h ow to s upport t hose at r isk f or s uicide july 2015
TRANSCRIPT
HOW TO SUPPORT THOSE AT RISK FOR SUICIDE
July 2015
SAMARITANS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Prevention: • Community Education & Outreach
Intervention:• 24-hour Befriending Service & Samariteens
Postvention:• Grief Support Services
SUICIDE FACTS & FIGURES
An average of 1 person every 16 minutes completes suicide – 41,000+ people/year nationwide (2013) which is 4.6 times higher than homicides
Suicides among males exceeded females by 3 to 1
90% have diagnosable psychiatric disorders – most often mood disorders
SUICIDE FACTS & FIGURES
Leading method used in the US - Firearms
Leading method used in MA – suffocation (hanging)
Approximately 624 suicides were reported in MA in 2012 (36 more than 2011)
2nd leading cause of death for ages 15-24 (behind unintentional injury)
10th leading cause of death overall for all ages
SUICIDE MYTHS
Talking about suicide will NOT cause someone to attempt suicide
People who kill themselves DO warn other people
Once a person is suicidal they’re NOT suicidal forever
Those who have attempted suicide and have not completed the suicide MAY try again
You DO NOT have to be a mental health professional to help someone who is suicidal
SUICIDAL FEELINGS
Suicidal feelings are complex – usually never one thing
Suicide is a desire to end the pain, not a desire to be “dead”
The closer to taking the final step, often unable to reach out and ask for help or to view other options
Those left behind are called “survivors”
RISK FACTORS
Family history of suicide Previous suicide attempts Physical Illness Poor coping skills Physical, sexual, domestic, or child abuse Relational, social, work or financial loss Impulsive and/or aggressive behavior Suffering from mental health disorders Alcohol/substance addiction
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
Preoccupation with suicide and/or death Direct verbal statements
“No one would miss me”“I wish I would never wake up”“I want to kill myself”
Feelings of sadness or hopelessness, often accompanied by anxiety
Declining school or work performance Loss of pleasure/interest in social activities Sleeping too little or too much Changes in weight or appetite
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
Not caring about appearance or cleanliness Sudden mood lift after a down period Taking unnecessary risks
Not taking prescribed medicationsDriving drunkHaving unprotected sexIncreased use of alcohol or drugs
Putting one’s affairs in order
WHAT ARE SOME EMOTIONS A SUICIDAL PERSON MAY FEEL?
Depressed Confused
Isolated
Worthless
Out of Control Overwhelmed
Helpless (immediate)
Hopeless (future)
PROTECTIVE/RESILIENCY FACTORS
Sense of humor Support networks Problem solving skills Coping Skills Ability to express emotions Ability to ask for help Faith/values
PROTECTIVE/RESILIENCY FACTORS
Remember, there is ALWAYS another solution, even if you can’t see it now.
Having thoughts of hurting yourself or others does not make you a bad person.
If your feelings are uncontrollable, tell yourself to wait 24 hours before you take action.
If you’re afraid you can’t control yourself, make sure you are never alone.
www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen_teenagers.htm
PROTECTIVE/RESILIENCY FACTORS
Ask for help if you’re stressed Try not to isolate yourself Remember that you are not alone Keep your body healthy Avoid alcohol and drugs
www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen_teenagers.htm
What you can do to feel better
HELPING A FRIEND
Listen
Ask
Get Help
LISTEN
DO: Show that you care Give all your attention Ask questions
DON’T: Talk about yourself Give advice Tell them what they are feeling is
unimportant
ASK
Ask questions Open-ended questions Steer “into the pain” Avoid interrogation Avoid “why” questions
Deal with the person, not the problem Acknowledge their pain by using their
words Speak to someone as an equal
ASK
Ask the question directly:
“Do you sometimes feel so bad that you think about suicide?”
Be ready to support them whether they answer yes or no
ASK
Don’t worry about finding the perfect words Sincerity Compassion
Verbal acknowledgements are useful Affirmations Don’t label the feelings for the person
Let the answers come from the person
GET HELP
Try to remain calm. If your emotions are escalated the situation will be harder to handle
It’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission
Do not try to handle the situation by yourself, it is ok to ask for help
RESOURCES
www.masspreventssuicide.org www.mass.gov – Injury prevention – suicide
prevention program www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org www.suicidology.org www.afsp.org www.samaritanshope.org www.mentalhealthscreening.org www.sprc.org
LAUREN GABLINSKEMANAGER, COMMUNITY EDUCATION & OUTREACH
BUSINESS LINE: 617-536-2460
Samaritans Statewide Hotline: 1-877-870-HOPE (4673)
Samaritans, Inc. Teen Line: 1-800-252-TEEN (8336)
Imhear.org