Suicide Suicide PreventionPrevention

Lesson 2Lesson 2

Suicide Risk FactorsSuicide Risk FactorsAlienation-the feeling of being isolated and Alienation-the feeling of being isolated and

separated from everyone else.separated from everyone else.

Suicide-the act of intentionally taking ones Suicide-the act of intentionally taking ones life.life.

More than 90% of people who More than 90% of people who kill themselves, suffered kill themselves, suffered from depression or another from depression or another mental disorder.mental disorder.

Risk Factors………….Risk Factors………….

Alcohol abuseAlcohol abuse

Drug abuseDrug abuse

History of physical or sexual abuseHistory of physical or sexual abuse

Previous family history of SuicidePrevious family history of Suicide

or mental/emotional disorders.or mental/emotional disorders.

Verbal Warning signsVerbal Warning signs

Direct StatementsDirect Statements

““I want to die”I want to die”

““I don’t want to I don’t want to live any more”live any more”

““I wish I were deadI wish I were dead

Indirect Statements•“ I won’t have to put up with this much longer”

•“I just want to go to sleep and never wake up”

•“Nothing Matters”

•“What’s the use”

•“Soon the pain will be all over”

•Poem writing, Song Lyrics or diary entries that deal with death

Non-Verbal Behavioral SignsNon-Verbal Behavioral Signs

1.1. Obsessed with death.Obsessed with death.

2.2. Loss of Friends-withdrawals from Loss of Friends-withdrawals from them.them.

3.3. Personality changes are major.Personality changes are major.

4.4. Gives away personal things.Gives away personal things.

5.5. Complains of physical problems.Complains of physical problems.

6.6. School work drops off.School work drops off.

Ideas to prevent SuicideIdeas to prevent Suicide

If someone is talking about Suicide-If someone is talking about Suicide-Take them seriously!!Take them seriously!!

Seek intervention as soon as possibleSeek intervention as soon as possible

Tell someone!! Tell someone!! – Preferably an adult or Preferably an adult or

someone of authoritysomeone of authority

Helping others with M/E issuesHelping others with M/E issuesStart a meaningful conversation:Start a meaningful conversation:

Showing interest and compassion for a person Showing interest and compassion for a person can go a long ways.can go a long ways.Listen, be patient and understanding.Listen, be patient and understanding.

Show support & ask questionsShow support & ask questionsLet them know that most problems can be Let them know that most problems can be solved.solved.Emphasize that suicide is NOT the answer.Emphasize that suicide is NOT the answer.

Get them to seek help!Get them to seek help!Encourage them to talk to their parents, Encourage them to talk to their parents, pastor, counselor, or other trusted adult.pastor, counselor, or other trusted adult.

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsA person suffering from depression A person suffering from depression feels both helpless and hopeless. feels both helpless and hopeless. How do these feelings make it hard How do these feelings make it hard for depressed person to get help? for depressed person to get help? How do they overcome these How do they overcome these feelings?feelings?

List the different resources you have List the different resources you have to get help if a friend or family to get help if a friend or family member was thinking of suicide. Are member was thinking of suicide. Are there some in this building? Listthere some in this building? List