TALK: Suicide prevention and early detection in adolescents

with Alix Puhl & Puhl Foundation

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children and adolescents after accidents. Despite this, suicide and suicidality are not an issue or even taboo in most schools; the suicide or suicidality of a member of the school community therefore catches many schools unprepared. Alix Puhl describes her experiences as a mother, parent advisor and committed education lobbyist and gives suggestions on how parents, teachers, students and schools can become active in suicide prevention.

Alix Puhl is a mother of 4 children. Her 2nd son Emil took his own life in June 2020. Emil suffered from the effects of Asperger's syndrome and a depression that was recently severely aggravated by this, which was diagnosed two months before his death. Among other things, she was on the board of the Frankfurt City Parents' Advisory Council for 6 years and received the Citizen's Medal of the City of Frankfurt in 2019 for her commitment.