TEEN SUICIDE

Texas HB 1386

TEXAS HB 1386 Adolescence is a period of significant change, during

which youth are faced with a myriad of pressures; the pressures facing youth during adolescence include pressures relating to adapting to bodily changes, succeeding academically, making college and career decisions, being accepted by peers, including pressure to engage in drugs, alcohol, and sex, measuring up to expectations of others, and coping with family and peer conflicts; increased levels of victimization also lead to increased levels of depression and anxiety and decreased levels of self-esteem; emotional trauma and mental health issues, if left unaddressed, can lead and have led to life-threatening violence and suicide; suicide committed by youth continues to present a public health threat that endangers the well-being of the youth of the state

WHAT IS SUICIDE? su·i·cide [soo-uh-sahyd]

Noun the intentional taking of one's own life.

Verb to kill (oneself).

Source: www.dictionary.com

YOUR STORIES

How many of you have heard of someone committing suicide?

Why do people choose to take their life? Depression Feelings of Hopelessness & Anxiety Feelings of being “Trapped” in a Life the One

can’t Handle Believe Suicide is the Only Way to Solve Their

Problems Feel the Pressures of Life are too Much to

Cope Withhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTJwFv2dnWQ

OTHER FACTORS Divorce of Parents Violence in the Home Inability to Find Success at School Feelings of Worthlessness Rejection by Friends or Peers Substance Abuse Death of Someone Close Suicide of a Friend or Someone He/She

“Knows” On-Line

STATISTICS More than 4,600 teenagers die by suicide

each year in the US

More than 157,000 teens are treated in emergency rooms each year for self-inflicted injuries

Between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012)

WARNING SIGNS Drop in School Performance Fixation with Death or Violence Unhealthy Peer Relationships Violent Mood Swings/Sudden Change in

Personality Indications of Abuse Signs of an Eating Disorder Difficulty Adjusting to Gender Identity Bullying Depression

WARNING SIGNS OF HIGH RISK Talking about wanting to die or killing

oneself Talking about feeling

hopeless/trapped/being a burden to others

Giving one’s possessions away Looking for a way to kill oneself Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs Withdrawing from friends/feeling

isolated Talking about seeking revenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBS0YggSTTo&feature=player_embedded

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAE12hdQ9ok

HOW TO RESPOND LIFE Model

Listen to your friends when they need to talk about problems or thoughts of suicide

Insist that they be honest with youFeelings, share them with eachotherExtend a helping hand and go with them to

get a responsible adult involved to help

NEVER KEEP A FRIEND’S SUICIDAL THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF!

1-800-SUICIDE

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6923266n

PREVENTION & INTERVENTION

RESOURCES Society for the Prevention of Teen

Suicidehttp://www.sptsusa.org/

You Matter www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifelinehttp://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/