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Gatekeepers of Arkansas Providing Youth Suicide Prevention AwarenessPrevention Awareness
Talk – Ask – Listen – Keep Safe/Get Help
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IT IS UP TO US TO PROVIDE YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION
H O P EPortions of the slides prepared by Maine Youth Suicide
Prevention Program.www.mainesuicideprevention.org
– Language, Statistics, and Myths about suicide
– Warning signs and risk factors– Basic intervention skills to use with
suicidal behavior– The aftermath of suicidal behavior
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Today We Will Cover:
Language Considerations
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MUST Avoid:“successful suicide”“failed attempt”
Please USE:“suicide” or “died by/of suicide”“non-fatal attempt”
Should Avoid:
“committed suicide”“completed suicide”“JUST a cry for help”
Please USE:
“died by/of suicide”“a suicide attempt”
Suicidal related communications include ideation - the direct communication of thoughts, talk, sharing of plans that may indicate a person is thinking about taking his/her own life. Suicide Attempt: A self-inflicted, potentially injurious behavior with a nonfatal outcome for which there is evidence of intent to die. Suicide: A self-inflicted death with evidence (implicit or explicit) of the intent to die.
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Common Words & Phrases
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for Arkansas’ youth ages 15-24
Of every 5 suicides, 4 are males
Of every 15 suicides, 7 are by firearm, 4 by hanging, 3 by drowning or poison.
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Suicide in Arkansas
It is estimated that there are 25 attempted suicides for each death by suicide
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Attempted Suicides
Attempted SuicidesSuicide
Ratio implies 900,875 suicide attempts annually in USA11,175 Arkansans
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Attempted Suicide by sex/gender
Estimated that there are:
3 female attempts for
each (1) male attempt
Attempted Suicides Suicides
Young
100:1
65 & over
4:1
Attempted Suicide & Age
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1 male and 2 females have
probably attempted
suicide in the past year
In the typical high school classroom:
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Support family/friends Acknowledge the impact, the fear Avoid judging, blaming Emphasize safety and removal of all
lethal means from household Encourage appropriate help
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After an Attempt
1) T or F People who talk about suicide do not actually die by suicide.
2) T or F Suicide usually happens without warning signs.
3) T or F Talking or asking someone about suicide may plant the idea and cause a suicide.
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Facts or Myths ?
Youth suicide is a problem.
We all need to learn about it.
Talking about suicide can save lives.
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In Fact
SOME young children (ages 5-14) do understand the concept of death, are capable of planning a suicide and able to implement the plan. It is a rare event, but we must not assume that children can not or do not die by suicide. They do!
Some states have documented suicides in children as young as 8 years old.
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A Word About Young Children
Warning Signs - the earliest observable signs that indicate the risk of suicide for an individual in the near-term (within minutes, hours or days.)
Risk Factors - long standing conditions, stressful events or situations that may increase the likelihood of a suicide attempt or death.
Protective Factors - personal and social resources that promote resiliency and reduce the potential of suicide.
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Definitions
Ideation Substance Abuse
Purposelessness Anxiety Trapped
Hopelessness
Withdrawal Anger Recklessness Mood Change
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Warning Signs
Useful Mnemonic: Is Path Warm?
Depressed / Anxious Increased alcohol/drug use “Roller coaster” moodiness Changes in every day behaviors Overly pessimistic, hopeless Neglects self, friends, usual activities
Includes Behavioral, Emotional & Physical Signs:
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Early Warning Signs of Suicide
Talks of suicide, plans for how/when/where Refuses help Agitated, restless, picks fights Gives away favorite things, writes a will Shows SUDDEN improvement in mood (suicide
euphoria) Increased isolation Uses instant messaging or phone to drop hints
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Late Signs/Behaviors May Include:
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Listen for Verbal Clues
DirectI wish I were deadI’m going to end it all
IndirectI’m tired of it allYou’ll be better off without meWhat’s the point of living?
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•Depression, anxiety, or mood disorder
•Current or previous suicidal behavior
•Being a victim of sexual or emotional abuse
•Conduct problems
•Access to lethal means
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Risk Factors forAdolescent Suicide
Supports - Supportive parents, friends, teachers & other caring adults
Skills to think, communicate, solve problems, manage anger
Purpose & value in life-hope for future Personal characteristics - good health,
positive outlook, healthy choices Safe Environment – restricted access to
lethal means 22
Protective Factors
There is a lot of cross-over between Risk Factors and Warning Signs!
There is no particular set of risk factors that accurately predicts imminent danger.
There is no “typical” suicidal person - there are ALWAYS varying degrees of risk factors.
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Very Important to Remember…
Crisis point has been reached Distress/torment/anxiety seems
unbearable Solutions to problems seem unavailable Rational Thinking is affected Ambivalence exists between wanting to live
and wanting to end the psychological pain Need to communicate pain is intense!
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From a Suicidal Person’s Point of View
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Worthless Lonely Sad
Hopeless Helpless
ACTIONS
THOUGHTS“All of my problems will end soon”“No one can do anything to help me now”“I wish I were dead”“Everyone will be better off without me”“I won’t be needing these things anymore”“I can’t do anything right”“I can’t think straight”
Giving away possessions Withdrawal (family, friends, school, work) Loss of interest in hobbies Abuse/use of alcohol, substances Reckless behavior Extreme mood swings
PHYSICALLack of interest in appearanceChanges in appetite, weightChange in sleep patterns
DesperateAngryGuilty
FEELINGS
Invitations to Help
Inability/lack of knowledge
Worry about doing/saying the “right” thing
Feelings of inadequacy
Belief in myths of suicide26
Intervention--Why People Hesitate
Ignoring or dismissing the issue Acting shocked or embarrassed Challenging, debating or
bargaining Giving harmful advice
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What is NOT Helpful
1)Show You Care—Listen carefully—Be genuine “I’m concerned about you . . . about how you feel.”
2)Ask the Question—Be direct, caring and non-confrontational
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
3)Get Help—Do not leave him/her alone “You’re not alone. Let me help you.”
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What IS Helpful
Use handout: “What Is Helpful 3-Step Intervention”1. Think up & write 1 or 2 phrases or ways
that YOU would use to “show you care.”2. Write two other ways you might “ask the
question” about suicide.3. List two ways you would try to convince
someone to “get help” and name two resources.
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Practice Helpful Steps!
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Resources for Help – Phone numbers
Arkansas Crisis Hotline 1-888-CRISIS2 (1-888-274-7472)
National Suicide Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)•Or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)•En Español 1-888-628-9454•TTY capability 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
MYSPP Web Site: www.mainesuicideprevention.org
Online Crisis Chat: www.crisischat.org or www.arcrisis.org
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Resources for Help - Websites
School Administrators School Counselors Teachers & School Staff School Nurses & Health Services Social Workers School Crisis Team School Resource Officer Any Trusted Adult32
School Resources for Help
When Any Concern Is Raised Contact: Principal & School Counselor School Crisis Team Parent or GuardianHave a Suicide (Risk) Assessment
Administered33
Our school protocol is…
It is estimated that there are
6 survivors
Ratio implies 199,800 new survivors of suicide annually
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Number of Suicide Survivors
A“suicide survivor” is someone who has lost a loved one to death by
suicide
2,412
Arkansans
in 2008
for each death by suicide
Struggle to make meaning of the loss Suffer from overwhelmingly
complicated feelings May take a long time to grieve Need understanding and support Youth survivors have special issues
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Survivors of Suicide
Acknowledge the loss Share a special memory/story Use the name of the deceased Share your presence Acknowledge the good things Stay in touch Call local hospice center for grief support
groups 36
How you can help after a suicide
Age: Certain ages more than others. Gender: One gender more than the other. Stress: Troubling experiences that challenge
the person’s ability to cope. Warning Signs: Behaviors that can be
observed (Aggression, Sadness, Drug or Alcohol Abuse)
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Factors Used in Estimating the Risk of Suicide
Current Suicide Plan: Whether or not there is a plan and any details of that plan
Prior Suicidal Behavior: Personal history of suicide or suicide attempt(s): including “modeling” by family, friends or others
Resources/Protective Factors: Physical and emotional resources which the person feels are helping, caring or supportive 38
Additional Factors Used in Estimating the Risk of Suicide
Your Rank Rank ___ Age___ Gender ___ Stress___ Warning Signs___ Current Suicidal Plan___ Prior Suicidal Behavior___ Resources/Protective Factors
54 6 3 1 2 7
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Estimate the Risk of Suicide
Acknowledge the intensity of your feelings
Seek support, de-brief Share your feelings Avoid over – involvement Know that you are not responsible for
another person’s choice to end their life40
Responders – Take Care of Yourself!
The story on video we are about to see is true. It concerns a suicide intervention that occurred only days after the end of a suicide prevention learning unit done at a Maine middle school health class.
It is told by the real student and guidance counselor involved. No scripts were used, no rehearsals held and no special lighting or sound systems. A high school student did the actual digital filming.
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“A LIFE SAVED”
Business Office: (479) 756-1995 Fax: (479) 756-2338Email: www.arcrisis.orgAR Crisis Hotline: 1-888-274-7472
Arkansas
Crisis Center
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Any Questions?
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Before You Leave…
Thank You . . For learning about suicide prevention
ADE Support: [email protected] [email protected]
