Part 1 Suicide Prevention Give out activity worksheet #1 and have the students circle their answers at this time. Give them a few minutes to complete this assignment.

“A Promise for Tomorrow” In 1999, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, declared suicide as a “National Health Problem”… especially within the youth and elderly populations. Detailed information for this slide is on Page 8 of the Teacher Manual.

Let’s see what you already know about the problem of Youth Suicide. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Let’s see what you already know about the problem of Youth Suicide. Give out activity worksheet #1 and have the students circle their answers at this time. Give them a few minutes to complete this assignment.

Questions True or False Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 10, for answers and discussion points.

Question 1 Suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 10, for answers and discussion points.

Answer TRUE The first leading cause of death for young people, ages 10-24, is accidents (accidents of all kinds - car accident, fall, accidental overdose, etc.). Homicides are second.

How many young people do we lose, each year, to suicide? In the United States How many young people do we lose, each year, to suicide? Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 10, for answers and discussion points.

We will lose approximately 5,000 young people to suicide each year. It is estimated that We will lose approximately 5,000 young people to suicide each year. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 10, for answers and discussion points.

Each week, We lose approximately 100 young people to the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 10, for answers and discussion points.

People who talk about or threaten suicide rarely die by suicide. Question 2 People who talk about or threaten suicide rarely die by suicide. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 11, for answers and discussion points.

Answer FALSE Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 11, for answers and discussion points.

Approximately one young person dies by suicide every 2 hours. Question 3 Approximately one young person dies by suicide every 2 hours. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 11, for answers and discussion points.

Answer TRUE Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 11, for answers and discussion points.

Question 4 Talking to someone about suicidal feelings may cause them to attempt suicide. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 11, for answers and discussion points.

Answer FALSE Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 11, for answers and discussion points.

Suicide is Preventable. Question 5 Suicide is Preventable. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 12, for answers and discussion points.

Answer TRUE Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 12, for answers and discussion points.

Question 6 People who are contemplating suicide almost always tell someone beforehand. Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 12, for answers and discussion points.

Answer TRUE Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 12, for answers and discussion points.

Why didn’t that person say anything about what they had been told? In fact, In almost 70% of all suicides the person told someone their intentions at least ONE hour before. Why didn’t that person say anything about what they had been told? Refer to Teacher Manual, Page 12, for answers and discussion points.

Counselor Information Mrs. Montfort and Mrs. Cutrer, by law, have to call parents ANYTIME a student speaks of self-harm….even if you are playing around. Please do not joke about harming yourself. Self-harm includes talk of suicide, cutting, etc. Detailed information for this slide is on Page 8 of the Teacher Manual.

Counselor Information Con’t. Teachers and/or students MUST immediately let us know of any self-harm talk, even if it is said in a joking manner. If teachers and/or students notice any cut marks on students, we must be made aware immediately. Detailed information for this slide is on Page 8 of the Teacher Manual.

Counselor Information Con’t. If we are not at school and you know a friend is threatening suicide, call 911, tell your parent, call their parent or call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-SUICIDE. This could save your friend’s life. Detailed information for this slide is on Page 8 of the Teacher Manual.