A general overview of signs and symptoms, prevention and intervention options, and community resources.

 Suicidal Ideation – Thoughts of suicide, preoccupation with death, desire to end one’s own life.  Suicidal Behavior – Any act focused on intentionally causing one’s own death.  Suicide Attempt – An unsuccessful act focused on causing one’s own death.

 Suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds.  Suicide is the FOURTH leading cause of death for 10 – 14 year olds. * CDC  Typically 8 to 25 attempts prior to a completed suicide.

 Females are more likely to attempt suicide than males.  Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females.  Firearms are used in over ½ of all youth suicides.  75% of people who commit suicide suffered from depression.

 Diagnosed mental illness (i.e. anxiety, depression)  Impulsive  Previous suicide attempt  Family violence (physical, emotional, sexual)  Family history of suicide  Legal trouble  Low self worth  Parental unemployment  Financial problems in the home  Perfectionistic tendencies  Substance abuse  Significant life stressors (parental divorce, death)  Exposure to suicidal behavior of others  Firearm in the home  School failure  Rejection by friends or peers  Lack of communication w/parents.  Isolation from family and friends  Loss of relationship

 Preoccupation w/death and dying (“I wonder who would even come to my funeral…”)  Reckless behavior/risk taking  Loss of interest in school  Apathetic and neglectful of appearance  Loss of interest in usual activities  Increased physical complaints associated w/emotional distress (stomach aches, headaches)  Withdrawing from others  Change in eating and sleeping habits  Dramatic changes in personality or behavior.  Bizarre thoughts  Substance abuse  Disruptive, attention seeking behaviors  Runaway  Frequently talks about death (even jokingly)  Expresses belief that no one cares about him/her.  Gives or throws away sentimental possessions.  Glamorization or romanticizing of suicide, suicide pacts  Lack of response to praise  Suddenly cheerful after period of depression.  Marked decline in school performance.

 Counseling- individual and/or family therapy with license therapist.  Residential Treatment- 24 hour supervision, counseling, medication management. (Focus on stabilization and safety)  Medication- typically in conjunction w/therapy.

 Notify counselor and administrator immediately. Do not leave the student unsupervised at any time.  Counselor will assess student using clinical interview and informal assessment tool  Counselor will utilize the Denton ISD flowchart and make arrangements accordingly.  Once a teacher makes the referral, the responsibility shifts to counselors and administrators. (Please make referral in a timely a manner)

 Denton County MHMR crisis line: or  University Behavioral Health (UBH) (940) or  911  National Suicide Prevention: SUICIDE (2433) or TALK (8255)  Online support groups (TeenHelp.org, yellowribbon.org, lifeline-gallery.org)

 Center for Disease Control  YellowRibbon.org  University of Texas Medical Branch  Teensuicidestatistics.com  The Health Collaborative (Harris Methodist)