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Suicide Assessment & Intervention For Educators. Crisis Support Services of Alameda County Cristina Rita, MA. Today’s Agenda. Agency Introduction Understanding Adolescents Youth Suicide Statistics Depression Warning Signs Suicide Warning Signs - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
Cristina Rita, MA
Suicide Assessment & Intervention For Educators
Today’s Agenda Agency Introduction Understanding Adolescents Youth Suicide StatisticsDepression Warning SignsSuicide Warning Signs Contributing Factors to Adolescent SuicideRisk & Protective Factors for Suicide Assessment; & InterventionCommunity Education Conclusion
Crisis Support Services Programs 24 – Hour Crisis Hotline
1-800-309-2131Grief Counseling Program Senior In-Home Counseling
ProgramSupport Groups Debriefing/Disaster ResponseStress Counseling Program
Adolescents: A time of transition
The brain continues to develop until the middle 20’s
Development of cognitive abilities
Physical changes
Changes in social roles & family roles
Loss of innocence
Lack of life experience
Development of ego strength
A time of transitions
Youth Suicide Statistics
More teenagers die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease,
AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and
chronic lung disease
COMBINED
Common Methods
Firearms accounted for 49% of all completed youth suicides
Most youth suicides occur at home after school
Typical adolescent attempter is female who ingests pills
Typical adolescent completer is male who dies by gunshot
Females attempt 3x as often as males
Males complete 4x that of females
General Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning with at least one of the symptoms being depressed mood/or
loss of interest or pleasure
Lack of pleasure and/or depressed mood, Lack of interest in usual activitiesChange in appetiteChange in sleeping patterns Persistent sadness, emptiness, boredomLow self-esteem
Depression Symptoms in Adolescents
Increased agitation, restlessness Aggressive behaviorTruancyRunning away from home IncarcerationRisk-takingSelf harming behaviors Alcohol, drug use Energy fluctuations Excessive fear/anxiety/worryChanges in personality including behavior & dressInability to concentrate Physical complaints Less tolerance for frustrationBlaming oneself inappropriately, overly sensitive, Taking criticism hardBelieving they are not good enough
Suicide Warning Signs Feelings Associated with Suicidal Behavior
Behaviors Commonly Associated with Suicide
Contributing Factors to Adolescent Suicide
(What teens say about why someone their age commits suicide)
Family problems – divorce, abuse, substance abuse Academic pressures Relationship problems Peer pressureFeeling adults cannot be trusted Feeling adults do not understand their problemsPovertyTraumaLoss & grief Mental IllnessSubstance abuse Bullying Loss of hope for a secure future
Risk & Protective Factors for Suicide
Risk Factors Protective Factors Prior suicide attempt Family history of
suicide Substance AbuseSexual abuseTrauma history Sleep deprived AnxietyGender (male,
LGBTQ)
Access to effective clinical care
Restricted access to lethal means
Family & community support
Problem solving skills Cultural & religious
beliefs Ambivalence
Check out the idea:Ask Directly If the answer is yes:
“Do you feel so hopeless that you think about killing yourself?’
“You said that you feel like there is now way out, have you been thinking about suicide?”
“Are you feeling suicidal?”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Do you have means available?”
“Have you done anything to harm yourself before?”
“If so when, what and how much?”
Building Rapport What is causing you to feel suicidal?
How long have you been feeling this way?
What are some positives in your life?
Have you had a difficult time before, how did You cope with it?
What has keep you going so far?
What has stopped you from completing Your suicide plan?
Helpful Responses Acknowledge/validate feelings
Try to understand what happened to make them question whether life is worth living
Are there ways to deal with the pain without having to take your life
Emphasize that most crises are temporary –death is permanent
It is common for youth to be confused about whether they want to die or escape psychological pain
Let them know you are taking this seriously and are concerned about them and want to help
Goals of Intervention Foster life-affirming part of student
Indentify student support system
Lend perspective
Provide realistic hope
Provide a caring presence
Get appropriate professional/clinical help
Follow school protocols
Community EducationTeens for Life Mental Health First Aid – 12 Hour Workshop
Grief & Loss WorkshopsActive Listening WorkshopsResponding to a Crisis in A Educational Environment
Suicide Assessment for Parents, Mental Health Professionals & Educators
Bullying, Cyber-Bullying & Our Youth
Conclusion
The most important question to a potentially suicidal person is not an inquiry about family history or lab tests
but “Where do you hurt?” and “How can I help you?’ Edwin S. Shneidman
Resources
Websites
American Association of Suicidology – www.suicidology.org
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide – http://sptsnj.org
Suicide Prevention Resource Center - http://www.sprc.org
Further Reading
Why People Die by Suicide – Dr. Thomas Joiner
Myths About Suicide – Dr. Thomas Joiner
The Suicidal Mind – Edwin S. Shneidman
