SUICIDE PREVENTION PREVENTING A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM

Suicide #2 killer of teens in Wisconsin and nationally. #2 killer of teens in Wisconsin and nationally.

Is suicide very common? From (8 yrs.) Number deaths Car Accidents 952 Homicide264 All Cancers 171 Drowning75 Asthma19 Fire/Smoke Inhalation 16

Goals of the Unit 1. Many of these could have been prevented if people understood myths regarding suicide. One of those myths is that people shouldn’t talk about it.

Goals of the Unit 2. Many of these could be prevented if people knew the warning signs of suicide and acted upon them.

Goals of the Unit 3. Many of these could be prevented if people knew how to help or knew when to ask for help.

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression Results taken from Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey 1. During the past 12 months, ____% of Wisconsin high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing usual activities. 28%

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression 2. During the past twelve months, ____% of Wisconsin high students seriously considered attempting suicide. 18%

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression 3. During the past twelve months, ____% of Wisconsin high school girls seriously considered attempting suicide. 22% (Males- 14%)

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression 4. During the past twelve months, ____% of Wisconsin high students reported making a plan to attempt suicide. 15%

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression 5. ____% of students who report actually attempting suicide. 9%

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression 6. Where does Wisconsin rate nationally in youth suicide?_____ 8 th Minnesota is 19 th, Illinois is 41 st. What factors do we share with these states? What factors do we have that differ?

Wisconsin DPI Pretest on Suicide/Depression Did you underestimate the severity of Suicide among teens in Wisconsin?

Other important Facts & Statistics regarding Suicide There are 3 female suicide attempts for 1 male attempt. (CDC) There are 3 female suicide attempts for 1 male attempt. (CDC) There are 4 male suicides for 1 female suicide (CDC) There are 4 male suicides for 1 female suicide (CDC) The strongest risk factor is DEPRESSION The strongest risk factor is DEPRESSION

15 What else do we need to know? Suicide doesn’t just happen out of the blue - 90% had treatable mental illnesses or drug/alcohol problems. Suicide doesn’t just happen out of the blue - 90% had treatable mental illnesses or drug/alcohol problems. Usually an impulsive reaction to “crisis” after long consideration of suicide Usually an impulsive reaction to “crisis” after long consideration of suicide Firearms used in more than half of youth suicides in WI. Safe storage is critical. Firearms used in more than half of youth suicides in WI. Safe storage is critical.

Many of these could have been prevented! Many who attempt suicide never seek professional help. Many who attempt suicide never seek professional help. 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully. 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully. Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention. Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention. Suicide is best prevented through education and public awareness. Suicide is best prevented through education and public awareness.

Understand Suicide Myths Myth: It is a myth that people who talk about it don’t do it. Fact: People who do talk about it do attempt suicide. 4 of 5 people who attempt suicide give warning signs.

Understand Suicide Myths Myth: Talking to a depressed or suicidal person about suicide is a bad idea and might make them do it. Fact: Talking to a person who may be suicidal will not give them any ideas they have not already had or make them any more likely to do it.

Understand Suicide Myths Myth: They won’t tell the truth when asked. Fact: Many will be honest about it and even if they are not, you are showing them care and concern that may be enough for them to not carry out a suicide plan.

Understand Suicide Myths Myth: People who attempt suicide and don’t complete it are just looking for attention. Fact: Any attempt at suicide is a sign of deep inner disturbance. Most suicides have already had previous attempts.

Understand Suicide Myths Myth: When a suicidal person’s feelings of depression have seemed to have lifted and their spirits have improved, then they are out of danger. Fact: It may simply mean that they have come to a decision and that they may have found what they think is inner peace. Once the depression has ended, they now have the energy to carry out the suicide plan.

Understand Suicide Myths Myth: If a person has decided to complete suicide, there is nothing you can do to help them. Fact: Teenagers who survive their current crisis and who work through their problems are likely never to seriously consider suicide again and go on to live healthy, happy lives.

Temporary Problem Teenagers often feel that now is forever, that they will always feel as they do at the moment……But it is important to remember that depression and feelings of hopelessness will pass …if they can just wait out the immediate feelings of pain, you can change that pain, especially with help.

“Students who report being bullied, as well as those who admit to bullying others, have been found to have significantly higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors than students who do not report experiences with bullying.” AFSP 2009, SPRC

25 Risk Factors Research has found that about 90% of individuals who die by suicide experience mental illness. A number of other things may put a person at risk of suicide, including: A family history of suicide. A family history of suicide. Substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol can result in mental highs and lows that exacerbate suicidal thoughts. Substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol can result in mental highs and lows that exacerbate suicidal thoughts. Intoxication. More than one in three people who die from suicide are found to be currently under the influence. Intoxication. More than one in three people who die from suicide are found to be currently under the influence.

26 Risk Factors cont. A serious or chronic medical illness. A serious or chronic medical illness. Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide. Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide. A history of trauma or abuse. A history of trauma or abuse. Prolonged stress. Prolonged stress. Isolation. Isolation. Age. People under age 24 or above age 65 are at a higher risk for suicide. Age. People under age 24 or above age 65 are at a higher risk for suicide. A recent tragedy or loss. A recent tragedy or loss. Sleep deprivation Sleep deprivation

27 Early Warning Signs Look for changes over time, including: Spending more time alone (girls—isolated) Spending more time alone (girls—isolated) Major/frequent mood swings (boys—angry) Major/frequent mood swings (boys—angry) Statements of hopelessness Statements of hopelessness Personality changes Personality changes Become accident prone Become accident prone Difficulty concentrating Difficulty concentrating Decline in quality of school work Decline in quality of school work Change in eating or sleeping habits Change in eating or sleeping habits Thrill seeking activities Thrill seeking activities Physical symptoms related to emotions Physical symptoms related to emotions

28 Late Warning Signs Talking about suicide Talking about suicide Impulsive violent or rebellious actions Impulsive violent or rebellious actions Increased drug and alcohol use Increased drug and alcohol use Refusing help, won’t accept praise Refusing help, won’t accept praise Being cheerful after a period of depression Being cheerful after a period of depression Giving away favorite possessions Giving away favorite possessions Funeral Fantasies Funeral Fantasies Making a last will & testament or letter expressing these concepts and/or financial preparations Making a last will & testament or letter expressing these concepts and/or financial preparations

29 ACT NOW! ACT Now if you see the following: If you see any late warning signs, you should act immediately. If you see any late warning signs, you should act immediately.

30 ACT NOW! A is for “Acknowledge” signs and symptoms, don’t minimize their feelings C is for showing “Care and Concern” for the person who is at-risk T is for “Tell” a trusted adult who knows how to respond, including pupil services, heath educators, or administrators in your school

Suicide Intervention Skills What To Do: Listen and be supportive in a non-judgmental way Listen and be supportive in a non-judgmental way Express your feelings for them. Express your feelings for them. Encourage the person to seek help from someone they trust, and/or a professional. Encourage the person to seek help from someone they trust, and/or a professional.

What NOT To DO: Dismiss the suicide threats or be shocked at what the person tells you. Dismiss the suicide threats or be shocked at what the person tells you. Judge whether suicide is right or wrong. This may make the person feel more guilt. Judge whether suicide is right or wrong. This may make the person feel more guilt. Go into to the details. Go into to the details. Do not be sworn to secrecy. Do not be sworn to secrecy.

What NOT To DO: Do not counsel the person or try to solve their problems. Do not counsel the person or try to solve their problems. Do not leave the person if you believe the risk for suicide is immediate. Do not leave the person if you believe the risk for suicide is immediate.

Suicide Self Prevention Skills Always share honestly your concerns and feelings with loved ones Always share honestly your concerns and feelings with loved ones Positive self thought can be learned. Positive self thought can be learned. Resiliency Resiliency Optimism Optimism Self-esteem Self-esteem

35 Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Let’s stop suicide by: Understanding the myths of suicide Understanding the myths of suicide Detecting the warning signs of suicide Detecting the warning signs of suicide Help someone (or yourself) who exhibits the warning signs of suicide Help someone (or yourself) who exhibits the warning signs of suicide