Diana van Bergen

Prof. Dr. Diana van Bergen is a Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, specifically within the Education in Culture department. Her work focuses on suicide prevention, mental health among LGBTQ+ youth, ethnic identity in foster care, and religious diversity in family contexts. She leads projects like 'Recovery and Resiliency among Youth with Suicidal Thoughts' and has contributed to over 70 peer-reviewed articles. Her research integrates qualitative and quantitative methods, addressing topics such as minority stress, youth mental health interventions, and transcultural foster care challenges. Prof. van Bergen collaborates with healthcare professionals and policymakers to develop suicide prevention strategies and improve support for vulnerable youth populations.

• Education: Doctorate in Social Sciences (details unspecified).

Her research interests emphasize understanding and mitigating suicide risk among adolescents, particularly those from minority backgrounds. She explores how factors like sexual orientation, gender identity, and cultural/religious conflicts impact mental health. Recent articles highlight psychosocial autopsy studies on suicide victims, modified Delphi approaches in mental healthcare, and the role of social media in adolescent suicide.

Prof. van Bergen has received grants including the 2024 'Recovery of Suicidal Thoughts among Young People' award and the 2023 project on gender minority youth mental health. She advises on suicide prevention policies and collaborates internationally on LGBTQ+ health initiatives. Her lab focuses on translational research bridging academic findings with clinical and societal applications.