{"id":584,"date":"2024-04-01T19:56:43","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T19:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/?page_id=584"},"modified":"2026-09-05T17:54:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T17:54:57","slug":"riskikaitumine","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/riskikaitumine\/","title":{"rendered":"What is risk behaviour?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.rk-toc{background:#f6f2ea;border-radius:16px;padding:22px 24px;margin:24px 0 40px}\n.rk-toc .lbl{font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.07em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8a8474;margin-bottom:12px}\n.rk-toc ol{margin:0;padding:0 0 0 20px}\n.rk-toc li{margin-bottom:7px}\n.rk-toc a{font-size:14.5px;font-weight:600;color:#26241e;text-decoration:none}\n.rk-toc a:hover{color:#B5710A;text-decoration:underline}\n.rk-stats{display:flex;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 40px}\n.rk-stat{flex:1;min-width:220px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:16px;padding:24px 22px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)}\n.rk-stat .num{font-size:34px;font-weight:700;color:#B5710A;line-height:1;margin-bottom:8px}\n.rk-stat .desc{font-size:14px;color:#4a4638;line-height:1.5}\n.rk-stat .src{font-size:11.5px;color:#8a8474;margin-top:10px;padding-top:10px;border-top:1px dashed #e2ddd0}\n.rk-stat .src a{color:#8a8474}\n.rk-quote{display:flex;gap:20px;align-items:center;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:18px;padding:26px;margin:28px 0 40px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)}\n.rk-quote img{width:76px;height:76px;border-radius:50%;object-fit:cover;flex:none;margin:0}\n.rk-quote p{font-size:17px;font-weight:500;color:#26241e;line-height:1.45;margin:0 0 8px;font-style:italic}\n.rk-quote cite{font-style:normal;font-size:13px;color:#8a8474}\n.rk-depth{display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 16px}\n.rk-depth div{flex:1;min-width:150px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:14px;padding:18px 16px}\n.rk-depth .ic{font-size:20px;margin-bottom:8px}\n.rk-depth h4{font-size:14.5px;margin:0 0 6px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-depth p{font-size:12.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0;line-height:1.5}\n.rk-link-card{background:#fff6e8;border-radius:16px;padding:22px 24px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 0 36px}\n.rk-link-card h4{font-size:15.5px;margin:0 0 4px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-link-card p{font-size:13.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0}\n.rk-link-card a{flex:none;background:#B5710A;color:#fff;font-size:13.5px;font-weight:600;padding:10px 18px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap}\n.rk-principle{background:#FDEBCB;border-radius:10px;padding:14px 16px;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;color:#26241e;margin:14px 0 18px}\n.rk-faq{margin-top:8px}\n.rk-faq .wp-block-aioseo-faq{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2ddd0;border-radius:14px;padding:20px 22px;margin:0 0 12px;display:block}\n.rk-faq .aioseo-faq-block-question{font-size:16px;margin:0 0 8px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-faq .aioseo-faq-block-question::before{content:\"?\";color:#B5710A;margin-right:8px;font-weight:700}\n.rk-faq .aioseo-faq-block-answer p{font-size:14.5px;margin:0;color:#4a4638;line-height:1.6}\n.rk-next{background:#fff6e8;border-radius:20px;padding:38px 32px;margin:32px 0 8px;text-align:center}\n.rk-next h2{font-size:22px;margin:0 0 8px;color:#26241e}\n.rk-next>p{font-size:14.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0 0 24px}\n.rk-next-cards{display:flex;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center}\n.rk-next-cards a{flex:1;min-width:200px;max-width:250px;background:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:24px 20px;text-decoration:none;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)}\n.rk-next-cards .ic{width:44px;height:44px;border-radius:50%;background:#FDEBCB;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;margin:0 auto 12px;font-size:19px}\n.rk-next-cards h4{font-size:15px;color:#26241e;margin:0 0 5px}\n.rk-next-cards p{font-size:12.5px;color:#8a8474;margin:0}\n@media (max-width:600px){.rk-quote{flex-direction:column;text-align:center}}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#B5710A;margin:0 0 22px\">Explanation \u00b7 Risk behaviour<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This overview explains, <strong>what risk behaviour means in adolescence<\/strong>, in other words, when it is a normal stage of development and when it becomes a cause for concern. Risk, risks or risk behaviour are usually associated with negative thoughts and feelings. This does not always have to be the case, as risk behaviour can also be seen as a necessary stage of adolescent development. Teenagers\u2019 interest in new experiences, including taking various risks, is a natural and important developmental task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:14px;color:#8a8474\">Looking for the general meaning of the term, or for risk behaviour in adults? This page focuses specifically on teenagers\u2019 behaviour and how parents and professionals can respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-toc\">\n<div class=\"lbl\">Table of contents<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#millal\">When does risk behaviour become dangerous?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#tunnused\">Signs of high-risk behaviour<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#miks\">Why risk behaviour occurs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#ennetus\">How to prevent escalation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#kkk\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#abi\">Need help?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-stats\">\n<div class=\"rk-stat\">\n<div class=\"num\">566<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">A young person required treatment for intentional self-harm in 2024.<\/div>\n<div class=\"src\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/et.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enesevigastamine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wikipedia, \u201cSelf-harm\u201d<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rk-stat\">\n<div class=\"num\">~4000<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">The crime was committed by young people in Estonia in 2024.<\/div>\n<div class=\"src\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justdigi.ee\/media\/4951\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Estonian National Defense Academy Criminal Policy Research Center, Brief Analysis No. 1\/2024<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"millal\">When does risk behaviour become dangerous?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By testing boundaries and taking risks, teenagers become independent, and this is how a young person grows and develops. It can be a difficult time for the adults close to them, but it is important to remember that it is a sign of healthy development: teenagers are meant to seek independence and freedom. At the same time, it matters that risk-taking stays socially acceptable and does not become serious, where the outcomes are uncertain or the consequences increasingly severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Risk-taking behaviour changes from a socially acceptable normal developmental stage to a worrying risk-taking behaviour when teenagers begin to take risks that <strong>endanger their safety and\/or the safety of others, and these risks may have long-term lasting consequences.<\/strong> In that case, it is high-risk behaviour. High-risk behaviour can harm a young person\u2019s well-being, health and development, as well as the well-being and health of others. It affects the young person\u2019s physical and mental health, the development of social skills and their future prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tunnused\">Examples of high-risk behaviour include:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Constant use of substances of pleasure (smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use)<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Violent behaviour towards other people (both mental and physical violence)<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Breaking property<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Car theft<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Self-harm (e.g., constant cutting, scratching, burning)<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Suicide attempts<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Bullying<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Constant neglect of school obligations<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Constant overnight stays away from home<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Sexual risk behaviour (unsafe sex, sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-quote\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/436226640_2495988303920202_4491462863490071306_n.jpg\" alt=\"Enelis Linnas\">\n<blockquote style=\"margin:0;border:none;padding:0\">\n<p>\u201cI truly believe that every young person can be helped if we truly listen to them, identify their needs, address the root causes of their behaviour, offer support, and at the same time support the adults around them.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Enelis Linnas, founder and board member of Sa Suudad<\/cite>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"miks\">Why risk behaviour occurs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Risk behaviour rarely has a single cause. It is usually the result of a combination of factors, at multiple levels at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-depth\">\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83e\uddcd<\/div><h4>Individual<\/h4><p>Traumatic experiences, special needs, low self-esteem<\/p><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83d\udc6a<\/div><h4>Family<\/h4><p>Family relationships, supervision, parenting style<\/p><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udfeb<\/div><h4>School<\/h4><p>Bullying, teacher relationships, curriculum suitability<\/p><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"ic\">\ud83e\udd1d<\/div><h4>Peers<\/h4><p>The spirit of the Kamba, the search for recognition, the environment<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rk-link-card\">\n<div><h4>A complete overview of all four levels<\/h4><p>Along with specific steps to take at each level.<\/p><\/div>\n<a href=\"\/en\/miks\/\">Read in depth \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ennetus\">Preventing risk behaviour from escalating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Low self-esteem can lead to riskier behaviour, so it's important to work on developing a child's positive self-esteem from an early age. This will help them build relationships and make good decisions later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to talk about making safe choices when adults are not present and to give clear signals that it is safe to let them know when they need help and that they will not be punished for seeking help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-principle\">\u201cI ask that you make safe choices and take care of yourself. However, if you should find yourself in a situation where you or your friends are in an unsafe situation, I want you to reach out to me for help. I promise that I will not make you regret seeking my help.\u201d<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Young people do not always make the best decisions when they are with friends, so it helps to plan ahead with them how they will act if a risky situation comes up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-principle\">\u201cThe question is not whether you will get caught or not \u2013 most likely not \u2013 the main question is whether you can get hurt. It is your job to take good care of yourself and if you don\u2019t, it is my job to step in to help you do so.\u201d<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you talk with a young person about taking risks, avoid threatening punishment. It shifts their attention to how not to get caught, rather than to whether to take the risk at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-link-card\">\n<div><h4>Practical communication principles for working with young people<\/h4><p>Specific keywords for establishing a trusted contact.<\/p><\/div>\n<a href=\"\/en\/mida-teha\/\">Read practical advice \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"kkk\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-faq\">\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">Is my child simply going through adolescence, or is this risk behaviour I should worry about?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seeking new experiences and testing boundaries is a normal part of adolescence. Risk-taking behaviour becomes a concern when it endangers the safety of the young person or others and has long-term lasting consequences, such as persistent substance use, self-harm, or persistent truancy, rather than an isolated experiment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">How to talk to a young person about risks without punishing them?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid threatening punishment if they get caught, as it shifts the focus to not getting caught rather than to staying safe. Make it clear that what matters is their well-being, for example: \u201cIt\u2019s not about whether you get caught, it\u2019s about whether you could get hurt.\u201d Plan together how they will handle risky situations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">What to do if a young person is already behaving at high risk?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, look for the causes of the behaviour, not just the symptoms. Establish a trusting relationship, avoid blaming, and consistently stay by the young person's side, regardless of how they behave. If necessary, contact a specialist or an experienced confidant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">Does risk behaviour mean I have done something wrong as a parent?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Risk behaviour usually has several interacting causes at the individual, family, school and peer level, rather than one person to blame. What matters most is what happens next: whether the young person receives consistent support and understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-next\" id=\"abi\">\n<h2>Need help or want to know more?<\/h2>\n<p>Depending on whether you are looking for urgent help, support for a young person, or training for your team.<\/p>\n<div class=\"rk-next-cards\">\n<a href=\"\/en\/vajan-abi\/\"><div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udd98<\/div><h4>I need help.<\/h4><p>Quick contacts and help options<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"\/en\/kup\/\"><div class=\"ic\">\ud83e\udd1d<\/div><h4>KUP<\/h4><p>Peer Mentor Programme<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"\/en\/koolitused\/\"><div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udf93<\/div><h4>Trainings<\/h4><p>For professionals and parents<\/p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Selgitus \u00b7 Riskik\u00e4itumine See \u00fclevaade selgitab, mida t\u00e4hendab riskik\u00e4itumine noorukieas, ehk millal on tegu tavap\u00e4rase arenguetapiga ja millal muutub see murettekitavaks. Risk, riskid v\u00f5i riskik\u00e4itumine on midagi, mis tavaliselt seondub negatiivsete m\u00f5tete ja tunnetega. See aga ei tohiks alati olla nii, sest riskik\u00e4itumist v\u00f5ib n\u00e4ha ka noorukiea vajaliku arenguetapina. Teismeliste huvi uute kogemuste vastu, sh&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/riskikaitumine\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More \u00bb<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What is risk behaviour?<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-584","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=584"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4366,"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/584\/revisions\/4366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasuudad.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}