Suicide Awareness

--Raise your hand if you personally know someone who has tried to commit suicide or completed suicide? --What are some reason that our society is reluctant to openly discuss suicide?--Intervention services--Statistics --Myth and facts about suicide-what do you already know --Warning signs--Ways you can help someone you suspect is suicidal--Risk factors: what makes teens more vulnerable to suicide attempts?

Centers for Disease Control

Statistics --I want you to take a guess at how many young people in the United States ages 15-24 die annually.

--Approximately 5,000 young people die annually (14 a day) from suicide attempts. --Approximately 700 young people die annually (2 deaths a day) from suicide attempts in Canada. --Approximately 300 young people die annually (roughly 1 each day) from suicide attempts in Australia.

--In a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 (10%--15%) high school students reported having attempted suicide; nearly one in four (20%--25%) had seriously considered it.

Myth and Facts

Myth

Suicide usually occurs without warning.

People who talk about killing themselves rarely do it.

If you ask a person if they are suicidal, you will encourage them to do it.

Thoughts occur first… Most people who have

talked about committing suicide have talked about it before. Threats must always be taken seriously.

People who are suicidal will feel relieved that someone cares and those that are not suicidal will not be affected by the question.

If someone makes a suicidal comment when drunk or high you should take it seriously. People under the influence may be at greater risk

of acting on suicidal thoughts because their judgment is impaired and they are more impulsive.

All people who commit suicide are mentally ill. Many people who feel suicidal are not mentally ill.

They may be in a period on intense emotional crisis or in a deep depression.

Myth and Facts

All suicidal people want to die. A suicide attempt is often a cry for help. The

person may be asking for help to live. When a suicidal person seems calm and serene,

there is no longer any danger of suicide. A suicidal person who suddenly acts calm and

serene may have decided to commit suicide and therefore feels relief that a decision has been made.

Myths and Facts

Once a person is suicidal, he or she will always be suicidal. Many people consider suicide for only a brief period

in their lives. A person who attempts suicide and survives may never attempt it again if proper support and treatment are found.

The tendency toward suicide is inherited and passed from parent to child. Suicide is a behavior and cannot be inherited.

However, if a parent commits suicide, a child may see suicide as a way to solve problems and is statistically more likely to have a suicide attempt at some point in their life.

Myths and Facts

Withdrawal from friends and family Showing signs of sadness, irritability, and hopelessness Change in appetite, weight, behavior, and/or level of

activity or sleep Loss of energy Making negative comments about self Recurring suicidal thoughts or fantasies Sudden change from severe depression to being “at

peace” may indicate that they have decided to attempt suicide

Talking, writing, or hinting about suicide

How do we know if someone is contemplating suicide?

Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide. Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept

the feelings. Be non-judgmental. Don't debate whether suicide is right or

wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don't lecture on the value of life.

Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support. Don't dare him or her to do it. Don't act shocked. This will put distance between you. Don't be sworn to secrecy. Seek support. Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer

glib reassurance.

What should we do/say when someone says they are going to kill themselves?

Writing or verbally communicating: I am going to kill myself, I am going to take these pills, ect…

Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live. Talking about ways of dying or looking for a way to kill oneself;

especially when there’s an actual plan.

Get Help You should not try to help this person on your own. If they are

in immediate danger, call 911. If they don’t seem to be in immediate danger, please make sure that you tell someone who can help this person. No matter what, get this person the help they need. Let an adult know like a parent or your school counselor—any adult in your school can help. You can also call the crisis hotline for support.

When to get immediate help

Show You Care What might seem trivial to you can be overwhelming to the

person in pain. Ask the Question

If the person is saying: “I can’t go on,” ask, “are you having thoughts of suicide?” You are not putting ideas in their head. You are showing that you take them seriously and that it is ok to share their pain with you.

Get Help Stay do no leave the person alone unless there is risk of harm to

yourself. Just show patience and caring. Avoid arguments and advice giving

I am worried about you; about how you feel You mean a lot to me; I want to help I’m here, if you need someone to talk to

Easy steps to remember

Will you be more likely to hear or see in writing the signs we just went over?TumblrTwitterFacebookYouTube Text

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/online.aspx

Social Media

Risk Factors

Biological

Family history of alcohol/other drug abuse Genetics

Physical appearance Being a teenager or young

adult Disability or illness Sexual orientation Anxiety Depression

Sociological/Familial Witnessing alcohol/other

drug abuse Loneliness Exposure to suicidal

behaviors and completion Relationship problems Academic stress Divorce Pregnancy

Risk Factors

Sociological/Familial Death Physical, sexual, and/or

emotional abuse Access to firearm/s Chronic crises Divorce Pregnancy Bullied or disenfranchised (not

getting the same treatment or having fewer rights and considerations because one is not the “norm.”

Cognitive/Psychological I am too stupid I am not worthy Things would be better if I was

not around I am a burden to everyone I hate myself Emotional

Sadness Fear Hopelessness

Warning Signs

Existential

Life is useless Things will never get any

better What’s the point of trying The whole world is empty

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/online.aspx

1-800-273-TALK (8255) Teen Link 1-866-TEENLINK (833-6546) A confidential helpline evening from 6-10 www.carecrisischat.org

Resources

So what can I do to help?

Stay:Get Help: Contact a trusted adultDial 1-800-SUICIDE and put them on the phone.