Kirsten ipock Partnership 4 kids December 2017 Teen suicide Kirsten ipock Partnership 4 kids December 2017

Suicidal people are fully intent on dying? Myth or fact? Suicidal people are fully intent on dying?

myth Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying, which is called “suicidal ambivalence.” A part of them wants to live; however, death seems like the only way out of their pain and suffering. They may allow themselves to "gamble with death," leaving it up to others to save them.

Myth or fact? The highest suicide rates are immediately after a hospitalization for a suicide attempt.

Fact Most suicides occur within days or weeks of "improvement," when the individual has the energy and motivation to actually follow through with his/her suicidal thoughts. Therefore, improvement following a suicide attempt or crisis does NOT means that the risk is over.

Kids do not have to be depressed to attempt suicide. Myth or fact? Kids do not have to be depressed to attempt suicide.

FACT Kids don’t have to be clinically depressed to have suicidal feelings or to attempt suicide. Even feeling extremely “bummed out” for a relatively short period of time can lead to impulsive suicide attempts. Nevertheless, a person who is clinically depressed for longer periods of time is at higher risk for attempting suicide.

Statistics 2nd leading cause of death for people age 5-24 More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 3,470 attempts by young people grades 9- 12 Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs Girls think about and attempt suicide twice as often as boys, typically by cutting or overdosing Boys complete suicide 4x more than girls, tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights

Suicide risk factors recent or serious loss (family, friend, pet) (divorce, break up, loss of job or home) Mood disorder such as bipolar, depression Prior suicide attempts Participating in high risk activities, alcohol or substance abuse problems LGBTQIA+ (trans and queer spectrum) Family history of suicide, abuse or neglect Bullying and lack of social support Access to lethal means

Self harm vs. Suicidal ideation Self-harm is thought to be directly linked with suicide but this is not usually the case Unfortunately the two often get grouped together because both are inflictions of pain and sometimes people who begin with self-harm may later die by suicide  Generally people who self-harm do not wish to kill themselves; whereas suicide is a way of ending life.  One significant difference between suicide and self-harm is intent

Self harm vs. Suicidal ideation continued Many people who self-harm for the following reasons: To escape their feelings To cope with life stressors To express their pain To punish themselves (Some people mutilate their bodies to punish themselves for what's going on in their lives. They lack the appropriate coping skills and suffer from low self-esteem so they feel that they deserve what they are doing to themselves.) To feel euphoria. (It's true. When we get hurt endorphins are released into the blood stream, resulting in a "natural high" or a feeling of euphoria. Self-harming behaviors can be addictive and habit forming.)

Signs Talk; If a person talks about: Killing themselves, having no reason to live, Being a burden to others, Feeling trapped, Unbearable pain Mood: Depression, Loss of interest, Rage, Irritability, Humiliation, Anxiety Behavior: A person’s suicide risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, especially if it’s related to a painful event, loss, or change. Increased use of alcohol or drugs, Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means, Acting recklessly, Withdrawing from activities, Isolating from family and friends, Sleeping too much or too little, Visiting or calling people to say goodbye, Giving away prized possessions, Aggression

IS PATH WARM I= Ideation (Does the client express active suicidal ideation or have they written about their suicide or death? Does the client report the desire to kill oneself?) S= Substance Abuse (Does the client excessively use alcohol or other drugs, or begun using alcohol or other drugs?) P= Purposeless (Does the client voice a lack or loss of purpose in life? Do they see little or no sense or reason for continued living?) A= Anger (Uncontrolled rage or seeking revenge) T= Trapped (Feeling like no way out) H= Hopelessness (Negative sense of self, others, and future? Does the future appear hopeless with little chance for positive change?) W= Withdrawal (Disconnection w/family, friends, society) A= Anxiety, Agitation/Insomnia (Does the client feel anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep? Does the client report an inability to relax? Just as important, does the client report sleeping all the time?) R= Recklessness (Risky acts, impulsive) M= Mood changes (Dramatic shifts)

What we know Suicidality = Response to seen and unseen pain There is no typical suicide completer There are no absolute reasons for suicide There are no all-inclusive, predictive lists of warning signs Suicide is always multi-dimensional Preventing suicide must involve many approaches Most people do not want to die The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior Substance abuse makes everything worse Pay attention to risk factors and warning signs! Most suicide attempts are expression of extreme distress, not harmless bids for attention. A person who appears suicidal should not be left alone and needs immediate mental-health treatment.

What you can say You are not alone in this. I’m here for you. I understand you have a real diagnosis and that’s what causes these thoughts and feelings. I may not understand exactly how you feel, but I care and want to help You are important to me. Your life is important to me. Tell me what I can do now to help you. I am here for you. We will get through this together.

What not to say It’s all in your head. We all go through times like this. Buck-up! You’ll be fine. Stop worrying. Look on the bright side… Just snap out of it. Stop acting crazy. What’s wrong with you? Shouldn’t you be better by now? You have so much to live for, why would you want to die?

What you need know Completed not committed!!!! Committed is related to crime Suicide ideation is common! Many teens and adults think about dying, but this is not serious until they begin thinking of HOW they want to complete suicide If you think the client is in immediate danger or too unsafe to return to home/school/etc. is it your ethical responsibility to report this to the client’s parents/guardians and recommend hospitalization If guardians refuse, this is a DHS report (neglect of care) If unsure, consult! Remember, confidentiality goes out the window if the client is threatening to harm self or others If client is suicidal but not in immediate danger, develop a safety plan, create supports, follow- up, and… document!

Resources for us and our kids Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 HOPE 4 IOWA Crisis Call Line: 844-673-4469 Trevor Project – Suicide Hotline for Trans/Queer Spectrum Youth: 1-866-488-7386 http://teenshealth.org/teen/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration: www.samhsa.gov American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.asfp.org