El Paso County Department of Health & EnvironmentInjury & Violence Prevention Program719-578-3210

Office: 573-7447HOTLINE: 596-LIFE

Essential Questions What are the warning signs of depression

and suicide?

How can I help?

Who else can help?

Faces of Suicide As you watch the pictures on the screen,

listen closely to the lyrics of the song “How Do You Get So Lonely.”

All of the pictures are of individuals who have completed suicide in the Colorado Springs area over the last several years.

Faces of Suicide

What did you notice?

True and False – Clicker Activity You will hear a series of statements

Decide whether the statement is true or false

Use the clicker to respond

National Youth Suicide Facts

Third leading cause of death for people ages 10-24

Gay and lesbian youth are 200% more likely to attempt

Alcohol is involved in up to 70% of suicides

A million youth suicide attempts occur each year

• Nationally, the youth suicide rate has tripled over the past 30 years

Youth Suicide in Colorado 2nd Leading Cause of Death for people

ages10-34 Females ages 15-24 have the highest rate

of suicide attempts 13.6% of high school students seriously

considered attempting suicide in the last 12 months (2005 YRBS)

Youth Suicide in El Paso County• Suicide is the SECONDSECOND

leading cause of death for people ages 10-24

There were 106 youth suicides from 2000-2006

In 2005 there were 21 teen suicides

Closer to Home

Film: Break the Silence

Film Discussion What were the common threads in the

three different stories?

What was missing?

The person committing suicide did so for relief from the pain. But, what is the aftermath?

Important Information to Know Risk Factors

Warning Signs

Critical Warning Signs

ACT- What you can and should do

Identifying Risk Factors Significant Loss

Death of close friend or family member Divorce or separation, end of a relationship Job loss

Family History of Mental Illness Change in Lifestyle/Finances Legal Trouble Physical, Mental, or Sexual Abuse Previous Attempt Self-Injury

A PREVIOUS SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS THE #1 RISK FACTOR FOR SUICIDE!

Self-Injury

Deliberate, non-lethal harm to self Cutting, burning, carving, hair-pulling External Expression of Internal Pain 5th leading reason for ER visits Not necessarily a suicide attempt, but 40%

of self-injurers have suicidal ideations or suicide attempts in their lives.

Additional Risk Factors

Social Stressors Social Isolation Bullying Peer Pressure Parent Pressure Gender Identity Issues

Access to Firearms Chronic Illness

A PREVIOUS SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS THE #1 RISK FACTOR FOR SUICIDE!

Warning Signs for Suicide

Warning signs of depression Noticeable CHANGES in Behavior/Habits

Uncharacteristic Risk-taking or Impulsiveness Withdraw from activities Alcohol or drug abuse Problems in school Self-Injury (Cutting, Burning, Carving)

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Loss of interest in things previously important

Sadness or constant irritability Changes in eating & sleeping habits Weight loss or gain Low energy or restlessness Trouble thinking or paying attention Crying a lot

Critical Warning Signs of Suicide

Terminal Statements Preparing for not being here

Spending Money with no concern Attending to wills, insurance etc. Giving Away Possessions Saying Good-bye

Obtaining Lethal Means Sudden Unexpected Happiness Obsession with Themes of Death

Film:

Never Enough

Never Enough

1. What were some of the risk factors in Billy’s life?

2. What were some of the warning signs that Billy was suicidal?

3. What was good/bad about how Billy’s mom responded?

4. What was good/bad about how Jake, his friend, responded?

ACT: Acknowledge, Care, Tell

Acknowledge that you are seeing signs of suicide and that it is SERIOUS.

Care: let that person know that you are there for them and that you are concerned that they need help that you cannot provide.

Tell a parent/professional, either with that person or on their behalf.

AAcknowledge Take warning signs seriously Let the person know that you are

concerned by the seriousness of the issue

Ask “The Question”…DIRECTLY

CCare

Listen to the person’s issues Do not be judgmental

TTell Find out if the person has a plan Do not keep it a secret Brainstorm alternatives for help Do not leave the person alone Tell a professional or someone who can

help

Don’t handle it alone -- get help now

Help is available in schools Help is also available in the community

Local Health and Mental Health Care Providers

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 596-LIFE Emergency Responders- 911 and Hospitals Faith Based Clergy

Coping Skills At your table, brainstorm different ways that

teens can cope in a healthy way.

Positive coping skills are an essential skill and tool to deal with life’s ups and down without becoming overwhelmed!

Scenario: Find the risk factors Find the warning signs Find the critical warning signs Come up with a plan of action