Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Suicide Warning Signs
Warning signs are observable behaviors that may signal the presence of suicidal thinking. They might be considered “cries for help” or “invitations to intervene.” These warning signs signal the need to inquire directly about whether the individual has thoughts of suicide. If such thinking is acknowledged, then suicide interventions will be required.
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness• Significant changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts,
and/or feelings• Social withdrawal and isolation• Suicide threats (direct and indirect) • Suicide notes and plans • History of suicidal ideation/behavior• Self-injurious behavior• Preoccupation with death• Making final arrangements (e.g., giving away prized
possessions, posting plans on social media, sending text messages to friends)
Suicide Risk Factors
While the path that leads to suicidal behavior is long and complex and there is no “profile” that predicts suicidal behavior with certainty, there are certain risk factors associated with increased suicide risk. In isolation, these factors are not signs of suicidal thinking. However, when present they signal the need to be vigilant for the warning signs of suicide.
• Access to means (e.g., firearms, knives, medication)• Stressors (e.g., loss, peer relations, school, gender
identity issues)• History of depression, mental illness or substance/
alcohol abuse disorders • History of suicide in the family or of a close friend• History of mental illness in the family
Here’s What You Can Do:
LISTEN
• Assess for suicidal risk.• Listen without judgement. Ask
open-ended questions.
PROTECT
• Take action immediately.• Supervise, do not leave the
student alone.• Consider developing a
safety/re-entry plan, if needed.
CONNECT
• Collaborate with administration or crisis team personnel to determine level of risk.
• Contact Local District School Mental Health Coordinator or Mental Health Consultant for consultation and support.
• Contact Department of Mental Health, law enforcement or protective services, as needed.
• Inform the parent/guardian.• Identify a staff member to monitor student.
MODEL
• Remain calm. Establish a safe environment to talk about suicide.
• Be aware of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions as you listen without judgement.
TEACH
• Provide information and education to parents/guardians about suicide and self-injury.
• Encourage help seeking behaviors and help them identify adults they can trust at home and at school.
• Provide options for school and community resources including referrals to professional mental health services, as needed.
Follow the protocols and guidelines in BUL-2637.1 Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention.
Los Angeles Unified School DistrictStudent Health and Human ServicesSchool Mental Health
Suicide Prevention Awareness for StaffSuicide is a serious public health problem that takes an enormous toll on families, friends, classmates, co-workers and communities, as well as on our military personnel and veterans.Suicide prevention is the collective efforts of local community organizations, mental health practitioners and related professionals to reduce the incidence of suicide through education, awareness, and services.
333 S. Beaudry Avenue, 29th Floor213.241.3841
smh.lausd.net | ccis.lausd.netSchool Mental H
ealth
Los A
ngel
es U
ni�e
d Sc
hool
District
SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE.
SMH Clinics and Wellness Centers
To understand why people die by suicide and why so many others attempt to take their own lives, it is important to know the facts. Please read the facts about suicide below and share them with others.
Understanding Suicide: Myths & Facts
Resources for Suicide Prevention
Resources to Distribute to Students & Parents/Guardians
Resources For Supporting and Responding to StudentsFor assistance/support, contact your Local
District School Mental Health Coordinator
or Mental Health Consultant.
For consultation, Monday-Friday from
8am-4:30pm, contact LAUSD School
Mental Health at (213) 241-3841.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION / After Hours Services If you need IMMEDIATE help, call 911.
Los Angeles School Police Department
(213) 625-6631
For a psychiatric emergency, contact the
Department of Mental Health 24-hour
ACCESS Center at (800) 854-7771.
Community HotlinesDidi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Hotline
(877) 727-4747 (24 hours)National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK (8255) (24 hours)Trevor Lifeline (866) 488-7386 (24 hours)Teen Line (800) 852-8336 (6pm-10pm daily)
Text and Chat ResourcesCrisis Chat (11am-11pm, daily)
http://www.crisischat.org/chat Teen Line - text “TEEN” to 839863
Online Resourceshttp://www.didihirsch.org/http://www.thetrevorproject.org/http://teenline.org/http://www.afsp.org/understanding-suicide
Smartphone AppsMY3Teen Line Youth Yellow Pages
NorthValley Clinic 6651-A Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, 91406Tel: 818-758-2300 | Fax: 818-996-9850Please indicate if you would like to be considered for services at a Valley Clinic Satellite Location: Kennedy HS (Granada Hills) Telfair ES (Pacoima) Sunland ES (Sunland)
WestCrenshaw Wellness Center3206 W. 50th St., Los Angeles, 90043Tel: 323-290-7737 | Fax: 323-290-7713
Hyde Park Clinic6519 S. 8th Ave., Bungalow #46, Los Angeles, 90043Tel: 323-750-5167 | 323-759-2697
Washington Wellness Center 1555 West 110th St., Los Angeles, 90043Tel: 323-241-1909 | Fax: 323-241-1918
SouthSan Pedro Clinic 704 West 8th St., San Pedro, 90731Tel: 310-832-7545 | Fax: 310-833-8580
Locke Wellness Center 316 111th St., Los Angeles, 90061Tel: 323-418-1055 | Fax: 323-418-3964
Carson Wellness Center270 East 223rd St., Carson, 90745 Tel: 310-847-7216 | Fax: 310-847-7214
EastRamona Clinic 231 S. Alma Ave, Los Angeles, 90063 Tel: 323-266-7615 | Fax: 323-266-7695
Gage Wellness Center 2975 Zoe Ave., Huntington Park, 90255Tel: 323-826-9499 | Fax: 323-826-1524
Elizabeth LC Wellness Center4811 Elizabeth St., Cudahy, 90201Tel: 323-271-3676 | Fax: 323-271-3657
CentralBelmont Wellness Center 180 Union Place, Los Angeles, 90026Tel: 213-241-4451 | Fax: 213-241-4465
Roybal Clinic 1200 West Colton St., Los Angeles, 90026Tel: 213-580-6415 | Fax: 213-241-4465
For clinic referrals visit: smh.lausd.net
Myth: Suicide can’t be prevented. If someone is set on taking their own life, there is nothing that can be done to stop them.Fact: Suicide is preventable. The vast majority of people contemplating suicide don’t really want to die. They are seeking an end to intense mental and/or physical pain. Most have a mental illness. Interventions can save lives.
Myth: Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide will put the idea in their head and cause them to act on it.Fact: When you fear someone you know is in crisis or depressed, asking them if they are thinking about suicide can actually help. By giving a person an opportunity to open up and share their troubles you can help alleviate their pain and find solutions.
Myth: Someone making suicidal threats won’t really do it, they are just looking for attention.
Fact: Those who talk about suicide or express thoughts about wanting to die, are at risk for suicide and need your attention. Most people who die by suicide give some indication or warning. Take all threats of suicide seriously. Even if you think they are just “crying for help”—a cry for help, is a cry for help—so help.
Myth: Talk therapy and/or medications don’t work.Fact: Treatment can work. One of the best ways to prevent suicide is by getting treatment for mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar illness and/or substance abuse and learning ways to solve problems. Finding the best treatment can take some time, and the right treatment can greatly reduce the risk of suicide.
If you or someone you care about is at risk for suicide help is available.
Suicide Prevention Activity Tip SheetSuicide Prevention Tips & Resources
Each Mind Matters: California's Mental Health Movement supports that suicide prevention matters. County Behavioral Health Agencies across California have invested in statewide efforts to prepare Californians to prevent suicide by knowing the warning signs for suicide, finding the words to talk with a person they are concerned about and reaching out to local resources.
Know the Signs. Find the Words. Reach Out.Learn how you can help someone who may be at risk for suicide by visiting www.suicideispreventable.org to get informed. Share a link on your own website and share the information with others in your network.
Start conversations: Everyone has a role to play when it comes to preventing suicides.Reach out to someone new and begin a conversation about suicide prevention. For example, ask local businesses to display a poster or your local fitness center to display buttons and brochures. Campaign materials are available in English and Spanish, as well as Chinese, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. All materials can be downloaded in the Resource Center on www.yourvoicecounts.org
Invite young people to direct change:The Directing Change Program & Film Contest encourages young people to create 60-second films about suicide prevention or mental health. Encourage participation, host a local screening, or ask your local movie theater to screen films. For more information and to download films visit www.directingchange.org
Show your support: Many communities host suicide prevention walks and events.By showing up, you demonstrate to people who have lost friends and family to suicide that their loved ones are not forgotten and their pain is recognized. Contact your local county mental health department for a list of local activities or visit the Each Mind Matters events page: www.eachmindmatters.org/events.
Host a training: Suicide prevention gatekeeper trainings provide people with the skills to assist individuals in an emotional crisis. Get trained yourself or offer a training at your organization. Trainings range from one-hour events, such as Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) to more involved trainings, such as suicideTALK, safeTALK. Contact your local county mental health department or email [email protected] for safeTALK or ASIST trainings in your area.
Join California's Mental Health Movement!Each Mind Matters believes that suicide prevention matters. Wearing a lime green ribbon or a Know the Signs button is a great way to open an honest dialogue with friends, family, classmates and co-workers about mental health and how they are feeling. To order ribbons or buttons and for other ways to get involved in the movement visit www.eachmindmatters.org
Funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63).
www.suicideispreventable.org
Risk Factors
While the path that leads to suicidal behavior is long and complex and there is no “profile” that predicts suicidal behavior with certainty, there are certain risk factors associated with increased suicide risk. In isolation, these factors are not signs of suicidal thinking. However, when present they signal the need to be vigilant for the warning signs of suicide.
• Access to means (e.g., firearms, knives, medication)
• Stressors (e.g., loss, peer relations, school, gender identity issues)
• History of depression, mental illness or substance/alcohol abuse
• History of suicide in the family or of a close friend
• History of mental illness in the family
Here’s What You Can Do:
LISTEN• Assess for suicidal risk.• Listen without judgement. • Ask open-ended questions.
PROTECT• Take action immediately.• Supervise, do not leave your
child alone.
• Consider developing a safety plan at school and home, if needed.
CONNECT• Communicate and collaborate
with your child’s school administration, mental health personnel or counselor for support.
• Contact Department of Mental Health, law enforcement or protective services, as needed.
• Help your child identify adult they trust at home and at school.
MODEL• Remain calm. Establish a safe
environment to talk about suicide.
• Be aware of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions as you listen without judgement.
TEACH• Learn the warning signs and risk
factors and provide information and education about suicide and self-injury.
• Encourage help seeking behaviors and help your child identify adults they can trust at home and at school.
• Seek options for school and community resources including referrals to professional mental health services, as needed.
Warning Signs
Warning signs are observable behaviors that may signal the presence of suicidal thinking. They might be considered “cries for help” or “invitations to intervene.” These warning signs signal the need to inquire directly about whether the individual has thoughts of suicide. If such thinking is acknowledged, then suicide interventions will be required.
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness
• Significant changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts, and/or feelings
• Social withdrawal and isolation• Suicide threats (direct and
indirect) • Suicide notes and plans • History of suicidal ideation/
behavior• Self-injurious behavior• Preoccupation with death• Making final arrangements (e.g.,
giving away prized possessions, posting plans on social media, sending text messages to friends)
Los Angeles Unified School DistrictStudent Health and Human Services
School Mental Health
333 S. Beaudry Avenue, 29th Floor213.241.3841
smh.lausd.net | ccis.lausd.net
Suicide Prevention Awareness for Parents/GuardiansSuicide is a serious public health problem that takes an enormous toll on families, friends, classmates, co-workers and communities, as well as on our military personnel and veterans. Suicide prevention is the collective efforts of local community organizations, mental health practitioners and related professionals to reduce the incidence of suicide through education, awareness, and services.
School Mental Health
Los A
ngel
es U
ni�e
d Sc
hool
District
SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE.
SMH Clinics and Wellness Centers
To understand why people die by suicide and why so many others attempt to take their own lives, it is important to know the facts. Read the facts about suicide below and share them with others.
Understanding Suicide: Myths & Facts
What Should I Do If I Am Worried About My Child?
Resources for Parents/Guardians & Children/Adolescents
If you believe that your child is thinking about suicide, approach the situation by asking. Asking is the first step in saving a life and can let them know that you are here for them and will listen. Here are some examples of how you may ask: “Have you thought about suicide?” “Sometimes when people are sad as you are, they think about suicide. Have you ever thought about it?”
EMERGENCY INFORMATION / After Hours Services If you need IMMEDIATE help, call 911.For a psychiatric emergency, contact the Department of Mental Health 24-hour ACCESS Center at (800) 854-7771.
Community HotlinesDidi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Hotline
(877) 727-4747 (24 hours)National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK (8255) (24 hours)Trevor Lifeline (866) 488-7386 (24 hours)Teen Line (800) 852-8336 (6pm-10pm daily)
Text and Chat ResourcesCrisis Chat (11am-11pm, daily)
http://www.crisischat.org/chat Teen Line - text “TEEN” to 839863
Online Resourceshttp://www.didihirsch.org/http://www.thetrevorproject.org/http://teenline.org/http://www.afsp.org/understanding-suicide
Smartphone AppsMY3Teen Line Youth Yellow Pages
Myth: Suicide can’t be prevented. If someone is set on taking their own life, there is nothing that can be done to stop them.Fact: Suicide is preventable. The vast majority of people contemplating suicide don’t really want to die. They are seeking an end to intense mental or physical pain. Most have a mental illness. Interventions can save lives.
Myth: Asking someone if they are thinking about suicide will put the idea in their head and cause them to act on it.Fact: When you fear someone you know is in crisis or depressed, asking them if they are thinking about suicide can actually help. By giving a person an opportunity to open up and share their troubles you can help alleviate their pain and find solutions.
Myth: Someone making suicidal threats won’t really do it, they are just looking for attention.Fact: Those who talk about suicide or express thoughts about wanting to die, are at risk for suicide and need your attention. Most people who die by suicide give some indication or warning. Take all threats of suicide seriously. Even if you think they are just “crying for help”—a cry for help, is a cry for help—so help.
Myth: It is easy for parents/guardians to tell when their child is showing signs of suicidal behavior.Fact: Unfortunately, research shows that this is not the case in a surprisingly large percentage of families. This illustrates the importance for parents/guardians to be attentive to warning signs, risk factors, to ask direct questions, and be open to conversation.
NorthValley Clinic 6651-A Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, 91406Tel: 818-758-2300 | Fax: 818-996-9850
WestCrenshaw Wellness Center3206 W. 50th St., Los Angeles, 90043Tel: 323-290-7737 | Fax: 323-290-7713
Hyde Park Clinic6519 S. 8th Ave., Bungalow #46, Los Angeles, 90043Tel: 323-750-5167 | Fax: 323-759-2697
Washington Wellness Center 1555 West 110th St., Los Angeles, 90043Tel: 323-241-1909 | Fax: 323-241-1918
South97th Street School Mental Health Clinic Barrett Elementary School 439 W. 97th St., Los Angeles, CA 90003 Tel: 323-418-1055 | Fax: 323-418-3964
San Pedro Clinic 704 West 8th St., San Pedro, 90731Tel: 310-832-7545 | Fax: 310-833-8580
Locke Wellness Center 316 111th St., Los Angeles, 90061Tel: 323-418-1055 | Fax: 323-418-3964
Carson Wellness Center270 East 223rd St., Carson, 90745 Tel: 310-847-7216 | Fax: 310-847-7214
EastBell/Cudahy School Mental Health Clinic Ellen Ochoa Learning Center 7326 S. Wilcox, Cudahy, CA 90201 Tel: 323-271-3676 | Fax: 323-271-3657
Ramona Clinic 231 S. Alma Ave, Los Angeles, 90063 Tel: 323-266-7615 | Fax: 323-266-7695
Gage Wellness Center 2880 Zoe Ave., Huntington Park, 90255Tel: 323-826-9499 | Fax: 323-826-1524
Elizabeth LC Wellness Center4811 Elizabeth St., Cudahy, 90201Tel: 323-271-3676 | Fax: 323-271-3657
CentralBelmont Wellness Center 180 Union Place, Los Angeles, 90026Tel: 213-241-4451 | Fax: 213-241-4465
Roybal Clinic 1200 West Colton St., Los Angeles, 90026Tel: 213-580-6415 | Fax: 213-241-4465
For clinic referrals visit: smh.lausd.net
