From April 13 to 17, 2026, students from the Faculties of Pedagogy and Healthcare of Vilniaus kolegija, together with the VIKO lecturer Aušra Simoniukštytė and partners from other universities, participated in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “13 Reasons Why: Student Symposium on Suicide.” The BIP was organized by the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences in Dornbirn, which is recognized as one of the best universities in Austria. In addition to VIKO, students and lecturers from the Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Germany), Howest University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), the Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (Portugal) and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences attended the BIP.
During the BIP week, students were introduced to psychological, philosophical, sociological theories of the causes of suicide, critical risk factors for suicide, inter-institutional and cross-sectoral cooperation in implementing suicide prevention in various countries, and methods of preventive work.
In the workshops, students discussed why it is difficult to talk to a client about suicide or suicidal intentions, and what knowledge and skills are lacking to respond sensitively and in a timely manner to prevent a tragedy. Furthermore, as always happens during Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programs, students took the opportunity to explore the differences in the organization of social work and nursing across various European countries, share their study experiences, and ultimately make friends and spend their free time together in the city of Dornbirn, nestled in a beautiful Alpine valley.
