Suicide Prevention

Miss Markowski

Teens & Suicide: How Much Do You Know?Teens & Suicide: How Much Do You Know?

• Which teens are most at risk? What circumstances or risk factors make suicide attempts more likely?

– What % of teens with depression or other mental illness that attempt suicide?

• What are some warning signs that someone is thinking about suicide (suicide ideation)

– What % of teens give clear warning signs that they are thinking about suicide?

• What should you do if you or someone you know is seriously considering suicide?

Suicide Facts

• Maine has highest rate of attempts in New England• Last 5 years in Maine, ~1,200 people died “officially” by

suicide– 101 were youth age 10-24 (5 age 10-14, 43 age 15-19 and 53 age

20-24)

• Suicide is the 22ndnd leading cause of death for youth 15-24 in Maine (9x more suicide deaths than homicide)

• There are gender differences in suicide!There are gender differences in suicide!– Which gender is more likely to attempt? _______Which gender is more likely to attempt? _______

– Which gender is more likely to die? _________Which gender is more likely to die? _________

Suicide Facts continued…

• 4 out of 5 suicides (that result in death) are males dying• How can women attempt more but men are dying more?

– Answer: Men tend to choose more lethal meansAnswer: Men tend to choose more lethal means

• So, do most suicide attempts result in death? – NO (thankfully!)NO (thankfully!)– For each death, there are roughly 75 non-deaths– most suicide attempts result in self-inflicted injuries,– Females age 15-19 had highest rate of self-inflicted injuries

across all ages

What are some Risk Factors Risk Factors of suicide?Circumstances that can make suicide more likely…these are NOT causes!!

• Social isolation, bullying or loneliness• Difficulties dealing with sexuality • Loss of loved one through break up, divorce or death• Family problems or Victims of violence (physical/mental/sexual)• Alcohol & drug abuse• Difficulty dealing with change (moving, illness, going to college, etc)

• Chronic stress• Low self-esteem & Mental illness (anxiety, depression, etc)

• Feelings of hopelessness, humiliation, or overwhelming guilt about one’s actions

Activity

• Identify reasons why some people choose to Live, despite having dealt with several of these same tough issues?

Warning Signs Warning Signs of Suicide(Behaviors we can see that give us an idea that suicide is possible)

• I ideas/threats about suicide are communicated directly

• S substance abuse/excessive or increased

• P Purposelessness/giving up/no reason for living/don’t care

• A Anxiety/agitation/insomnia

• T Trapped/no way out of tough situation

• H Hopeless/nothing will ever change or get better

• W withdrawing from friends/family/society

• A anger (uncontrolled)/rage/seeking revenge

• R recklessness/risky/don’t care anymore behaviors

• M mood changes (guilt/grieft, wish I was never born or dead)

Warning Signs that Threat may Warning Signs that Threat may be Imminent (happening soon) if:be Imminent (happening soon) if:

Warning Signs

• Sudden happiness after a long time of depression• Giving away prized possessions

• Saying “goodbye” or “I love you” or resolving long-standing issues out of the blue

Most Common Reason People Attempt Suicide (no matter the warning signs or risk factors)

• Feeling that there is Feeling that there is no way outno way out• An escape from life’s tough situations

• If YOU or someone you know FEELS this way….PLEASE reach out!

Remember this:

• Suicide is NOTNOT something that happens quickly– 1st, people face a difficult situation where they are

unable to cope and lose hope that things will get better

• THERE IS TIME TO Help!!THERE IS TIME TO Help!!• Talking about suicide will NOT cause itTalking about suicide will NOT cause it• ANYONE can learn to help!ANYONE can learn to help!• We MUST pay attention EVERY TIME!We MUST pay attention EVERY TIME!• Suicide CAN be PREVENTED!Suicide CAN be PREVENTED!

1. ShareShare your concern• I care/am concerned/worried about you when you say/do/insert whatever

reason/observation you see in them…

2. ASKASK the Question: “Are you considering suicide/killing yourself?”

• If it seems possible, then ASKASK for the Plan – Is there plan? Is it lethal? Specific? Possible?

3. STAYSTAY with them or GET TO THEMGET TO THEM• Crisis moment lasts between a few minutes to a few hours

4. TELLTELL an adult that WILL help **MOST IMPORTANT STEP*MOST IMPORTANT STEP*

• Get help. You alone cannot solve their problem• Tell Guidance/Social work here at school (Mandatory reporters!)Tell Guidance/Social work here at school (Mandatory reporters!)• 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (National Suicide Prevention)1-800-273-TALK (8255) (National Suicide Prevention)• Call is 774-HELP (4357) or 1-888-568-1112 (Maine crisis line)• Call 911 IF there’s immediate danger

• Do NOT be sworn to secrecy

• Do NOT act shocked about what they are telling you (stay calm)

• Do NOT leave them alone if the risk is immediate

• Do NOT take time to debate whether suicide is right or wrong (This is a reason why people sometimes don’t talk about it – fear

of being judged and not getting the help they need!)

Why people hesitate to ask for help Why people hesitate to ask for help (even though it is the most important factor in getting better):(even though it is the most important factor in getting better):

• Stigma/Embarrassed to admit they need help (independent)

• Feels alone/no one will understand

• Afraid to upset/anger others

• Don’t know who to tell or who can help or how

• Don’t know what to expect (hospitalization?)

• Struggling with depression

• Sought help before but overused the “help” or it went poorly

Why people hesitate to Help/InterveneWhy people hesitate to Help/Intervene

• Not sure how seriously they are about suicide

• Worry about saying/doing the “right” thing

• Afraid to “put the idea” in their heads

• Feel someone else is probably helping them (bystander effect)

What can YOU do to AVOID depression and suicide?

• 1. Allow yourself to feel your feelings in healthy waysfeel your feelings in healthy ways• 2. Practice healthy Stress Management SkillsStress Management Skills• 3. AskAsk for professional for professional help• 4. Healthy Decision Making SkillsHealthy Decision Making Skills

– Avoid alcohol, drugs and substances to “numb out” for awhile

• 5. Enact Positive self-thought: “This too shall pass…”

Example of what suicide prevention

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/golden-gate-bridge-suicide_n_2278973.html

Making it Real

• It's Ok to Talk About Suicide

• Watch and Discuss the video “To This Day”

or “Bullied to Death”

• Complete Making a Difference Quiz on suicide intervention

After reading at least one article, answer these After reading at least one article, answer these questions completely in your notes with the questions completely in your notes with the

title “Bullying/Harassment”`title “Bullying/Harassment”`

1. Why do people “bully” others when we constantly see how cruel it is?

2. What type of hurtful language to you hear in our hallways?

3. What do you when you hear it? Why?

4. What can YOU do to prevent bullying?

5. What WILL you do if you see or hear it happening?

Bullying Prevention in 3 Steps

1. Be willing 1. Be willing to have face to face face to face conversations with people Technology is now the most widely use form for harassment/bullying/stalking

If you wouldn’t say it, don’t type it!

2. Be aware 2. Be aware of your languagelanguage: words DO hurt, words DO hurt, even if you didn’t mean for it to be offensive. Your language sends a message to the world about you, your beliefs, and who you are as a person, whether you believe it or not.

3. Step up! 3. Step up! Simply say, “that’s not cool that’s not cool or ok” or at least don’t laugh

it can be tough to do, but you can keep it simple but make your message clear that it’s not funny or ok to be mean–If it is really bothering you, TELL AN ADULT! You don’t need to suffer in silence!

Top 3 Killers of TeensBrainstorm any and all factors associated with being a victim of that type of teen death and put them in the corresponding circle.

Try to get at least 10 factors for each circle.