Suicide/Depression

ACTAcknowledge the signs of a suicide

Respond with CareTell a responsible/trustworthy adult

Acknowledge the signs of a suicide Don’t hesitate to raise the subject. Talking about it will not put the idea in

someone’s head Be direct in a caring, non-confrontational

way “Are you thinking suicide?” “Do you really want to die?” “Do you have a plan?” “Do you have the means to carry out the

plan?”

Respond with Care Often, suicidal thinking comes from a wish

to end deep psychological pain and death seems like the only way out.

Let the person know you care Talk about your feelings and ask about

his/hers Listen carefully

“I am worried about you, about how you feel.” “You mean a lot to me. I want to help.” “I am here if you need someone to talk to.”

Tell a responsible/trustworthy adult

Never keep the suicide a secret! It is better to risk a friendship than a life. Do NOT try to handle the situation on your own. You can be the most help by referring your friend to

someone with professional skills – but you can continue to offer support!

Say things like: “I know where we can go and get some help.” “Let’s go and talk to someone who can help…let’s call a crisis

line.” “I can go with you to get some help. You are not alone.”

What is NOT Helpful Ignoring or dismissing the issue

“Oh, let’s talk about something else.” Acting shocked or embarrassed

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

“So go ahead; see if things really DO get better!” “Don’t you know that it is wrong to kill yourself?”

Giving harmful advice “Let’s go and get drunk and forget about all of our

problems”

What IS Helpful Show you care – Listen carefully!

“I’m concerned about you…how do you feel?” Ask the question – Be direct (but caring &

non-confrontational) “Are you thinking about suicide?”

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

Facts or Myths about Suicide True or False: One out of every ten youth

attempts suicide

True or False: One out of five youth seriously considers suicide

True or False: Talking about suicide will “cause” someone to actually do it

Facts A person commits suicide

every 15 minutes A suicide attempt is made

every minute! Over 32,000 people in the

U.S. kill themselves each year

5.2% of high school students have made suicide attempts

17.2% of high school students have had thoughts

On an average day, 84 people die from suicide

On an average day, 1,900 people attempt

Over 60% who commit suicide suffer from depression

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in 10-14 year olds

Myths about SuicideMYTH:

“People who talk about killing

themselves need attention and would never

actually commit suicide.”

FACT:Most people who commit

suicide have given some kind of verbal clue or warning.

Some studies show that as many as 2/3 of successful suicides

share their intentions before doing it.

Myths about SuicideMYTH:

“Suicidal people are mentally ill-

only crazy people commit

suicide”

FACT:It is true that suicide is

associated with depression, alcoholism

and schizophrenia; but, most people who commit suicide could not be diagnosed as

mentally ill. Only about 25% are

actually psychotic.

Myths about SuicideMYTH:

“The majority of suicides are

among minority groups and are from the lower socio-economic

class”

FACT:Suicide crosses all socio-

economic classes. There is some

evidence that middle-class people have lower rates than

upper-class. Whites have suicides rates

from 50-100% higher than African-

Americans and Hispanics.

Myths about SuicideMYTH:

“Suicide rates are highest around Thanksgiving

and Christmas.”

FACT:Suicide rates are

actually lowest in the winter months and the highest in the Spring

months.

Myths about SuicideMYTH:

“Improvement following a

suicidal crisis means the risk for a suicide is

over.”

FACT:Signs of improvement

must be interpreted cautiously in patients. In severely depressed patients, the lifting of depression many give the patient energy to

act and it may represent the relief in

finally making the decision to end one’s

life.

0

5

10

15

20

25

Suicide, by GenderAge adjusted rate per 100,000

Females

Males

Average

0

Note: Data are age adjusted to the 2000 standard population.Source: National Vital Statistics System - Mortality, NCHS, CDC.

2010 Target

1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001

Leading Means of Suicide Among Males, 2001

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

10-14 15-19 20-64 65+

Pe

rce

nt

of

all s

uic

ide

s b

y a

ge

Firearm Suffocation Poisoning Other

Source: National Vital Statistics System - Mortality, NCHS, CDC.

Leading Means of Suicide Among Females, 2001

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

10-14 15-19 20-64 65+

Pe

rce

nt

of

all

su

icid

es

by

ag

e

Firearm Suffocation Poisoning Fall-jump Drowning Cut/pierce

Source: National Vital Statistics System - Mortality, NCHS, CDC.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Suicide, by Race and EthnicityAge adjusted rate per 100,000

White

0

Source: National Vital Statistics System - Mortality, NCHS, CDC.

2010 Target

1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001

American IndianHispanic

Black

Asian

NOTE: American Indian includes Alaska Native; Asian includes Pacific Islander; Black and White exclude persons of Hispanic origin. Persons of Hispanic origin may be any race. Data are age adjusted to the 2000 standard population.

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

Obj. 18.1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Suicide Among ages 15-17, 2001Death rate per 100,000

0

NOTE: American Indian includes Alaska Native; Asian includes Pacific Islander; Black and White exclude persons of Hispanic origin. Persons of Hispanic origin may be any race. Data are age adjusted to the 2000 standard population.Source: National Vital Statistics System - Mortality, NCHS, CDC.

2010 Target

AverageAmeric

an

IndianAsian

HispanicBlack

White Females Males

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

Suicide Attempts by Students in Grades 9-12, by GenderPercent

Females

Males

Average

0

SOURCE: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), NCCDPHP, CDC.

2010 Target

1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001

Obj. 18.2

Warning Signs – Behavioral (Actions) Suicide-Risk Behaviors Increased risk taking Cutting or other self-mutilating behavior Withdrawal from usual activities Personality changes Verbal threats/warnings

I wonder what heaven is like? Things will be better soon I wonder what things would be like without me I want to sleep and never wake up

Making final arrangements Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, school, etc. Writing notes or poems about death/suicide Lower grades Change in eating habits – increase or decrease Change in sleeping habits – increase or decrease

Warning Signs –Emotional (Feelings) Feelings of worthlessness Loss of self-esteem Feeling of inappropriate guilt Persistent sad or irritable mood/anger Suddenly happy after a long depression

Warning Signs – Cognitive (Thoughts) Wanting to escape a bad or intolerable

situation Decreased concentration

Warning Signs – Physical (Body) Physical ailments

Stomach aches Headache

Resources School counselor Crisis telephone hot-line Teachers Parents Hospital emergency room staff Call 911