fspc october newsletter 2018 - florida suicide...

FSPC October 2018 Newsletter http://floridasuicideprevention.org/newsletter/

October2018NewsletterFLORIDASUICIDEPREVENTIONCOALITION

Astatewide,grassrootsorganizationofsurvivors,crisiscenters,&interestedcitizens

AREYOUAFSPCMEMBER?JoinFSPC,astatewide,grassrootsorganizationofsurvivors,crisiscenters,&interestedindividuals.Collaboratetoadvancesuicidepreventioneffortsinlargernumbers:getinvolved,volunteerwithlocal&stateFSPCactivities,&obtainfreeorreducedregistrationatFSPCevents.Membershipinfo:http://floridasuicideprevention.org/membership/FSPCNEWSLETTERSUBMISSIONSSubmitevents,poems,reviews,&writingsforFSPCNewsletterinclusionconsideration.Besuretofollowsafemessagingguidelines.EmailSteveRoggenbaum,ViceChair,atroggenba@usf.eduSUPPORTFSPCWHENYOUSHOPAmazondonatestoFSPC,whenyoumakeanonline(atAmazon)purchase.SupportFSPCbygoingtosmile.amazon.comandregistertheFloridaSuicidePreventionCoalition(FSPC)asyourchosencharity.Sostartshoppingandsupportsuicideprevention.NEWSWORTHYKidsPaintHopefulSayingsOntoRocksasPowerfulPartofSuicidePreventionWalkByKatyAnderson,September2018,Babble.com,courtesyofDisneyLink:https://www.babble.com/body-mind/rock-painting-suicide-prevention/

FSPC REGIONAL DIRECTORS

R1 Rachelle S. Burns (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton) R2 Pam Mezzina (Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf Homes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Washington) R3 Ali Martinez (Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee, Union) R4 Lisa Zeller (Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns) R5 Myrtice Landers (DeSoto, Pinellas, Sarasota) R6 Betsey Westuba (Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco) R7 Tara Sullivan (Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole) R8 Sue Opheim (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee) R9 Doris Carroll (Palm Beach) R10 Rene Barrett (Broward) R11 Elizabeth Quizena (Dade, Monroe) R12 Kelly Sousa (Flagler, Volusia) R13 Judy Broward (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter) R14 Betsey Westuba (Hardee, Highlands, Polk) R15 Lindsay Slattery-Cerny (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie)

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2 FSPC October 2018 Newsletter http://floridasuicideprevention.org/newsletter/

SeptemberisNationalSuicidePreventionMonth.OnSeptember15,Iattendedthe“OutoftheDarknessWalk”organizedbyReach4HopeandtheAmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention(AFSP)atBicentennialParkinCedarCity,Utah.Withover400registeredwalkers,ourlittletowncametogethertoraisemorethan$14,000forthisimportantcause.ThemoneyraisedforthewalkwenttotheAFSPaswellasthecommunityforeducationandresources.

Beforehand,wewantedtogetasmanypeopleinvolvedaspossible—especiallykids.Sowedidsomethinguniquebyhavingchildrenpaintinspirationalmessagesofhopeontorocksthatpeoplecouldlookatduringthewalk.

Rockpaintinghasbeenaroundforawhile,andcanbeafunfamilyactivity.Inmytown,andmanyothersaroundthecountry,kidsandtheirfamiliespaintrocksandthenhidethemaroundthecityforotherstofind.It’sawayofbrighteningsomeone’sday.TherewillevensometimesbeFacebookgroupsormessageboardswhere

painterscanleavecluesastowheretheyhidetheirrocksandwherethosewholocatethemcanreporttheirfindings.

MyhusbandandItookourthreeboystotherockpaintingeventforthesuicidepreventionwalk.Itwasnotonlyfun,butitalsogaveustheopportunitytoteachourboysaboutkindnessandempathy.Weaskedthemastheyweredecoratingtothinkaboutwhatsomeonegoingthroughahardtimemaywanttohear,andletthemknowthattheycanmakeadifferencetoanotherperson.

Whenitcametimetoattendthewalk,Iwaspleasantlysurprisedattheturnout,andimpressedbythespeechesthatweregiven—includingonefromprofessionalcyclistT.JEisenhart.Hespokecandidlyabouthisownstruggleswithdepressionandhisfearsthatwewas“nevergoodenoughtoexcel”inspiteofhissuccessfulcareer.Hismessagewasoneofhopeandlove,asheexpressedthat“it’sokaynottobeokay,”andthat“speakingopenlydoesnotmakeusweak.”Hesayshehas“cometolovehimself”andthatlovingourselvesmeans“youdon’tgiveuponyourself.”

Duringthewalk,Inoticedmanyofthedecoratedrocksalongthepath,helpingtobrightentheway.Manywalkerswouldstoptoreadtherocks,andsomeofthekidsonthewalkwouldpickuptheirfavoritestocarryaround.

Atonepoint,Imetagroupwhotoldmetheyweretheretosupportalovedone,Wesley,whohadattemptedsuicidelastyear.TheirloveandsupportforWesleywasveryapparent,andtheyevendecoratedaspecialrockfortheirgroupthattheynamed“Wesley’sWarriors.”

Currently,myhomestateofUtahhasthefifth-highestsuiciderateinthecountry—italsorecentlyrankedasthesecondhappieststateinthenation.Itcanbeahappyplace,butforthosewhodon’t“fitthemold,”itcanbeisolatingandpainful.UtahislikeaglossyInstagrampage—picturesquefromtheoutsidewithouttellingthewholestory.

Ultimately,nomatterwherewelive,it’suptoustofacethedifficultissueoftherisingratesofsuicide.It’sadifficultsubject,onewemaybehesitanttosharewithchildren,butwecaninvolvetheminraisingawarenessinageappropriateways—likepaintingrockswithmessagesofhappinessandlovethatbringhopetoallwhoviewthem.

ALSONEWSWORTHYAsk,Care,Escort;EveryoneHasAPartInSuicidePreventionByJamesBranch,94thAirliftWingPublicAffairs/PublishedSeptember18,2018

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Link:https://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1637138/ask-care-escort-everyone-has-a-part-in-suicide-prevention/

DOBBINSAIRRESERVEBASE,Georgia--SeptemberisSuicidePreventionMonth.Itpresentsanopportunitytoincreaseawarenessonanissuethataffectspeople,nomattertheage,class,religionorgender.

AirForceleadersarecommittedtothewell-beingoftheirmembers.Theytakeagreatstanceonsuicidepreventionandeveryonehasanimportantroletoplaytohelpthoseatrisk.Commonrisksfactorsforsuicideincluderelationshipproblems,feelingsoflossorguilt,lackofsocialsupport,stress,andsubstanceabuseproblems.

“Onesuicideistoomany,”saidBrig.GeneralRichardKemble,94thAirliftWingcommander.“Beasensor,andinterveneatthelowestlevelifyoususpectsomeonemaydoharmtothemselvesorothers.”

TheAirForcehasadoptedGreenDottraining,aninteractivebystanderapproachtopreventingsuicides.Itempowersindividualsrecognizewarningsigns,understandbarriers,andintervenebydirecting,delegatingordistracting.

Lotsofpeopleexhibitingasmallbehaviorcanequalabigimpact,saidTandraHunter,94thAirliftWingviolencepreventionintegratorandGreenDotProgrammanager.“Ifyouseesomething,saysomething,”sheadded.Hunterstatesthatit’sveryimportantthatleaderstakethetimetogettoknowtheirAirmen,andtalkingopenlyandhonestlyaboutemotionaldistressandsuicideisok.

“Talkingwillnotmakesomeonemoresuicidalorputtheideaofsuicideintheirmind,”saidHunter.“Ifyouareconcernedaboutsomeone,askthemaboutit.TheACEmethod,Ask,Care,Escort,isagreatwaytomakethatconnection.”

Ifyou,orsomeoneyouknowisthinkingaboutharmingthemselves,calltheNationalSuicidePreventionLifelineat1-800-273-8255,andpress1,ortheMilitaryCrisisLineat1-800-273-TALK,andpress1.

PleasejointheViolencePreventionOfficeWednesday,Sept.26,for“ChatandChew,”aneventthatwillprovideanopportunityforindividualstospeakopenlyaboutsuicideanditseffectsonthecommunity.

INFOCUSGettoknowaRegionalDirectororOfficeralittlebetterinournewsletter.

LindsaySlattery-Cerny:Region15Director(IndianRiver,Martin,Okeechobee,St.Luciecounties).WelcometoournewestRegionDirector!

LindsaygrewupinMassachusetts,haslivedincentralandsouthFlorida,andcurrentlyresidesinJupiter.ShemovedtoFloridawithherfamilywhenshewas9yearsold.Lindsayvolunteerstohelprescuedogsfindhomes.Itseemsasifthetwodogsinthepicturehavefoundtheirhome!Herhobbiesincludejoggingandknitting.

LindsayandDorisCarroll(Region9&15Director)connectedduringaVeteran’sAdministrationSuicidePreventionSummit.DorisintroducedLindsaytotheFSPCandhelpedLindsaybecomemorefamiliarwiththeorganization.Lindsaywasalreadyworkingintheareaofsuicidepreventionandwantedtobecomemoreinvolved.Lindsaydesirestohelpraiseknowledgeand

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awarenessofsuicidepreventionandcrisisinterventionalongtheTreasureCoastandOkeechobeecounties.ABIGthankyoutoDorisCarrollforintroducingLindsaytoFSPC.

Lindsaywaspreviouslyatherapistworkinginchildwelfareandcorrectionalsettings.ShecurrentlyworksfortheFloridaLinkingIndividualsNeedingCareProject(FLLINC)whichisajointeffortfromtheUniversityofSouthFlorida,theFloridaStatewideOfficeforSuicidePrevention,FloridaCouncilforCommunityMentalHealth,SoutheastFloridaBehavioralHealthNetwork,andSAMHSA.LindsayalsoworksdirectlywithSoutheastFloridaBehavioralHealthNetwork(ManagingEntityforSoutheastFlorida)toassistwithanysuicidepreventioneffortsinCircuits15&19.LindsaytravelsfromPalmBeachtotheTreasureCoastandOkeechobee,trainingindividualsinsuicidepreventionandcrisisintervention,bothprofessionalsandmembersofthegeneralcommunity.AfewoftheagencieswithwhichLindsayhascontactinclude:NewHorizonsoftheTreasureCoast,JeromeGoldenBehavioralHealthCenter,FloridaDepartmentofHealth,Children'sServicesCouncil(tri-county),St.LucieCountySchoolDistrict,andNAMIofPalmBeach.

INFOCUS(part2)GettoknowaRegionalDirectororOfficeralittlebetterinournewsletter.

DeltaLifeFitness-SouthJacksonvilleandownerChelseaKrollorganizedthefirstannualsuicideawarenessandpreventionglowworkoutandwalkonSeptember9thonJacksonvilleBeach.

Mentalhealthandselfcareismorethantimeoutforapedicureormimosa,it’sprotectingyourmindfromnegativeinfluencesandthoughtsandsaying“no”toany

activityinyourpersonalorprofessionallifewhichcausesyoumentalpain.Surroundyourselfwithpositivepeoplewhowillencourageyoutobecomethebestversionofyourself.Weareonamissiontobuildapositivecommunityofwomenandwehopeyouwilljoinusinthiseffort.LisaZeller,FSPCRegion4Director(fifthfromrightwithsunglasses),participated.

INFOCUS(part3)GettoknowaRegionalDirectororOfficeralittlebetterinournewsletter.

GuyandJaneBennettrepresentedtheFSPCatCenterstone’s“Life;Story”16thAnnualWalk/RuneventinSarasotaonSaturday9/22/18startingat6am.Yes,that’sasunrise–notasunsetinthephoto.GuyandJanesharedsuicidepreventioninformation(FSPCnewsletters,brochures,conferenceSave-the-Date,andmore)withattendees,othervendors,and

Centerstonestaff.OveradozenfolkssignedupfortheFSPCemaillist.FSPCissoluckytohaveGuyandJanesharetheircommitmentto

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suicidepreventionthroughvolunteeringandparticipatinginFSPCevents.Theyattendedandwroteabouttheirexperiencesatthe2018FloridaTakingActionforSuicidePreventionConference&DACinapreviousnewsletter(March2018-http://floridasuicideprevention.org/newsletter/).

AVAILABLERESOURCETheParentHandbookonChildhoodandTeenDepressionLink:https://www.erikaslighthouse.org/the-parent-handbook-on-childhood-and-teen-depression-1/

Manyparentsdon’tknowthesignsofteendepressionorwheretoturnforhelp.Understandingexactlywhat’sgoingonwithyourchild,findingtherighttreatment,dealingwiththeschools,negotiatinginsuranceissues–allarechallengesthatparentsfacewhentheirchildissufferingfromdepression.

TheParenthandbookonChildhoodandTeenDepressionbyErika’sLighthouseisdesignedtohelp–withpracticalideaswritteninaneasytoreadstyle,weareheretohelpyou.Thisisaparent-to-parentguideandcontainsideasthatwehavefoundhelpful–ideasthatwehopewillbeofsomehelptoyouasyoudealwiththisdifficulttimeinyourfamily’slife.

The86-pagehandbookcoversasignificantamountofinformationincludingdepressionfacts,andpracticaltipsaboutyourfamilyandotherinthehome;yourson/daughterinschool;aprimeronvariousinterventions;andmentalwellnessstrategies.

ANOTHERAVAILABLERESOURCESuicideSafe:TheSuicidePreventionAppforHealthCareProviders(FreefromSAMHSA)Link:https://store.samhsa.gov/apps/suicidesafe/

Forindividualsatriskofsuicide,behavioralhealthandprimarycaresettingsprovideuniqueopportunitiestoconnectwiththehealthcaresystemandaccesseffectivetreatment.Almosthalf(45%)ofindividualswhodiebysuicidehavevisitedaprimarycareproviderinthemonthpriortotheirdeath,and20%havehadcontactwithmentalhealthservices.SuicideSafe,SAMHSA'snewsuicidepreventionappformobiledevicesandoptimizedfortablets,helpsprovidersintegratesuicidepreventionstrategiesintotheirpracticeandaddresssuicideriskamongtheirpatients.SuicideSafeisafreeappbasedonSAMHSA'sSuicideAssessmentFive-StepEvaluationandTriage(SAFE-T)card.Thefive-stepplaninvolvesidentifyingriskfactorsandprotectivefactors,conductingasuicideinquiry,determiningrisklevelandinterventions,anddocumentingatreatmentplan.SAMHSA’sSuicideSafehelpsproviders:• LearnhowtousetheSAFE-Tapproachwhenworkingwithpatients.• Exploreinteractivesamplecasestudies&seetheSAFE-Tinactionthroughcasescenarios&tips.• Quicklyaccessandshareinformation,includingcrisislines,factsheets,educationalopportunities,andtreatmentresources.

• Browseconversationstartersthatprovidesamplelanguageandtipsfortalkingwithpatientswhomaybeinneedofsuicideintervention.

• Locatetreatmentoptions,filterbytypeanddistance,andsharelocationsandresourcestoprovidetimelyreferralsforpatients.

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• SuicideSafe,SAMHSA’sfreesuicidepreventionapp,availableforiOS®andAndroid™mobiledevices.

WHAT’SHAPPENINGOctober6,2018(10:00am–2:00pm).MindFest.DeLand.http://www.eccwestv.org/mindfest

October31,2018.DuedateforsubmissionofpresentationproposalsforFSPC’sFourthAnnualFloridaTakingActionforSuicidePreventionConference.Presenterswillbe

notifiedbymid-lateJanuary.

February9,2019(newdate)(7:00amBreakfast;8:00am-3:30pmConference).Miami-DadeCommunityCollege’s4thAnnualSuicidePreventionConference.NicklausChildren’sHospital-MainAuditorium,3100SW62ndAvenue,Miami.http://www.nicklauschildrens.org/cme

March19&20,2019.FSPC’sFourthAnnualFloridaTakingActionforSuicidePreventionConferenceisatwo-halfdayconferenceinTallahassee.

RESOURCESIfyouorsomeoneyouknowisincrisis,pleasecall1-800-273-8255(NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline).

CrisisTextLine–text“start”to741-741

Veteran’sCrisisLine1-800-273-8255,press1&https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

ResourcesforSurvivorsofSuicideLoss.SAVE.SuicideAwarenessVoicesforEducationmaintainsaresourcelistat:http://suicidegrief.save.org/ResourceLibrary

SuicideLossSurvivors.TheAmericanAssociationofSuicidology(AAS)hostsawebpagewithlistedresourcesforsurvivorsofsuicidelossathttp://www.suicidology.org/suicide-survivors/suicide-loss-survivors

SuicideGriefResources.Helpfulinformation,tools,andlinksforpeoplebereavedbysuicideathttp://suicidegriefresources.org/

STOPSuicideNortheastIndiana.(2016).Help&Hope:ForSurvivorsofSuicideLoss.Retrievedfromhttp://www.stopsuicidenow.org/toolkits-now-available/

Florida’sStatewideOfficeofSuicidePrevention(DCF): http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/mental-health/suicide-prevention

NationalActionAllianceforSuicidePrevention:ThePublic-PrivatePartnershipAdvancingtheNationalStrategyforSuicidePrevention:http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/resources

CopingAfterSuicideLoss:TipsforGrievingAdults,Children,andSchools.TheAmericanPsychologicalAssociationtipsheet.http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/suicide-coping-tips.pdf

TheSteveFun.Dedicatedtothementalhealthandemotionalwell-beingofstudentsofcolor.https://www.stevefund.org/

GuideforSuicideAttemptSurvivorsafterTreatmentintheEmergencyDepartment.TheSubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration’s(SAMHSA)brochureforpeoplewhohavereceivedemergencydepartmenttreatmentforasuicideattempt.Includestipsonhowtocopewiththoughtsofsuicideandresourcesforfindinghelp.Thebrochureisalsoavailablein

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Spanish.https://store.samhsa.gov/product/A-Guide-for-Taking-Care-of-Yourself-After-Your-Treatment-in-the-Emergency-Department/SMA18-4355ENG?utm

GuideforTakingCareofaFamilyMemberafterEmergencyDepartmentTreatmentforanAttempt.SAMHSA’sbrochureoncaringforafamilymemberafterasuicideattemptwhichdescribesemergencydepartmenttreatmentprocess,listsquestionstoaskaboutfollow-uptreatment,andofferstipsonhowtoreduceriskathome.ThebrochureisalsoavailableinSpanish.https://store.samhsa.gov/product/A-Guide-for-Taking-Care-of-Your-Family-Member-After-Treatment-in-the-Emergency-Department/SMA18-4357ENG?utm

GuideforEmergencyDepartmentProvidersonCaringforSuicideAttemptSurvivors.SAMHSA’sbrochureforemergencydepartmentprovidersonenhancingtreatmentforpatientswhohaveattemptedsuicide.Itincludesinformationonpatientassessment,HIPAAregulations,andtipsforcommunicatingwithfamilyandothertreatmentproviders.https://store.samhsa.gov/product/A-Guide-for-Medical-Providers-in-the-Emergency-Department-Taking-Care-of-Suicide-Attempt-Survivors/All-New-Products/SMA18-4359?utm

AnaraGuard,previousSeniorAdvisor,CaliforniaStatewideSuicidePreventionCampaign,recentlysharedthefollowingSpanish-targetedresourcesontheAASListServ:

FiveSignsofEmotionalSufferingavailableinSpanish:http://www.changedirection.org

AFSP’slosssurvivorfilm,FamilyJourneysinSpanish(Forsubtitles,clicktheCCbuttonintheright-handcornerofthe“Play”barandchooseSpanishinthedropdown).Streamfilmathttp://www.survivorday.org/survivor-day-documentaries/

Guidethroughgrief:MourningthelossofalovedoneinSpanishandEnglishhttps://healthonline.washington.edu/document/health_online/pdf/Guide-Through-Grief-SP.pdf

Brochures,videoandaudioonthesetopics:anxiety,bipolardisorder,mentalhealth,obsessivecompulsivedisorder,panicdisorder,autism,postpartumdepression,schizophreniaandsuicide:http://healthyroadsmedia.org/Listing.htm

ThisradiospotisaimedatLatinoparents,andencourageslistenerstolearnthesignsandactionstotakewhenateenagerisconsideringsuicide.DevelopedforaCaliforniasuicidepreventionandmentalhealthstigmareductionprojects:https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/spanish-radio-que-harias-si-supieras-what-would-you-do-if-you-knew

30-secondTVspotaimedatLatinoparents:https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/spanish-tv

Brochureprovidesinformationaboutwarningsigns,howtofindthewordstooffersupporttosomeoneandalinktothecampaignwebsiteforresources.https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/suicide-prevention-brochure-spanish

AfilminSpanish,withEnglishsubtitles,thattellsthestoryofagirlwhonoticessignsofsuicideinherfriendTylerandreachesouttosupporthimandconnecthimwithhelp.https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/directing-change-film-my-friend-tyler

ANEXTRAHELPING...NationalSuicidePreventionWeekwasSeptember9to15:WhatDoWeStillNeedtoKnowandDo?byDr.ScottPolandwholosthisfathertosuicideandisaprofessorintheCollegeofPsychologyandtheCo-directoroftheSuicideandViolencePreventionOfficeatNovaSoutheasternUniversity.ArecentreportfromtheCenterforDiseaseControlstatedthatfrom1999to2016suicideratesincreasedineverystateexceptNevadathathadaveryminordecrease.Thehighestsuiciderateis

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inMontana.SuicidedeathsforAmericanstotalapproximately45,000everyyearincreasingforvirtuallyeveryagegroup,raceandgender.

Suicidepreventionweekisdesignedtoraiseawarenessofthewarningsignsofsuicide,promotepreventionresources,andtoencourageAmericanstotalkaboutsuicidepreventionmore.Askingindividualsaboutsuicidewillnotcausethemtothinkaboutendingtheirlife.However,iftheyaresuicidal,itgivesthemachancetounburdenthemselvesandtoknowthathelpisavailable.

Everyoneneedstoknowthe24-hourNationalCrisisHelpline.Thenumbersare1-800-273-TALK,1-800-Suicide,andtheNationalCrisisTextlinecanbeaccessedbytextingHOMEto741741.

Themostcommonwarningsignsofsuicidearethefollowing:• Statementsaboutsuicide,deathanddying• Givingawayofprizedpossessions• Dramaticchangesinbehavior• Makingoutawill

Suicideismostoftentheresultofmentalillnesssuchasdepression.Thereareevidence-basedtreatmentsforallmentalillnesses.

Americansalsoneedtoknowtheimportanceofmeansrestriction.Iwouldliketosharethisrecentexample.MycousincalledmetosharethathisneighborBob,whohasbeendepressed,wasseenintheparkinglotofhiscondominiumholdingaguntohishead.Iaskedifanyonehadtakenhisneighborimmediatelytoanemergencyroomandtheanswerwasno.MycousinsaidBobsufferedfromadvancedstagesofParkinson’sdisease.IaskedmycousinifBobwasreceivinganymentalhealthtreatmentinadditiontothemedicaltreatmentforhisParkinson’sdisease.MycousinrespondedthatBobwasnotreceivingmentalhealthtreatment.StatingthatitwasunfortunateBobhadnotbeentakentotheemergencyroomwhenhewassuicidal,Iaskedifallgunshadbeenremovedfromhishome.MycousinreportedthatBob’swifetoldhimthatthegunsbelongedtoherhusbandandshedidnothavetherighttoremovethem.Mycousinasked,“whatdifferencewoulditmakeifthegunswereremovedasBobwouldfindanotherwaytodiebysuicide.”Isharedwithhimtheresearchthatwhenyouremovethelethalmeanssuchasagunorraisethebarrieronabridgethatsuicideratesgodown.MycousinaskedwhathecoulddotohelphisfriendBob.IrespondedthatBob’sphysicianneededtoknowabouthisdepressionandsuicidalactionsanditwasnecessarytoremovethegunsfromhishome.I’mpleasedtoreportthatBobisnowreceivingtheneededmentalhealthtreatment,gunshavebeenremovedfromhishomeandheknowshowtocontactsuicidepreventionresources.Isharethisexampletoillustratethatsuicidecanbeprevented.

IrecentlywrotetheCrisisActionSchoolToolkitonSuicideforthestateofMontana.SuicideistheleadingcauseofdeathforadolescentsinMontanaanditismyhopethatafuturegenerationofMontananswillknowhowtopreventsuicide.

ANEXTRA,EXTRAHELPING...CopingAfterSuicideLoss:TipsforGrievingAdults,ChildrenandSchoolsByTheAmericanPsychologicalAssociationTheAmericanPsychologicalAssociationgratefullyacknowledgespsychologistsMaryAlvord,PhD,NadineKaslow,PhD,ShaneOwens,PhD,andRobinGurwitch,PhD,fortheirhelpwiththisfactsheet.Link:http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/coping-after-suicide.aspx

Deathbysuicideisalwaysatragicevent.Itcantriggerahostofcomplicatedandconfusingemotions.Whetheryouarecopingwiththelossofalovedone,orarehelpingachildoradultnavigatesuchaloss,thesetoolscanhelp.

Howtocopewhenafriendorlovedonediesbysuicide

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Acceptyouremotions.Youmightexpecttofeelgriefanddespair,butothercommonfeelingsincludeshock,denial,guilt,shame,anger,confusion,anxiety,lonelinessandeven,insomecases,relief.Thosefeelingsarenormal,andcanvarythroughoutthehealingprocess.

Don’tworryaboutwhatyou“should”feelordo.There’snostandardtimelineforgrieving,andnosinglerightwaytocope.Focusonwhatyouneed,andacceptthatothers’pathsmightbedifferentfromyours.

Careforyourself.Doyourbesttogetenoughsleepandeatregular,healthymeals.Takingcareofyourphysicalselfcanimproveyourmoodandgiveyouthestrengthtocope.

Drawonexistingsupportsystems.Accepthelpfromthosewhohavebeensupportsinthepast,includingyourfamily,yourfriendsormembersofyourfaith-basedcommunity.

Talktosomeone.Thereisoftenstigmaaroundsuicide,andmanylosssurvivorssufferinsilence.Speakingaboutyourfeelingscanhelp.

Joinagroup.Supportgroupscanhelpyouprocessyouremotionsalongsideotherswhoareexperiencingsimilarfeelings.Peoplewhodon’tthinkofthemselvesassupportgrouptypesareoftensurprisedbyhowhelpfulsuchgroupscanbe.

Talktoaprofessional.Psychologistsandothermentalhealthprofessionalscanhelpyouexpressandmanageyourfeelingsandfindhealthycopingtools.

TalkingtochildrenandteensaboutdeathbysuicideParents,teachers,schooladministratorsandotheradultsinachild’slifeoftenfeelunpreparedtohelpayoungpersoncopewithadeathbysuicide.Thesestrategiescanhelpyoufosteropendialogueandoffersupport.

Dealwithyourownfeelingsfirst.Pausetoreflectonandmanageyourownemotionssoyoucanspeakcalmlytothechildorchildreninyourlife.

Behonest.Don’tdwellondetailsoftheactitself,butdon’thidethetruth.Useage-appropriatelanguagetodiscussthedeathwithchildren.

Validatefeelings.Helpthechildputnamestoheremotions:“Itsoundslikeyou’reangry,”or“Ihearyoublamingyourself,butthisisnotyourfault.”Acknowledgeandnormalizethechild’sfeelings.Shareyourownfeelings,too,explainingthatwhileeachperson’sfeelingsaredifferent,it’sokaytoexperiencearangeofemotions.

Avoidrumors.Don’tgossiporspeculateaboutthereasonsforthesuicide.Instead,whentalkingtoachildorteen,emphasizethatthepersonwhodiedwasstrugglingandthinkingdifferentlyfrommostpeople.

Tailoryoursupport.Everyonegrievesathisorherownpaceandinhisorherownway.Somepeoplemightneedprivacyastheyworkthroughtheirfeelings.Respecttheirprivacy,butcheckinregularlytoletthemknowtheydon’thavetogrievealone.Otherchildrenmightwantsomeonetotalktomoreoften.Stillothersprefertoprocesstheirfeelingsthroughartormusic.Askthechildhowthey’dlikeyoutohelp.Letthemknowit’sokaytojustbetogether.

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Extendtheconversation.Usethisopportunitytoreachouttootherswhomightbesuffering.Askchildren:Howcanyouandyourpeershelpsupporteachother?Whoelsecanyoureachouttoforhelp?Whatcanyoudoifyou’restrugglingwithdifficultemotions?

TipsforschoolsHandletheannouncementwithcare.Schoolsshouldnotreportthecauseofadeathassuicideiftheinformationhasn’tbeenreleasedbythefamilyorreportedinthemedia.Whendiscussingastudent’sdeathbysuicide,avoidmakingannouncementsoverthepublicaddresssystem.It’shelpfulifteachersreadthesameannouncementtoeachclassroom,sothatstudentsknoweveryoneisgettingthesameinformation.

Identifystudentswhoneedmoresupport.Thesecanincludefriendsofastudentwhodiedbysuicide,thosewhowereinclubsoronteamswiththedeceased,andthosewhoaredealingwithlifestressorssimilartothestressorsexperiencedbythedeceased.Lessobviously,peerswhohadunfriendlyrelationshipswiththedeceased–includingthosewhoteasedorbulliedthedeceasedorwerebulliedbythedeceased.Thesestudentsmayalsohavecomplicatedfeelingsofguiltandregretthatrequireextrasupport.

Preventimitation.Researchershavefoundnewsstoriesthatusegraphiclanguage,sensationalizethedeathorexplicitlydescribethemethodofsuicidecanincreasetheriskofadditionaldeathsbysuicide.Whentalkingtochildren,avoidgraphicdetailsandfocusinsteadonhope,healingandthevalueofthepersonwhentheywerealive.

Minimizepositiveattention.Dedicatingspecialeventstothedeceasedcanmakehimorherseemlikeacelebrity.Vulnerablechildrenmightseesuchattentionandthinksuicideisawaytobenoticed.Insteadofmemorials,consideracknowledgingthedeaththrougheventssuchassuicideawarenesswalksorcampaigns.

Choosewordscarefully.Toprotectpeerswhomayalsohavesuicidalthoughts,avoidphrasessuchas“She’snolongersuffering,”or“He’sinabetterplace.”Insteadfocusonpositiveaspectsoftheperson’slife.Avoidtheterm“committedsuicide,”andinsteadusediedbysuicide.

Keepthelinesofcommunicationopen.Helpstudentsidentifyadultstheycantrustandotherresourcestheycandrawoniftheystrugglewithsadnessorwiththeirownsuicidalfeelings.Makesurestudentsknowwheretheycanturnforhelp,notonlyafterthisloss,butinthemonthsandyearstocome.

FindinghelpIfyouorachildinyourlifeisgrievingadeathbysuicide,apsychologistcanhelpyouexpressandmanageyourfeelingsandfindhealthywaystocope.Clinicalpsychologistsareprofessionalstrainedtoidentifymental,emotionalandbehavioralproblemsorchallengesandfindsolutionsforhandlingthem.Tofindalicensedpsychologistinyourarea,useourPsychologistLocator.Resources• NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline1-800-273-TALK(8255)• AmericanFoundationforSuicidePrevention• AmericanAssociationofSuicidology:DirectoryofSupportGroups• SocietyforthePreventionofTeenSuicide

FSPCMEMBERSHIPNewFSPCMembershiporRenewalinformationavailableonlineat:

http://floridasuicideprevention.org/membership