2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Four River (All Ages)

Let’s Talk…About the Role of SchoolsIn Preventing Suicide Among Students

Introductions

Lisa HuddlestonPrincipalLCMSLisa.huddleston@livingston.kyschools.us270-839-1827 or 270-988-3263

What’s In It For Me?

• Targets:• I can identify risk factors.

• I can identify warning signs.

• I can identify, prioritize, & implement protective factors.

• I can refer and follow up with students who exhibit concerning behaviors.

• I can refer to resources on the web and will complete self-study.

Agenda

• Suicide Statistics• Current Laws Affecting Kentucky Schools• Identifying at Risk Students• Early Identification, Referral, & Follow-Up• Putting it all together• Closure

Four Rivers Slides

2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Four River (All Ages)

2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Four River (All Ages)

All Ages <20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-64 65+

Four Rivers 159 9 13 8 11 29 55 34

Ballard 40 1 1 3 5 12 26 21

Calloway 22 1 2 3 1 3 9 5

Carlisle 12 0 0 1 2 1 9 6

Fulton 7 0 0 0 0 1 4 4

Graves 33 2 2 0 2 6 15 6

Hickman 5 0 0 1 1 0 2 2

McCracken 54 5 4 4 4 11 15 12

Marshall 44 0 5 1 3 14 16 12

Pennyrile Slides

Livingston is part of Pennyroyal Stats

2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Pennyroyal (All Ages)

2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Pennyroyal (All Ages)

All Ages

<20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-44 45-64 65+

Pennyroyal 161 7 14 10 11 37 62 20

Caldwell 8 0 0 1 1 1 5 0Christian 54 4 9 6 2 15 13 5

Crittenden 7 0 1 0 1 2 3 0Hopkins 37 1 2 1 2 10 17 4

Livingston 7 0 1 1 0 2 2 1Lyon 7 0 0 0 0 1 5 1

Muhlenberg 26 2 1 0 4 4 8 7

Todd 7 0 0 0 0 0 5 2

Trigg 8 0 0 1 1 2 4 0

Violent Deaths Worldwide

Suicide

 

Armed Conflict

 

Homicide

 

 ?

Violent Deaths Worldwide

There were 38,364 deaths by suicide in the

year 2010…

… That’s 105.1 suicides each day …

Trends among High School students by gender in the

United States from 1991–2009

Suicide Rates Among Persons Ages 10 Years and Older, by Gender, United States, 1991–2010

In Kentucky…• Kentucky has the 21st Highest Suicide completion rate

in the nation.

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10-14 year olds.

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-34 year olds.

• Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for 35-54 year olds.

2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Kentucky (All Ages)

2007-2011 Suicide Completions in Kentucky (Ages <20)

2010 Suicide Completions in YOUR REGION (All Ages)

Refer to Supplemental Slides

2010 Suicide Completions in YOUR REGION (All Ages)

Refer to Supplemental Slides

School Laws in the US

• Alaska, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee are the only four states who mandate annual 2-hour suicide prevention training for school personnel.

• Alaska requires 2 hours of training each year for teachers, administrators, counselors, and specialists who provide services to students in grades 7-12. 

• Kentucky requires 2 hours of “self-study review of suicide prevention materials” each year for high school and middle school principals, guidance counselors, and teachers. 

• Louisiana requires 2 hours of in-service training each year for teachers, school counselors, principals, and other administrators “for whom such training is deemed beneficial”.

• Tennessee requires 2 hours of in-service training each year for teachers and principals.

Senate Bill 65Suicide Prevention Education for Middle and High School Staff Signed by Governor April 13, 2010

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/10RS/SB65.htm

Amends KRS 158.070 to require all high school and middle school principals, guidance counselors and teachers to complete a minimum of two hours of self-study review of suicide prevention materials each school year. Also amends KRS 161.011 to permit suicide prevention training for classified employees.

House Bill 51Suicide Prevention Information for Middle and High School Students. Signed by Governor March 4, 2010

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/10RS/HB51.htm

Amends KRS 156.095 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to post suicide prevention awareness and training information on its Web page by Aug. 1, 2010;

Requires every public middle and high school administrator to disseminate suicide prevention awareness information to all middle and high school students by Sept. 1, 2010, and Sept. 1 of each year thereafter.

Identifying At Risk

Students

Identifying At Risk Students

Risk Factors

Warning Signs

Protective Factors

Risk FactorsPersonal or environmental characteristics that are associated with suicide. People affected by one or more of these risk factors have a greater probability of suicidal behavior.

Examples: Risky Behaviors, History of depression, low self-esteem

Risk Factors• Behavioral Health Issues

• Depressive disorders• Substance abuse/dependence• Conduct/disruptive behavior disorders• Anxiety, Personality, and other disorders• Self Injury (even without intent to die)• Previous suicide attempts• Genetic/biological vulnerabilities.• Multiple Risk Factors/ Multiple Behavioral Health

Disorders

Risk Factors• Personal Characteristics

• Hopelessness• Low Self Esteem• Loneliness• Social alienation and isolation, lack of belonging• Low stress and frustration tolerance• Impulsivity• Risk taking, recklessness• Poor problem-solving or coping skills• Perception of self as very under or over weight• Capacity to self-injure• Perception of being a burden (to family/friends)

Risk Factors• Adverse/Stressful Life Circumstances

• Interpersonal difficulties or losses (e.g., breakups, deaths)

• Disciplinary or legal problems• Bullying, either as victim or perpetrator• School or work problems (actual or perceived)• Attendance Problems• Physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse• Chronic physical illness or disability• Exposure to suicide of peer

Risk Factors

• Risky Behaviors• Alcohol or drug use• Delinquency• Aggressive or violent behavior• Risky sexual behavior

Risk Factors• Environmental Factors

• Negative social/emotional environment• Lack of acceptance of differences• Expression and acts of hostility• Lack of respect and fair treatment• Lack of feeling of safety and security• Weapons on campus• Limited access to mental health care• Access to lethal means, particularly in the home• Exposure to other suicides (contagion)• Exposure to discrimination based on sexual orientation,

race/ethnicity, physical characteristics, etc…

Protective FactorsPersonal or environmental characteristics that reduce the probability of suicide. Can buffer the effects of risk factors (boost resiliance).

Examples: Strong problem-solving skills, spiritual faith, strong support system

Protective Factors• Individual Characteristics & Behaviors

• Psychological/emotional well-being, positive mood• Emotional intelligence• Adaptable temperament• Internal locus of control• Strong problem-solving skills• Coping skills• Self-esteem• Frequent, vigorous physical activity or participation in sports• Spiritual faith / regular church attendance• Resilience: ongoing sense of hope in the face of adversity• Frustration tolerance and emotional regulation

Protective Factors

• Family and Other Social Support• Family support and strong connectedness to family• Parental Involvement• Close friends or family members, caring adult, social

support• Parents model pro-social norms

Protective Factors• School

• Positive school experiences• Part of a close school community• Safe environment at school (especially for lesbian,

gay bisexual, and transgender youth)• LBGTQI: Lesbian, bisexual, gay, trans-gendered, questioning, and inter-

sexed

• Adequate or better academic achievement• Sense of connectedness to the school• Respect for the cultures of all children.

Protective Factors

• Mental Health and Healthcare Providers / Caregivers• Access to effective care for mental, physical, and

substance abuse disorders• Easy access to care and support through ongoing

medical and mental health relationshiops

Protective Factors

• Access to Means• Restricted access to firearms: guns locked or

unloaded, ammunition stored or locked.• Safety barriers for bridges, buildings, and other

jumping sites.• Restricted access to medications (otc & prescription)• Restricted access to alcohol

Warning SignsIndications that someone may be in danger of suicide, either immediately or in the future.

Examples: Threats of self harm, withdrawal, diminished sense of purpose

Warning Signs• Someone threatens to hurt or kill themselves• Someone looking for ways to kill themselves, seeking access to

pills, weapons, or other means.• Someone talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when

this is out of the ordinary for the person.• Hopelessness• Rage, anger, seeking revenge• Recklessness, acting without thinking• Expressions of feeling trapped• Increased drug/alcohol use• Withdrawal from friends, family, society: ISOLATION• Anxiety, agitation, inability to sleep, constant sleep• Expresses no reason for living, no sense of purpose in life

Early Identification, Referral, and Follow Up

(EIRF)

Group Exercise - BOGGLE

Risk Factors

Warning Signs

Protective Factors

Closure

Fist-to-Five

• Targets:• I can identify risk factors.

• I can identify warning signs.

• I can identify, prioritize, & implement protective factors.

• I can refer and follow up with students who exhibit concerning behaviors.

• I can refer to resources on the web and will complete self-study.