Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Gatekeeper Training Brenda Jennings Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Revised April

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Participants will: Know reasons for school staff to prevent suicide Know the warning signs Know how to help students who show warning signs 2

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Use: “Completed suicide” “Died by suicide” “Took his/her own life” “Died of suicide” Avoid: “Successful suicide attempt” “Committed suicide” it is not illegal 3

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training 1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Wisconsin youth One suicide is too many, a life lost forever 4 DHS WISH, Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12) 2011 WI YRBS

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Suicide affects the entire school- community, interrupts learning Suicide is a long term solution to a short term problem Most suicides can be prevented 5

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death for ages DHS WISH 2010 Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death for ages DHS WISH, Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)

8 Suicide Rate per 100,000 Youth (age 0-19) WisconsinUS

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training 418 Males, 97 Females (greater than a 4:1 ratio) Firearms consists of about half of the deaths (238) Suffocation (hanging) resulted in 213 deaths Other methods include poisoning, falls, drowning, vehicles DHS WISH Injury Mortality (age 5-19)(accessed 03/12) 9

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training “Students who report being bullied, as well as those who admit to bullying others, have been found to have significantly higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors than students who do not report experiences with bullying.” AFSP 2009, SPRC

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Withdraws from friends, family, others Talks about hurting self Feels lasting sadness, feels depression Has a hard time concentrating Feels anxious School work gets worse Increased alcohol or drug use One suicide is too many  Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute  Updated

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Change in eating habits – more or less Change in sleep patterns – more or less Loss of interest in favorite activities Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, body aches (stomachaches, headaches, fatigue) MOST SuicideS can be prevented  Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute  Roberts, et. al, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2001; 30:  Updated SPRC

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge Acting reckless Feeling trapped, like there is no way out Feeling hopeless No sense of purpose in life Suicide affects the entire school- community  Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute  Goldstein, et. al, J Consulting Clinical Psychiatry, 2008 Feb; 76(1):  Updated SPRC

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Being intolerant of praise or rewards Suddenly cheerful after a period of depression Giving away favorite possessions Making a last will & testament 1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression  Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute  Updated

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Talks about hurting self Looks for ways to kill self Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide  SAMHSA 1/11 15

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Don’t shame: “You’re too sensitive. Grow up!” Don’t delay: Get help right away, don’t wait. Don’t blame: “If you wanted a better grade, you would have worked harder.” 16

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Don’t give up: Suicide is NOT a destiny Don’t do it alone: Consult with principal or student services Don’t leave the student alone 17

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training A is for “Acknowledge” signs and symptoms, don’t minimize their feelings C is for showing “Care and Concern” for the person who is at-risk T is for “Tell” a trusted adult who knows how to respond, including pupil services, heath educators, or administrators in your school 18 A C T  Acknowledge  Care, Concern  Tell

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training “That sounds really tough, I’m sorry to hear it.” “You have some major challenges on your plate.” Don’t minimize their feelings by saying:  “You’ll get over it.”  “Time heals all wounds.”  “Stop worrying about it.” 19 A C T ► Acknowledge  Care, Concern  Tell

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training “I would hate for any harm to come to you.” “I don’t want this to get any worse. I’d really like to see you get some help.” “You’re an important part of my class and I want to be sure you stay safe.” 20 A C T  Acknowledge ► Care, Concern  Tell

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Bring student to someone trained to help “I know Ms. Jennings in the Student Services office, and she works with many students who are facing challenges like this. Let’s go see her together.” 21 A C T  Acknowledge  Care, Concern ► Tell

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Know the people at your school who are trained Know your School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse, and other members of your Crisis Response Team. Take the student to see one of them right away, even if you’re not sure if it’s a crisis. If you can’t take them, notify someone on the crisis team immediately. 22 A C T  Acknowledge  Care, Concern ► Tell

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training No. State law protects you if you are trying to help prevent suicide. You are safe in trying to help students. For private and public schools. 23

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Firearms play a major role in suicide We promote safe storage 4 strategies to protect:  trigger locks/cabinets  store unloaded  lock ammo  separate location  Grossman, JAMA 2/9/05 24

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Look for warning signs ACT  Acknowledge – say you understand they feel bad  Care – say you care  Tell – bring them to someone trained to help 25

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available at (800) 273-TALK or Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 26

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Nic Dibble School Social Work Consultant (608) Jon Hisgen Health Education Consultant (608)

Suicide prevention Gatekeepers Training Brenda Jennings Education Consultant, Suicide Prevention (608) Kathryn Bush School Psychology Consultant (608)