1. Suicide Prevention 101: What teens need to know
Add School District Name
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

2. Myth or Fact?
If we talk about suicide or ask a friend if they are feeling suicidal, we may give them the idea to do it.
Myth
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

3. People who talk about attempting suicide aren’t the ones who do it.
Myth or Fact?
People who talk about attempting suicide aren’t the ones who do it.
Myth
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

4. Myth or Fact?
There are not usually warning signs that an individual is feeling suicidal.
Myth
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

5. Myth or Fact?
Most people who attempt or complete suicide do not want to die. They are seeking freedom from emotional pain.
FACT
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

6. People who attempt or complete suicide all have a mental illness.
Myth or Fact?
People who attempt or complete suicide all have a mental illness.
Myth
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

7. Only experts can prevent suicide.
Myth or Fact?
Only experts can prevent suicide.
Myth
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

8. What are Suicidal Warning Signs?
Withdrawing from friends/family
Depressed, sad
Loss of energy
No longer interested in usual activities
Disinterest in making future plans
Decreased school attendance
Change in eating or sleeping
Neglect of personal appearance
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

9. Warning Signs - Continued
Feelings of worthlessness
Feelings of not belonging
Reading books on suicide/death
Focus on death in comics or movies
Mentioning suicide in their writings…
Using alcohol/drugs
Increased hostility, defensiveness
Euphoria, attitude becomes calm
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

10. What may be a suicide EMERGENCY?
Self-defeating statements (I’d be better off dead)
Intense feelings of being a burden
Citing no reason for living, hopeless
Looking for lethal means
Describing a specific plan
Talk or joke about being dead
Threaten suicide in texts, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, IM, or in person
Talk about their own funeral
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

11. Wanting the pain to end…
Suicide is a PERMANENT solution to a TEMPORARY problem…
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

12. What can I do??? TAKE ANY WARNING SIGNS OR THREATS SERIOUSLY!
Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide
Do not judge or minimize their feelings
Be willing to listen & be available
Do express concern and show you care
Help peers feel connected!
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

13. You can be a lifesaver! DO NOT KEEP IT A SECRET…. NO MATTER WHAT!
Say that emergency help is available
Do not leave them alone while you get help
Remove car keys, if possible
Take action…This person trusted you, so help them!
Seek ADULT help immediately!
Call a Crisis Center or call 9-1-1
DO NOT KEEP IT A SECRET… NO MATTER WHAT!
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

14. What to say …
I’m concerned about how you feel and don’t want anything to happen to you…”
“I care about what happens to you and I need help in dealing with this…”
“Thank you for confiding in me. I don’t want you to hurt yourself…”
“Thank you for trusting me…”
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.

15. Teens do not WANT to die…They want to get rid of their emotional pain.
Remember
Teens do not WANT to die…They want to get rid of their emotional pain.
Get adult help, even if you are unsure:
-Parent
-Counselor
-Teacher/Coach/Administrator
-Crisis Center or 9-1-1
Source: Erbacher, T.A. & Salvatore, T. (2010). Suicide prevention 101: What teens need to know. Presentation to Delaware County High School in the aftermath of a suicide, Delaware County, PA.
© 2015 Terri A. Erbacher, Jonathan B. Singer, and Scott Poland. To be used only in teaching material from: Erbacher, T. A., Singer, J. B., and Poland, S.(2015), Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. New York: Routledge.