A systemic approach to self-harm in schools in Poland – a policy brief
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Self-harm among young people is a significant public health concern in Poland, while schools remain an underused setting for its early identification and prevention. Despite existing mental health initiatives and regulations, the Polish education system lacks uniform, systemic procedures for responding to self-harm, resulting in fragmented and unequal support across schools. This policy brief examines the scale and consequences of self-harm among young people, the current regulatory and institutional framework and evidence from school-based interventions in Poland and internationally. It argues that schools are particularly important for early intervention because most young people who self-harm remain in regular contact with school staff. The brief recommends a scalable, systemic intervention consisting of three complementary elements: (1) a short universal online training course for all school staff, (2) a uniform procedure for responding to self-harm and (3) a clearly defined pathway for referral to specialist support. The proposed training would strengthen staff competencies in recognising warning signs, conducting supportive conversations and directing students to appropriate services. Rather than introducing extensive new regulatory obligations, the proposal uses existing institutional mechanisms and recommends integration with the National Health Programme, professional development and staff onboarding. By establishing a common minimum standard of response, while accounting for institutional and resource constraints, the proposed approach offers a feasible first step towards a broader whole-school model of mental health support and self-harm prevention in Poland.
Authors: Lea Satala, Daria Biechowska
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214547074