected.
The focus of the “Change of Course” project is, on the one hand, directly on the affected family systems and, on the other hand, on specialists who support affected children, young people and their caregivers as part of their work. In order to best support both target groups, extensive research was initially carried out into care options in Bavaria and the needs of the skilled workers providing care. Those affected were also asked what support had been helpful for them in retrospect and what challenges they had faced. On the basis of this feedback, various support materials were developed and recommendations were made for regional further development opportunities for care in Bavaria.
“It is particularly important to us not to leave children and families alone after these special blows of fate, but to support them with concrete action. If we understand crises as turning points, they always contain both. The possibility of integrating what you have experienced into your life story, but also the danger of having to bear too much weight and even becoming ill. We see it as our task to help children and their families set this course.” Quote Tita Kern, technical manager
If there is an acute need for help, all materials are available immediately HERE to find.