Suicide Prevention

Shadle Park HS, April 2, 2015

Dr. Dave Crump, Director SPSChris Moore, Coordinator, SPSSabrina Votova, Coordinator, Youth Suicide Prevention Program

Today’s agenda

• Signs and Symptoms• Contagion and Glamorization• Communication• Community Resources• Questions & Answers

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Depression among adolescents is extremely rare, and the symptoms are so dramatic that it is obvious when depression affects a teen.

MYTH

Depression is actually relatively common among youth. Symptoms may be subtle, confusing, or hard to distinguish from normal adolescent behavior.

Myth or Fact?

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Normal adolescent behavior

• Testing rules and limits

• Touchy if asked too many questions

• Moody at times

• Easily embarrassed

• Amplified emotions and reactions

• Moving away from family – peer-oriented and motivated by peers' approval

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Signs and Symptoms of Suicide

• Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs• Changing normal routine, such as eating and

sleeping patterns

• Preoccupied with death, dying or violence

• Feeling trapped and hopeless

• Engaging in risky and/or self-destructive behavior

• Giving away personal belongings© YSPP

Signs and Symptoms of Suicide

• Lack of or difficulty concentrating

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Impulsivity

• Hyperactivity

• Talking or joking about suicide

• Mood swings

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Signs and Symptoms of Suicide

• Developing personality changes, such as becoming very shy or outgoing

• Talking positively about death or romanticizing dying (“If I were dead, people might love me more.”)

• Saying things like, “I’d be better off dead”, “I wish I could disappear forever”, or “There’s no way out.”

• Writing stories or poetry about death, dying or suicide

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Depression

• Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts

• It effects the way a person eats, sleeps, thinks, and the way one feels about oneself, others and life

• It engulfs your day to day life, interfering with one’s ability to work, study, eat and have fun

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Youth depression: Facts

• One in every 8 adolescents may have depression. Major depression is more common in higher-risk groups.

• The majority of children and adolescents with depression do not get help they need.

• Depression is a treatable illness that is not the person’s fault.

• Treatment for depression includes counseling, sometimes with medication.

• Irritability

• Persistent anxiety and/or feelings of sadness

• A drop in school performance

• Problems with authority

• Indecision, lack of concentration

• Poor self-esteem

• Overreaction to criticism

• Frequent physical complaints

Signs of youth depression

© YSPP

• Helplessness, hopelessness, sadness

• Loss of interest in activities

• Appetite or weight change

• Sleep changes

• Loss of energy

• Easily loses temper

• Anger or hostility

• Self-loathing

• Tearful, frequent crying

• Withdrawal from loved ones

Signs of youth depression

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• Problems at school

• Running away

• Drug and alcohol abuse

• Fixation on suicide

• Talking about death

• Giving away prized/special possessions

Signs of youth depression

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When your depressed student begins to feel better.

A time for caution

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It’s more than just a bad day.

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• This is second only to depression as a risk factor!

• Often goes hand in hand with mental disorders

• More than 3 times more likely to consider, plan or attempt suicide

• Among substance abusers, 11% had serious thoughts of suicide

Substance Abuse and Suicide

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There are gender differences in youth suicide risk.

FACT

While girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys are, boys often choose more dangerous methods and are more likely to die from suicide.

Myth or Fact?

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Signs of suicidal thinking: The FACTS

Feelings• Sad, lonely, hopeless, in pain, moody, irritable, increased depression

Actions• Pushing away friends and family, giving away important possessions, using alcohol/drugs, making unsafe decisions, looking at suicide plans, making art or writing about death, saying goodbye

•Changes Changes in school performance, appearance or hygiene,

personality or attitude

ThreatsSaying they’re going to kill themselves, saying goodbye

Situations• A recent crisis or trigger situation

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Youth who talk about suicide aren't the ones who are serious about it; they are just trying to get attention.

MYTH80% of youth who attempt suicide have talked

about it or shown warning signs. These are other, more serious signs that a youth might be considering suicide:  

• Talking about suicide, wishing they were dead or wanting to die

• Talking about suicide plan

Myth or Fact?

© YSPP

How do you support your child or loved one?

You must first understand what people (including yourself) may

be feeling

Feelings after a tragedy

• Shock • Disbelief• Numb• Scared• Sad• Angry• Helpless• Guilt• Relief

Physical stress responses to a tragedy

• Trembling or shaking• Dizziness• Pounding heart• Rapid breathing • Racing thoughts• Lump in throat; feeling choked

up• Stomach tightening or churning

The Unknowing

The difficult part is not knowing what the person is feeling and experiencing…

Thinking of You

• It is natural to feel nervous or even afraid of facing another person's painful feelings.

• It is important not to let these feelings prevent you from doing what you can to help someone who is struggling.

• The most important thing to do is simply to be there and listen and show you care.

What is Suicide Contagion and Glamorization?

Contagion Suicide

Grief

+

Over-identification

+

Fixation

___________________

An increase in suicidal behavior among vulnerable people who have been exposed to suicide

Risk Factors for Contagion Suicide

1. A triggering event ~ a suicide +

2. Media coverage AND social media

3. Close friends and “close friends”

4. Vulnerable groups of students

Glamorization

• News

• Media

• Social Media

Glamorization

• Memorials

• Yearbooks

What is a Suicide Pact

An agreement between two or more people to commit suicide together.

Dynamics of a Suicide Pact

• Feelings of severe, emotional problems; hopeless and helpless

• Support each other in living• Engage in mutual activities• Openly discuss feelings• Idea of suicide becomes easier• Efforts to support each other fall short• Efforts to get help from others fail• Lose hope

Ultimate Tragedy

These once supportive individuals encourage each other in suicidal behavior.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest

compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the

potential to turn a life around.”  

-Dr. Leo Buscaglia, Author and Motivational Speaker

Communicating

• Verbal Communication• Non-Verbal Communication

Listen

• Without judgment• Take what they say seriously• Do not be afraid to ask the question,

“Are you thinking of committing suicide?”

What Not to Say

• “I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.”• “Don’t feel ________.” (sad, angry,

guilty)• “It will be better tomorrow.”• “Don’t cry.”• “At least you’re not hurt.”• “She’s in a better place.”• “We are all upset.”• “He’s out of his pain.”• “It could be worse.”• “You have to stay strong for your kids.”

Emotions Are Rarely Simple

Don't be distressed by differences in the your child responds. It may be different from yours!

One person may react very calmly.

Another may express strong feelings.

One person may have an immediate emotional response.

Another may be "numb" at first and respond emotionally later.

NON VERBAL – BODY LANGUAGE

Scientists say that body language accounts for 80% of the message we try to tell others and that what we actually

say is only 20%.

How do you support your child or loved one?

• Be understanding• Encourage physical activity• Encourage social activity• Learn more about depression• Get in treatment / Stay involved in

treatment• Consider medication

Consult, consult, consult!

Do not be afraid to ask for help.

You are not alone.

Community Resources: Crisis or Help Numbers

First Call for Help (FBH)

509-838-4428

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

The Trevor Project

1-866-488-7386

Crisis Text Line

741-741

Children’s Home Society

509-747-4174

Community Resources: Training

QPR Institute

ASIST

Networks for Life from YSPP

Community Resources: Websites

www.smilelifework.org

www.nowmattersnow.org

www.srhd.org (healthy communities, suicide prevention)

www.yspp.org

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org