LIFELINES When is a Friend in Trouble? Suicide Prevention Unit: Day 1

will have killed themselves. By this time tomorrow… 12 young people between 15 - 24 the ages of will have killed themselves.

A young person dies by about every 2 hours. SUICIDE

How many people have heard about someone in our school or community who has made an attempt at suicide? How many of you have heard of someone who has died of suicide? How many of you have personally known someone who has made a suicide attempt or died of suicide?

TRUE OR FALSE

FALSE People who talk about suicide do not actually kill themselves. Most people who die by suicide talk to at least one other person about their suicidal feelings or plans before they decide to act on them. It is EXTREMELY important to take these communications seriously! FALSE

TRUE Suicide happens equally as often among rich, middle class & poor. Suicidal teens come from all types of families: Rich, poor, popular as well as people of all races, genders, faiths and cultures. TRUE

Males die by suicide more often than females. Men die more frequently than women, however women make more attempts. Women use methods that are less lethal and give the person time to be rescued or change their minds. TRUE

FALSE Once a person is suicidal, They are suicidal forever. People can be helped. With help from a professional, the vast majority of people with suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts do not go on to kill themselves. FALSE

FALSE If a person feels better after a suicide attempt, it means they will likely not try to do it again. FALSE If the attempt brings attention, the person may feel better for a little while, but unless changes are made in a persons life, they are at risk for another attempt.+-

Suicidal people really want to die. Sometimes this may be true… but most times, suicidal people want to escape the terrible way they are feeling. Suicidal people are emotionally mixed-up at the time and most are grateful for intervention. FALSE

FALSE Talking about suicide or asking someone about suicide may put the idea of suicide in a person’s head and cause suicide. Actually, the opposite is often true. Asking directly about suicide can help people who feel like there is no one to talk to. Sharing these thoughts can lead to LESS attempts of suicide. FALSE

FALSE People who threaten to kill themselves are just seeking attention. You can never dismiss the threat of suicide. If someone is that desperate for attention, suicide can never be ruled out as a possibility, even if just for the attention. FALSE

Suicide happens without warning signs. Most people give clues that they are thinking about taking their lives. Usually a person shows more than one sign. Only a small percentage of people show no warning signs. FALSE

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE T S Feelings Actions Changes Threats Situations

F E E L I N G S F Hopelessness – feeling like things are bad and won’t get better. Fear of losing control, going crazy, harming oneself or others. Helplessness – a belief that there’s nothing that can make life better. Worthlessness – feeling useless or of no value. Self-Hate, guilt or shame Extreme sadness or loneliness Anxiety or worry Feelings

A A C T I O N S Actions Drug or alcohol abuse. Talking or writing about death or destruction. Aggression Recklessness Actions

C H A N G E S C Personality – behaving like a different person, becoming withdrawn, feeling tired all the time, not caring about anything or becoming more talkative or outgoing. Behavior – inability to concentrate. Sleeping pattern – sleeping all the time or not being about to sleep. Eating habits – loss of appetite and/or overeating. Losing interest in friends, hobbies or personal appearance. Sudden improvement after a period of being down or withdrawn. Changes

T H R E A T S T Statements like “How long does it take to bleed to death?” Threats like “I won’t be around much longer” or “You’d be better off without me. Making plans, such as studying about ways to die or obtaining the means to self- inflict injury or death. Suicide attempts. Threats

S S I T U A T I O N S Situations Getting in trouble at school, at home or with the law. Recent losses Changes in life that feel overwhelming. Being exposed Being exposed to suicide or the death of a peer under any circumstances. Situations

How can you help a friend in need? Follow these three steps: Find the words to show you care about your friend. Ask about suicide. Convince your friend to ask for help.