1. Kirsten ipock Partnership 4 kids December 2017
Teen suicide
Kirsten ipock
Partnership 4 kids
December 2017

2. Suicidal people are fully intent on dying?
Myth or fact?
Suicidal people are fully intent on dying?

3. myth
Most suicidal people are undecided about living or dying, which is called “suicidal ambivalence.” A part of them wants to live; however, death seems like the only way out of their pain and suffering. They may allow themselves to "gamble with death," leaving it up to others to save them.

4. Myth or fact?
The highest suicide rates are immediately after a hospitalization for a suicide attempt.

5. Fact
Most suicides occur within days or weeks of "improvement," when the individual has the energy and motivation to actually follow through with his/her suicidal thoughts. Therefore, improvement following a suicide attempt or crisis does NOT means that the risk is over.

6. Kids do not have to be depressed to attempt suicide.
Myth or fact?
Kids do not have to be depressed to attempt suicide.

7. FACT
Kids don’t have to be clinically depressed to have suicidal feelings or to attempt suicide. Even feeling extremely “bummed out” for a relatively short period of time can lead to impulsive suicide attempts. Nevertheless, a person who is clinically depressed for longer periods of time is at higher risk for attempting suicide.

8. Statistics 2nd leading cause of death for people age 5-24
More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED
Each day in our nation, there are an average of over 3,470 attempts by young people grades 9- 12
Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs
Girls think about and attempt suicide twice as often as boys, typically by cutting or overdosing
Boys complete suicide 4x more than girls, tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights

9. Suicide risk factors
recent or serious loss (family, friend, pet) (divorce, break up, loss of job or home)
Mood disorder such as bipolar, depression
Prior suicide attempts
Participating in high risk activities, alcohol or substance abuse problems
LGBTQIA+ (trans and queer spectrum)
Family history of suicide, abuse or neglect
Bullying and lack of social support
Access to lethal means

10. Self harm vs. Suicidal ideation
Self-harm is thought to be directly linked with suicide but this is not usually the case
Unfortunately the two often get grouped together because both are inflictions of pain and sometimes people who begin with self-harm may later die by suicide 
Generally people who self-harm do not wish to kill themselves; whereas suicide is a way of ending life. 
One significant difference between suicide and self-harm is intent

11. Self harm vs. Suicidal ideation continued
Many people who self-harm for the following reasons:
To escape their feelings
To cope with life stressors
To express their pain
To punish themselves (Some people mutilate their bodies to punish themselves for what's going on in their lives. They lack the appropriate coping skills and suffer from low self-esteem so they feel that they deserve what they are doing to themselves.)
To feel euphoria. (It's true. When we get hurt endorphins are released into the blood stream, resulting in a "natural high" or a feeling of euphoria. Self-harming behaviors can be addictive and habit forming.)

12. Signs
Talk; If a person talks about: Killing themselves, having no reason to live, Being a burden to others, Feeling trapped, Unbearable pain
Mood: Depression, Loss of interest, Rage, Irritability, Humiliation, Anxiety
Behavior: A person’s suicide risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, especially if it’s related to a painful event, loss, or change. Increased use of alcohol or drugs, Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means, Acting recklessly, Withdrawing from activities, Isolating from family and friends, Sleeping too much or too little, Visiting or calling people to say goodbye, Giving away prized possessions, Aggression

13. IS PATH WARM
I= Ideation (Does the client express active suicidal ideation or have they written about their suicide or death? Does the client report the desire to kill oneself?)
S= Substance Abuse (Does the client excessively use alcohol or other drugs, or begun using alcohol or other drugs?)
P= Purposeless (Does the client voice a lack or loss of purpose in life? Do they see little or no sense or reason for continued living?)
A= Anger (Uncontrolled rage or seeking revenge)
T= Trapped (Feeling like no way out)
H= Hopelessness (Negative sense of self, others, and future? Does the future appear hopeless with little chance for positive change?)
W= Withdrawal (Disconnection w/family, friends, society)
A= Anxiety, Agitation/Insomnia (Does the client feel anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep? Does the client report an inability to relax? Just as important, does the client report sleeping all the time?)
R= Recklessness (Risky acts, impulsive)
M= Mood changes (Dramatic shifts)

14. What we know Suicidality = Response to seen and unseen pain
There is no typical suicide completer
There are no absolute reasons for suicide
There are no all-inclusive, predictive lists of warning signs
Suicide is always multi-dimensional
Preventing suicide must involve many approaches
Most people do not want to die
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior
Substance abuse makes everything worse
Pay attention to risk factors and warning signs!
Most suicide attempts are expression of extreme distress, not harmless bids for attention. A person who appears suicidal should not be left alone and needs immediate mental-health treatment.

15. What you can say You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.
I understand you have a real diagnosis and that’s what causes these thoughts and feelings.
I may not understand exactly how you feel, but I care and want to help
You are important to me. Your life is important to me.
Tell me what I can do now to help you.
I am here for you. We will get through this together.

16. What not to say It’s all in your head.
We all go through times like this. Buck-up!
You’ll be fine. Stop worrying.
Look on the bright side…
Just snap out of it.
Stop acting crazy.
What’s wrong with you?
Shouldn’t you be better by now?
You have so much to live for, why would you want to die?

17. What you need know
Completed not committed!!!! Committed is related to crime
Suicide ideation is common! Many teens and adults think about dying, but this is not serious until they begin thinking of HOW they want to complete suicide
If you think the client is in immediate danger or too unsafe to return to home/school/etc. is it your ethical responsibility to report this to the client’s parents/guardians and recommend hospitalization
If guardians refuse, this is a DHS report (neglect of care)
If unsure, consult! Remember, confidentiality goes out the window if the client is threatening to harm self or others
If client is suicidal but not in immediate danger, develop a safety plan, create supports, follow- up, and… document!

18. Resources for us and our kids
Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
HOPE 4 IOWA Crisis Call Line:
Trevor Project – Suicide Hotline for Trans/Queer Spectrum Youth:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: