1. and Suicide Prevention

2.  Members of Mental Health Alliance include: - All District counselors - All District Principals - District Nurse - Superintendent

4. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans are living with a mental health condition. Children and teens are included in this statistic. Some Statistics

5.  For middle and high school age youth, suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death.  Each week in our nation, we lose 100+ young people to the national health problem of suicide.  Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method. Suffocation/hanging and poisoning have seen dramatic increases lately.  Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.

6. Noticing worrisome behavior and worrisome changes in behavior

8.  His/her personality changes. You may notice sudden or gradual changes in the way someone typically behaves. He or she may behave in ways that don’t seem to fit the person’s values, or the person may just seem different.

9.  He/she seems uncharacteristically angry, anxious, agitated, or moody. You may notice the person has more frequent problems controlling his or her temper and seems irritable or unable to calm down. People in more extreme situations of this kind may be unable to sleep or may explode in anger at a minor problem.

10.  He/she withdraws or isolates him/herself from other people. Someone who used to be socially engaged may pull away from family and friends and stop taking part in activities he or she used to enjoy. In more severe cases, the person may start failing to make it to school or work. Not to be confused with someone who is more introverted, this sign is marked by a change in someone’s sociability, as when someone pulls away from the social support he or she typically has.

11.  He/she stops taking care of him/herself and may engage in risky behavior. You may notice a change in the person’s level of care or an act of poor judgment on his or her part. For instance, someone may let his or her personal hygiene deteriorate, or the person may start abusing alcohol or illicit substances or engaging in other self- destructive behavior that may alienate loved ones.

12.  He/she seems overcome with hopelessness and overwhelmed by his/her circumstances. Have you noticed someone who used to be optimistic and now can’t find anything to be hopeful about? That person may be suffering from extreme or prolonged grief, or feelings of worthlessness or guilt. People in this situation may say that the world would be better off without them, suggesting suicidal thinking.

13.  Declining academic performance  Depression  Anxiety  Talking about suicide; preoccupation with death  Final arrangements

14. Letting a student know you’re concerned and trying to gauge the severity of the situation. This conversation should happen when you have time to talk, in a place where you will not be overheard by others.

15.  Some teachers want to skip approach and go straight to the counselor to refer the student and this is ok, too.  It’s much better to do that than to do nothing at all!  In an emergency, it may even be the best thing to do. Suicidal ideation requires immediate referral.

16.  Discuss specific, observable behaviors (instead of exaggerating, generalizing, or negatively labeling).  Use “I” statements to soften your observations (with terms like “I think, I feel, or it seems”).  Reflect on what you think the student is saying, thinking, or feeling. Do not give advice, judge the student (or his/her actions), or disagree (or try to change the student’s mind)!

17.  They may have a reasonable explanation that alleviates your concern.  They may say things that cause you to remain concerned.  They may push you away and refuse to talk. That’s OK, but at least now the student knows you care.

18. Students may be more motivated about seeing the counselor when they’re personally referred by someone they know and trust. A. Refer student to the counselor. B. Refer the counselor to the student. C. Or better yet, both!

19.  Describe the benefits of talking with the counselor.  Explain how talking to the counselor could help them meet their goals.  Let them know the counselor has helped others with similar issues (without naming names).  Offer to personally introduce them to the counselor.

20. Although the statistics on youth suicide indicate that some groups are at higher risk for suicide than others, suicide knows no boundaries. Suicide occurs across all age, economic, social, and ethnic boundaries.

21.  Males are more likely to commit suicide; girls are more likely to report attempting suicide.  Native American/ Alaskan Native youth have the highest rate of suicide, with Caucasian youth having the second highest rate, and African American youth having the third highest rate of suicide.  LBGTQ (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Questioning) are often considered to be at higher risk for suicide than their heterosexual peers.

22.  History of previous suicide attempts  History of depression or other mental illness  Family history of suicide  History of abuse  Alcohol or drug abuse  Stressful life event or loss  Easy access to lethal methods  Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others  Impulsive or aggressive tendencies; incarceration

23.  Learning difficulties/disabilities  Developmental disorders  Disorders such as ADD/ADHD  Illness  Exposure to violence  Family moving  Victims of bullying  Students who bully (the aggressor)

24. Silence is not the solution!

25.  School personnel who have reason to suspect suicidal ideation or intent in a student should immediately contact the school counselor [or administrator in the absence of the counselor(s)] and relay the appropriate information.  All attempted suicides shall be treated initially as medical emergencies. A suicide attempt is defined as any life-threatening behavior or gesture on the part of a student with the intent of taking his or her own life. It is not left to the discretion of the school personnel to determine the seriousness of the attempt. If the student has ingested medication, chemical agents, or has incurred physical injury, the student should be escorted to the school nurse.

26.  Suicide is one of the leading causes of PREVENTABLE death in our nation.  Even if the attempt seems to be “only for attention”, take it as a serious cry for help and seek help immediately.  Do not leave the student unattended or send the student to a counselor unaccompanied.  The trained school counselor will follow necessary steps in getting the student help.

27. “Together, we can change this. We can start by…learning the 5 signs that may mean someone is struggling and needs help. And then it’s up to us to show compassion, to reach out, connect, help folks find the help and support they need.” – The First Lady

28. Recognizing signs of suffering or knowing when students may need further support, helps provide:  Suicide prevention or intervention  Early mental health intervention and/or  Substance abuse intervention

29.  Notify the school counselor of any continued concerns (changes in behavior, etc.).  Remember, should you have reason to suspect suicidal ideation or intent, contact the school counselor IMMEDIATELY.  Your professional school counselor(s) will work with the parents/guardians to provide appropriate assistance and/or referrals.