Texas HB 1386

Adolescence is a period of significant change, during which youth are faced with a myriad of pressures; the pressures facing youth during adolescence include pressures relating to adapting to bodily changes, succeeding academically, making college and career decisions, being accepted by peers, including pressure to engage in drugs, alcohol, and sex, measuring up to expectations of others, and coping with family and peer conflicts; increased levels of victimization also lead to increased levels of depression and anxiety and decreased levels of self-esteem; emotional trauma and mental health issues, if left unaddressed, can lead and have led to life- threatening violence and suicide; suicide committed by youth continues to present a public health threat that endangers the well-being of the youth of the state

 su·i·cide [soo-uh-sahyd]  Noun the intentional taking of one's own life.  Verb to kill (oneself).  Source:

 How many of you have heard of someone committing suicide?  Why do people choose to take their life?  Depression  Feelings of Hopelessness & Anxiety  Feelings of being “Trapped” in a Life the One can’t Handle  Believe Suicide is the Only Way to Solve Their Problems  Feel the Pressures of Life are too Much to Cope With

 Divorce of Parents  Violence in the Home  Inability to Find Success at School  Feelings of Worthlessness  Rejection by Friends or Peers  Substance Abuse  Death of Someone Close  Suicide of a Friend or Someone He/She “Knows” On-Line

 More than 4,600 teenagers die by suicide each year in the US  More than 157,000 teens are treated in emergency rooms each year for self-inflicted injuries  Between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012)

 Drop in School Performance  Fixation with Death or Violence  Unhealthy Peer Relationships  Violent Mood Swings/Sudden Change in Personality  Indications of Abuse  Signs of an Eating Disorder  Difficulty Adjusting to Gender Identity  Bullying  Depression

 Talking about wanting to die or killing oneself  Talking about feeling hopeless/trapped/being a burden to others  Giving one’s possessions away  Looking for a way to kill oneself  Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs  Withdrawing from friends/feeling isolated  Talking about seeking revenge YggSTTo&feature=player_embedded 2hdQ9ok

 LIFE Model  L isten to your friends when they need to talk about problems or thoughts of suicide  I nsist that they be honest with you  F eelings, share them with eachother  E xtend a helping hand and go with them to get a responsible adult involved to help  NEVER KEEP A FRIEND’S SUICIDAL THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF!

 Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide   You Matter   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 