suicide “most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept...

SuicideSuicide“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by

people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

Dale Carnegie

Statistics from Washington Statistics from Washington State…State…

There are an average of two youth There are an average of two youth suicides a week in Washington State.suicides a week in Washington State.

Suicide is the second leading cause of Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds.death for 15-24 year olds.

The first leading cause of death is car The first leading cause of death is car crashes.crashes.

For every completed suicide, there are For every completed suicide, there are at least 6 attempts which cause at least 6 attempts which cause serious injury requiring hospitalization.serious injury requiring hospitalization.

Facts and Myths about Facts and Myths about SuicideSuicide

1.1. People who talk about suicide People who talk about suicide seldom mean it and can, in fact, be seldom mean it and can, in fact, be regarded as low risk to commit regarded as low risk to commit suicide.suicide.

FALSE: Many times people do FALSE: Many times people do in fact give verbal clues prior to a in fact give verbal clues prior to a suicide. “I can’t see any other way suicide. “I can’t see any other way out” or “you’ll be sorry when I’m out” or “you’ll be sorry when I’m gone”gone”


2. The fact that a person has attempted suicide 2. The fact that a person has attempted suicide once greatly reduces the risk of a second once greatly reduces the risk of a second attempt.attempt.

False – it actually increases the riskFalse – it actually increases the risk

3. If you ask a person directly if he or she is 3. If you ask a person directly if he or she is thinking about suicide, you might implant the thinking about suicide, you might implant the idea in their mind. Therefore this type of idea in their mind. Therefore this type of direct questioning should be avoided when direct questioning should be avoided when assessing suicidal intent.assessing suicidal intent.

False – you should be direct, many times False – you should be direct, many times it is a relief to a person and opens the door for it is a relief to a person and opens the door for them to talk about it.them to talk about it.


4. Women attempt suicide more often 4. Women attempt suicide more often than men.than men.

TrueTrue

5. The probability of actually killing 5. The probability of actually killing themselves during a suicide attempt themselves during a suicide attempt is higher among men that women.is higher among men that women.

True – because men tend to use True – because men tend to use more violent methods.more violent methods.


6. Most suicides occur without 6. Most suicides occur without recognizable warnings.recognizable warnings.

False – 8 out of 10 give warning – False – 8 out of 10 give warning – however most are not recognized until however most are not recognized until after.after.

7. The loss of loved ones or relationships 7. The loss of loved ones or relationships has little to do with suicidal behavior.has little to do with suicidal behavior.

False – major loss can trigger False – major loss can trigger depression which can lead to suicidedepression which can lead to suicide


8. If your friend confides in you that 8. If your friend confides in you that he/she is depressed and doesn’t he/she is depressed and doesn’t want to go on, it is important to want to go on, it is important to keep their secret, protect their keep their secret, protect their privacy and try to help them on your privacy and try to help them on your own.own.

False – TELL SOMEONE – get False – TELL SOMEONE – get help, a mad friend is better that a help, a mad friend is better that a dead friend.dead friend.


9. Most people who attempt suicide and live 9. Most people who attempt suicide and live are glad they are aliveare glad they are alive

True – they realize later that problems True – they realize later that problems are temporary and see that they do passare temporary and see that they do pass

10. If a person is determined to kill 10. If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.

False – even the most depressed person False – even the most depressed person has mixed feelings about death. Most do not has mixed feelings about death. Most do not want to die – they just want the pain to stop.want to die – they just want the pain to stop.

Lidia's Story: A Suicide Loss Survivor Speaks Out - Lidia's Story: A Suicide Loss Survivor Speaks Out - YouTubeYouTube

The Point is….The Point is….

Youth suicide is a major problem Youth suicide is a major problem in Washington Statein Washington State

Talking about suicide may help Talking about suicide may help to save a lifeto save a life

Causes of Suicidal BehaviorCauses of Suicidal Behaviorsome examples…. Don’t have to write this all some examples…. Don’t have to write this all

down down

Individual• Depression, hopelessness anxiety• drugs and/or alcohol use

Home

School

• Family conflicts/fights• Death/divorce• Abuse

• Failing grades• Suspension• School pressures

Relationships• Break up with girlfriend/ boyfriend• Conflicts, crisis, abuse

There are usually There are usually MANYMANY Causes for Causes for Suicidal BehaviorSuicidal Behavior

““Suicidal Suicidal Behavior” is Behavior” is progressive…. progressive….

it starts with it starts with Thoughts and Thoughts and leads to Actions…leads to Actions…

Warning Signs for Warning Signs for SuicideSuicide Increased use of Increased use of

alcohol/drugsalcohol/drugs Sudden changes in Sudden changes in

eating/sleeping habitseating/sleeping habits Changes in Changes in

appearanceappearance Changes in personality Changes in personality

– anger, bizarre – anger, bizarre behaviorbehavior

Sudden mood swings… Sudden mood swings… ups and downs… ups and downs…

Lots of risk taking… Lots of risk taking… not caring if they get not caring if they get hurthurt

Lack of interest in Lack of interest in activities or schoolactivities or school

Don’t want to hang out Don’t want to hang out with friends anymore – with friends anymore – withdrawalwithdrawalPreoccupation with death Preoccupation with death – music, drawings, poetry, – music, drawings, poetry, etc… etc… Giving away prized Giving away prized possessionspossessionsPrevious attempts of Previous attempts of suicidesuicideSuicide threats, plans or Suicide threats, plans or talking about ittalking about itUnexplained sudden Unexplained sudden recovery from a severe recovery from a severe depressiondepression

3 Categories of Cues…3 Categories of Cues…

Verbal…Verbal…– Saying things like…Saying things like…

I hate my life, I want to die, I I hate my life, I want to die, I wish I wasn’t here, no one would wish I wasn’t here, no one would be sorry if I were gone, there’s no be sorry if I were gone, there’s no point to living, I just want it to be point to living, I just want it to be over, I wish I had never been over, I wish I had never been born, born,


Behavioral…Behavioral…– Changes in behavior, talking, Changes in behavior, talking,

writing letters, big character writing letters, big character changes, crying, deep changes, crying, deep hopelessness, change in hopelessness, change in appearance, change in friends, appearance, change in friends, focus on death, giving away stuff, focus on death, giving away stuff, increase in drug and alcohol useincrease in drug and alcohol use


Situational…Situational…

difficult situations in life can lead to difficult situations in life can lead to depression – which can lead to depression – which can lead to suicide..suicide..

academic problems, divorce, academic problems, divorce, parent issues, athlete who breaks a parent issues, athlete who breaks a leg, bullying, gossip, no friends, death leg, bullying, gossip, no friends, death of a loved one, abuse, disease, of a loved one, abuse, disease, pregnancy, break up of relationship…pregnancy, break up of relationship…

Things that Increase Things that Increase Suicidal RiskSuicidal Risk

Easy access to gunsEasy access to gunsImpulsivenessImpulsivenessNo one to talk toNo one to talk toDrug and alcohol useDrug and alcohol use

Something to think Something to think about…about…

““Suicide is not chosen; Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain.” resources for coping with pain.”

You can survive suicidal feelings You can survive suicidal feelings if you do either of two things: if you do either of two things:

(1) find a way to reduce your (1) find a way to reduce your pain,pain, or or (2) find a way to (2) find a way to

increase your coping increase your coping resources. resources.

Both are possible.Both are possible.

What is NOT Helpful…What is NOT Helpful… Ignoring or dismissing the issueIgnoring or dismissing the issue

“ “Oh, let’s talk about something else.”Oh, let’s talk about something else.”

“ “You’ll meet another girl and forget this one; You’ll meet another girl and forget this one; you’re a great guy.”you’re a great guy.”

Acting shocked or embarrassedActing shocked or embarrassed

“ “You aren’t REALLY thinking of suicide, are you?”You aren’t REALLY thinking of suicide, are you?” Challenging or debatingChallenging or debating

“ “So go ahead; see if things really DO get better.”So go ahead; see if things really DO get better.”

“ “Don’t you know that it is wrong to kill yourself?”Don’t you know that it is wrong to kill yourself?” Giving harmful adviceGiving harmful advice

“ “Let’s get drunk and forget about our problems.”Let’s get drunk and forget about our problems.”

What IS Helpful…What IS Helpful…

Show You Care--Listen carefullyShow You Care--Listen carefully““I’m concerned about you . . . about how you feel.”I’m concerned about you . . . about how you feel.”

Ask the Question--Be direct but caring Ask the Question--Be direct but caring & & non-confrontational non-confrontational““Are you thinking about suicide?”Are you thinking about suicide?”

Get Help--Do not leave him/her aloneGet Help--Do not leave him/her alone““You’re not alone. Let me help you.”You’re not alone. Let me help you.”

Suicide is a Suicide is a

PERMANENT PERMANENT

solution to solution to

TEMPORARYTEMPORARY

problems.problems.

Resources for HelpResources for Help School counselorSchool counselor Crisis telephone hot-lines:Crisis telephone hot-lines:

1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK Physicians/health care providersPhysicians/health care providers Mental health counselorMental health counselor Parents Parents Coaches, teachers, youth leadersCoaches, teachers, youth leaders

Depression, What it feels to have it – Depression, What it feels to have it – YouTubeYouTube

Kristen Jane Anderson's Interview on Kristen Jane Anderson's Interview on Oprah – YouTubeOprah – YouTube

Why- Rascal Flatts Lyrics – YouTubeWhy- Rascal Flatts Lyrics – YouTube

Matt Kennon, "The Call" - OFFICIAL Matt Kennon, "The Call" - OFFICIAL VIDEO – YouTube Just watch the VIDEO – YouTube Just watch the first part with the guy in the car….first part with the guy in the car….

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