1. ASPEN Project Director
Adolescent Suicide: Prevalence; Circumstance; and Conditions of Recognition
Barri Sky Faucett, MA
ASPEN Project Director

2. Intentional Self-Inflicted Death
SUICIDE
Intentional Self-Inflicted Death

3. Just the Facts Every 13.7 minutes another life is lost to
suicide, taking the lives of more than 38,364
Americans every year.
Every day Americans take their own life
Suicide is now the 10th leading cause of
death in America; Homicide is 15th.
For young people years old, suicide
is the third leading cause of death.

4. OUR Youth
In 2010, there were 4,600 reported youth suicides in the United States.
Each day there are approximately 12 youth suicides
Most common method is firearms followed by suffocations
Males complete 4 times more than females; females attempt four times more than males.

5. Suicide Attempts
1 out of every 53 high school students (1.9 percent) reported having made a suicide attempt that was serious enough to be treated medically (CDC, 2010a).
Approximately 1 out of every 15 high school students attempts suicide each year (CDC, 2010a).
For every completed suicide, there are attempts among adolescents.

6. Suicide in Adolescents
Research shows that most adolescent suicides occur after school hours and in the teen’s homes
Most adolescent suicides are precipitated by interpersonal conflict
Within a typical high school classroom, it is likely that three students (one boy and two girls) have made a suicide attempt within the last year.
Suicide in Adolescents

7. How Does WV Compare?
Since GLS WV ranks 40th in the nation with a rate of 8.9/100,000 vs. the national average of 10.5 (CDC 2010).

8. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for WV Youth ages 15-24!

9. West Virginia Suicides by county
A PREVENTABLE DEATH IN OUR STATE
West Virginia Suicides by county
Ages 15-24
Rate per 100,000 Population
Hancock
4 (12.26)
Brooke
4 (12.56)
Ohio
WV Average Rate 13.2/100,000
320 Deaths by Suicide
7 (10.81))
Marshall
12 (29.79)
Wetzel
Monongalia
Morgan
3 (15.30)
10 (3.97)
3 (18.15)
Tyler
Marion
Preston
Berkeley
5 (46.92)
11 (12.38)
6 (16.39)
11 (9.89)
Pleasants
Mineral
Jefferson
0 (0.00)
Harrison
Taylor
Hampshire
Dodd-
13 (15.36)
7 (20.00))
6 (9.75)
ridge
5 (26.13)
2 (7.78)
Wood
Ritchie
1 (9.88)
10 (9.68)
Grant
4 (34.13))
Barbour
Tucker
1 (13.19)
2 (16.07)
4 (19.02)
Hardy
Wirt
Lewis
1 (13.66)
Gilmer
3 (20.28)
Cal-
2 (10.22)
houn
2 (12.97)
Upshur
Randolph
Jackson
2 (22.25)
4 (10.52)
3 (8.30)
Mason
3 (9.01)
3 (10.07)
Roane
Braxton
Pendleton
1 (5.34)
2 (11.34)
0 (0.00)
18.15 – 46.92
Putnam
Webster
10 (16.14)
Clay
Cabell
3 (26.51)
4 (30.34)
12.26 – 16.39
18 (10.32)
Kanawha
Nicholas
47 (20.96))
Pocahontas
Lincoln
5 (15.89)
2 (20.60)
10.07 – 11.34
Wayne
4 (14.53)
5 (9.63)
Boone
Fayette
2 (6.79)
0.00 – 9.89
16 (27.19)
Greenbrier
Logan
8 (20.23))
9 (20.92)
Raleigh
Mingo
10 (10.55)
Wyoming
Summers
3 (8.81)
1 (3.47)
Monroe
2 (13.69)
0 (0.00)
Mercer
McDowell
12 (160.5)
2 (6.68)

10. 2011 West Virginia Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Percentage of students who seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months before the survey. (9th- 12th )
Year US WV
2011
15.8
13.0
Percentage of students who made a plan regarding how they would attempt suicide
12.8
10.1
Percentage of students who attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the survey.
7.8
5.5

11. Identity Confusion Erickson Developmental Stage-
Learning Identity Versus Identity Confusion (Fidelity)
Learning Intimacy Versus Isolation (Love)

12. The Teenage Brain Adolescence is a time of profound brain growth.
Greatest changes to the brain that are responsible for impulse control, decision making, planning, organization, and emotion occur in adolescence (prefrontal cortex).
Do not reach full maturity until age 25.

13. What do teens deal with? Increased school pressures as they progress
through higher grades
Possibly first romantic relationships
Exploring increased independence and identity
Experimenting with substance use
Puberty and Hormone fluctuation
Bullying

14. Peer Problems
Several studies have found relationships between suicidal behavior and social isolation, sexual orientation, and peer rejection.
70% of suicide completions and attempts occur following the loss or conflict with family and peers.

15. Sexual Identification
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual youth are 1 ½ - 7 times more likely to have reported ideation.
LGB Youth in multiple studies are found to be 3-4 times more likely to attempt suicide.
58% of LGB youth who had attempted suicide reported they really hoped to die vs. 33% of heterosexuals who attempted and reported really hoping to die.
Have elevated risk factors and lower protective factors In

16. Bullying: 3 defining characteristics:
Intentional—behavior is deliberately harmful or threatening
2. Repeated—a bully targets the same victim again and again
3 .Power Imbalanced—a bully chooses victims he or she perceives as vulnerable

17. YRBHS, 2011 (9th-12th)
Percentage of students who reported being bullied on school property
Year US WV
2011
20.1
18.6
Percentage of students who have ever been electronically bullied.
16.2
15.5
Percentage of students felt sad or hopeless for greater than 2 weeks so that they stopped some general activities.
28.5
24.5

18. CYBERSPACE is the new environment where "
youth are forming communities.

19. Cyber bullying 93% of teens ages 12-17 are on the Internet.
75% of teens own a cell phone.
A typical teen sends about >100 text messages a day.
Most teen cell phone users make just 1-5 calls per day.
82% of online teens ages are on social network sites

20. What makes Cyberbullying different?
Distance
24/7
Multiple methods
Text messages; video clips; Websites; Social Media; IM; s; Chat rooms
Anonymous
Expanded Audience

21. Bullying effects Withdraws socially; has few or no friends.
Feels isolated, alone, and sad.
Feels picked on or persecuted.
Feels rejected and not liked.
Complains frequently of illness.
Doesn’t want to go to school; avoids some classes or skips school.
Brings home damaged possessions or reports them “lost.”
Cries easily; displays mood swings and talks about hopelessness. Has poor social skills.
Talks about running away/suicide.

22. Bullying risks for suicide:
Both victims and perpetrators of bullying are at a higher risk for suicide than their peers. Children who are both victims and perpetrators of bullying are at the highest risk
One study found that victims of cyberbullying had higher levels of depression than victims of face-to-face bullying
Verbal
Physical
Relational

23. Bullying and Suicide
Billy
Phoebe
Hope
Megan

24. SUICIDE: Myth or Fact
Confronting a person about suicide will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide.
Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication and lowers the risk of an impulsive act

25. Myth or Fact Those who talk about suicide don’t do it.
People who talk about suicide may
try, or even complete, an act of
self-destruction.

26. Myth or Fact If a suicidal youth tells a friend, the
friend will access help.
Most young people do not tell an
adult

27. SUICIDE- Risk Factors, Warning Signs, Protective Factors
Risk Factors- characteristics that will may it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt, or die by suicide
Warning Signs- behaviors that indicate signs of immediate risk
Protective Factors- characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide.
Suicide is a multidimensional

28. Risk Factors- IS PATH WARM
Ideation
Substance Abuse
Purposelessness
Anxiety
Trapped
Hopelessness
Withdrawal
Anger
Recklessness
Mood Changes

29. Problems that increase Suicide Risk
Prior suicide attempts
Mental health disorders
History of trauma or abuse
Family history of suicide
Lack of social support

30. Situations that increase suicide risk
Major physical illnesses
Losses
Bullying
Easy access to lethal means
Local clusters of suicide

31. Access to means
Firearms are used in 58% of successful suicides
The rate of completed suicides is fives times higher in houses with firearms.
Firearms are even more prevalent in suicides involving alcohol.
65% of WV homes have firearms.

32. Warning Signs: Acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills
Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself
Impulsivity/increased risk taking
Giving away prized possessions
Self-destructive acts (i.e., cutting)
Increased drug or alcohol abuse
Talking about no reason to live

33. Protective Factors Treatment for MH/SA, physical disorders
Increased access to interventions
Restricted access to highly lethal means
Strong connections to family and community support
Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation.

34. Indirect or “Coded” Verbal Clues:
“I’m tired of life, I just can’t go on.”
“My family would be better off without me.”
“Who cares if I’m dead anyway.”
“I just want out.”
“I won’t be around much longer.”
“Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about me.”

35. What to Do for the Individual
Take it seriously
Almost 80% of all suicides had given some warning of their intentions
Ask Directly
If you think that someone is suicidal, ask them about it

36. Tips for Asking the Question

37. What to do – Be Genuine Be Genuine
Listen and don’t show shock or disapproval
Show that you care, it is more important
than saying “the right thing.”
Avoid trying to explain away the feelings…(saying things like “you have a lot to live for” or “you are just confused right now”)

38. What to Do
Stay There
Don’t leave them alone.
Seek Help -Be actively involved in seeking professional help

39. Plan for Safety KEEP SAFE Agreement Safety Contact (s)
Safe/no use of alcohol and drugs
Link to resources
Disable the suicide plan
Link to services
Plan for Life

40. Potential Assessments
Patient Health Questionnaire Modified for Teens (PHQ-9 Modified)
12-18 years of age
Less than five minutes to complete and score
Adolescent Suicide Assessment Protocol (ASAP-20)
Semi- structured clinical interview
Addresses 20 items associated with suicide risk

41. Offerings SOS Curriculums/ASPEN Workshop for Students
Evidence-Based Middle School and High School programs
Brief Introductory Training
25 minute Video
Guided Discussion
Screening Instrument
Jason Foundation Kits
Orientation towards suicide prevention
ASK CARE TELL cards for students

42. ASPEN Offerings cont. ASPEN Presentation for your schools:
Presentation- 35 minutes workshop for students
Video Viewing- 13 minute movie regarding adolescent suicide
Depression Screening- with active parental consent
ASAP-20 Follow-up for at-risk youth
Postvention services:
Response support to school systems
Sudden Traumatic Loss Toolkit

43. Trainings Awareness and QPR Adolescent Suicide Assessment Protocol
(ASAP-20)
PCP Toolkit Training
Implementation of Suicide Prevention Toolkit
Applied Suicide Intervention Support Training (ASIST)

44. For More Information www.suicidology.org www.sprc.org www.afsp.org

45. WV Council for the Prevention of Suicide
WV Contacts
Barri Faucett, MA
Project Director
(304) ext 1691
(304)
Bob Musick
Executive Director
WV Council for the Prevention of Suicide
(304)