2. State Standard
12) Develop a patient health education presentation surrounding one of the following wellness issues: optimal health, exercise and fitness, healthy eating and nutrition, sleep, stress or other mental health issues, drug/alcohol/tobacco use and abuse, body decoration, sexually transmitted infections, or cyber safety. Include signs and symptoms of the behavior and/or disease, major physical concerns associated with it, preventive measures, treatments, and support systems. Include at least three resources.

3. Objectives
To examine the causes of and media influences on youth suicide.
To analyze preventative methods for suicide.
To identify strategies to cope with grief when losing someone to suicide.

4. Suicide Refers to the act of a person ending his or her own life
Results in approximately 4,600 deaths each year in the United States
Is the third leading cause of death for youths between the ages of 10 and 24
81 percent of the death were males and 19 percent were females

5. Attempted Suicide
Is a serious problem among youths in the United States
Was reported in a 2012 study
16 percent of students ages 9 to12 have seriously considered suicide
13 percent created a plan
8 percent have attempted suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey

6. Reasons of Suicide Among youths include:
trying to escaping from a difficult situation
feelings of rejection, hurt or loss
worrying about disappointing family or friends

7. Media Influences on Suicide
Include:
news
movies and music
social media

8. News Reports to the public regarding suicide stories include:
celebrity suicide stories
youth suicide stories
dramatic suicide stories

9. News
Triggers a copycat suicide effect among readers and viewers, especially when a particular death story:
was reported multiple times
was placed on the front page or the beginning of a broadcast
had a dramatic headline

10. Movies & Music Present suicide as a solution Displays violence
Glamorize alcohol and drug abuse
Are especially harmful among youths who:
are depressed and suicidal
feel alienated
have substance abuse problems
have difficult home lives

11. Social Media Provides a platform for cyberbullying
cyberbullying victims are almost twice as likely to have attempted suicide than those who were not cyberbullied
Can potentially be more damaging than traditional media
can reach more people in different locations
can reach people in a shorter period of time
can reach people 24/7

12. Risk Factors of Suicide
Include:
history of previous suicide attempts
family history of suicide
depression or other mental illness
alcohol or drug abuse
serious life event or loss
access to lethal methods

13. Warning Signs of Suicide
Include:
extreme personality changes
loss of interest in favorite activities
eating disorder
sleeping disorder
self-destructive behavior
withdrawal from family and friends
poor school performance

14. Preventative Methods for Suicide
Should be adopted by the following parties:
youths
parents
peers

15. Preventative Methods for Youths
Include:
being around people who are caring and positive
eating healthily and exercising regularly
actively participating in interested activities
identifying ways to reduce stress or manage anxiety
knowing how to cope with grief

16. If You Have Suicidal Thoughts
Tell a trusted adult immediately
Asking help from a therapist or counselor
Join in a support network

17. Preventative Methods for Parents
Include:
keep firearms and medications away from your children
get professional help from medical or metal health experts
keep a close eye on your children for warning signs of suicide
establish a strong relationship with your children and express your concern, support and love
educate yourself about youth suicide

18. Preventative Methods for Peers
Include:
listening to your friends and show your care and concern
encouraging your friends to seek professional help and offer to accompany if necessary
talk to a trusted adult if you see warning signs of suicide from a friend
stay close and make sure your friend is not left alone

19. Coping with Grief
Is necessary when experiencing great sadness when losing a family member or friend to suicide
Has five stages
denial – refusing to accept the loss
anger – blaming self or others for the situation
bargaining – wishing for a second chance
depression – feeling sad, helpless and discouraged
acceptance – calmly facing the truth the loved one is gone

20. Coping with Grief Involves: talking to friends and family members
talking to someone who has experienced a loss
staying active
looking for professional help if necessary
reading about grief and methods for overcoming it
taking all the time you need

21. Activity Complete the facts about suicide assessment.
With your table partner complete the tool kit for suicide prevention activity on the class website.
You will be sharing these with the class.

22. Resources http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/nssp

23. Acknowledgement
Production Coordinators Caroline Huang-Loggains Aleesa Ross Brand Manager Megan O’Quinn Lacey Yancey Graphic Designer Melody Rowell Technical Writer Jessica Odom V.P. of Brand Management Clayton Franklin
Executive Producer
Gordon W. Davis, Ph.D.
CEV Multimedia, Ltd.
© MMXIV