Suicide Prevention Training for Returners A Booster Suicide Prevention Training

7 th Floor Byrnes Bldg

Today’s Goals Training on crisis response and suicide prevention Review your knowledgeReview your knowledge StatisticsStatistics Warning signsWarning signs Asking about suicideAsking about suicide Preparation to respond and referPreparation to respond and refer

Today’s Training INTERACTIVE!!! Share thoughts, feelings, and reactionsShare thoughts, feelings, and reactions Ask questionsAsk questions

The Why: Suicide Stats and Facts DefinitionsDefinitions One of the leading causes of deathOne of the leading causes of death PrevalencePrevalence Race/EthnicityRace/Ethnicity GenderGender Importance to recognize the individualImportance to recognize the individual

In the past year, USC students:In the past year, USC students: –40.3% experienced hopelessness –55.5% reported feeling very sad –25.2% felt so depressed it was difficult to function –5.7% seriously considered suicide (approx. 1,783 students) –1.2 % attempt suicide (approx. 375 students) Facts About USC Students (NCHA*) *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013

Felt so depressed that it was difficult to functionFelt so depressed that it was difficult to function *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013 *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013 Facts: Depression & USC Students* Percent (%)MaleFemaleTotal No, Never No, not last 12 months Yes, last 2 weeks Yes, last 30 days Yes, in last 12 months Any time in the last 12 months

Facts: Intentionally Self-harmed* Percent (%)MaleFemaleTotal No, Never No, not last 12 months Yes, last 2 weeks Yes, last 30 days Yes, in last 12 months Anytime within the last 12 months *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013 *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013 Intentionally cut, burned, bruised, or otherwise injured yourself:

Seriously Considered Suicide Percent (%) MaleFemaleTotal No, Never No, Not last 12 months Yes, last 2 weeks Yes, last 30 days Yes, in last 12 months Any time within the last 12 months Facts: Suicidal Thinking & USC Students* *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013

Attempted SuicideAttempted Suicide *American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment 2013 Facts: Suicide Attempts* Percent (%)MaleFemaleTotal No, Never No, not last 12 months Yes, last 2 weeks Yes, last 30 days Yes, in last 12 months Any time in the last 12 months

Discussion Myths and Facts about suicideMyths and Facts about suicide What have you experienced in the past year?What have you experienced in the past year? What questions or concerns do you have regarding responding to a suicidal person or students in crisis?What questions or concerns do you have regarding responding to a suicidal person or students in crisis?

Why do people consider suicide Life eventsLife events –Relationship problems –School problems –Friend problems –Financial problems –Alcohol/drug problems –Sexual Assault –Relationship violence –Death of loved one, illness, legal, conflict regarding sexual orientation

Why do people consider suicide EmotionsEmotions –Sad –Lonely/isolated –Hopeless –Helpless –Anxious/Agitation –Angry –Guilty

Why do people attempt suicide “Permanent Solution”“Permanent Solution” Perspective (dark?)Perspective (dark?) Pain and resources for copingPain and resources for coping Role for gatekeepersRole for gatekeepers

Review Warning SignsWarning Signs How to respond to warning signsHow to respond to warning signs ResourcesResources How to ask about suicide?How to ask about suicide? ChallengesChallenges

Warning Signs Warning Signs Definition/meaningDefinition/meaning Two Tiers: IS PATH WARMTwo Tiers: IS PATH WARM Ideation:Ideation: Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself

Warning Signs Substance Abuse: Increased alcohol or drug use Purposelessness: Expressing no reason for living or no sense of purpose in life Anxiety: Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time Trapped: Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out Hopelessness Withdrawal: Withdrawing from friends, family, and society Anger: Rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge Recklessness: Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking Mood Changes: Dramatic mood changes

Interview by Drawing

Asking Someone if They Are Thinking of Suicide How? How? Why don’t we?

Concerns What concerns do you have about asking someone directly about suicide?What concerns do you have about asking someone directly about suicide? What do you need to know to empower you to be able to do this?What do you need to know to empower you to be able to do this? Comfort and ability in respondingComfort and ability in responding

Making a Referral Emergency/Immediate AttentionEmergency/Immediate Attention –USC Campus Police or 911 –Inform supervisor and fill out BIT report Tier oneTier one –Requires a mental health evaluation CHDC during hoursCHDC during hours After hours contact supervisor on duty to contact CHDC on-call clinician or discuss if first responders are neededAfter hours contact supervisor on duty to contact CHDC on-call clinician or discuss if first responders are needed Complete BIT reportComplete BIT report

Making a Referral Tier twoTier two –Express care/concern –Ask directly about suicidal thinking –Helpful to speak to mental health professional –Acknowledge any concerns – Validate

Practice

Self Care Set boundariesSet boundaries Know your limitsKnow your limits Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating regularly, exercising, and socializingMake sure you are getting enough sleep, eating regularly, exercising, and socializing Get therapy for yourself, if neededGet therapy for yourself, if needed Use your supervisorsUse your supervisors

Losing someone to suicide can place a vulnerable individual at riskLosing someone to suicide can place a vulnerable individual at risk The community response can have a big impact in lowering this riskThe community response can have a big impact in lowering this risk –If the community responds poorly, a vulnerable individual can be a greater risk If you learn about a suicide death in the USC community, contact Jennifer Myers or Tobin Lovell If you learn about a suicide death in the USC community, contact Jennifer Myers or Tobin Lovell Postvention

 Counseling and Human Development Center  7 th Floor Byrnes Building  USC PoliceUSC Police –7-911 or Thomson Student Health CenterThomson Student Health Center – Behavioral Intervention TeamBehavioral Intervention Team – Student Disability ServicesStudent Disability ServicesStudent Disability ServicesStudent Disability Services – Student Ombudsperson Student Ombudsperson Campus Resources

National Suicide Prevention LifelineNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (TALK) – Trevor Project (GLBT Youth)Trevor Project (GLBT Youth) – Mental Health ResourcesMental Health Resources – Active Minds – To Write Love on Her Arms – Half of Us – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Additional Resources

Any Questions or Comments?Any Questions or Comments? The evaluation form will be ed to youThe evaluation form will be ed to you “Like” Suicide Prevention Facebook“Like” Suicide Prevention Facebook – – Thank you!