1. Suicide Prevention Chapter 5, pgs. 122-125

2. Suicide Facts Every year 30,000 people commit suicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens ages
Each year 15% of all teens in this age group will consider suicide. More than half will actually attempt suicide.

3. Suicide Risk Factors Depression Substance abuse Violence
Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
Prior suicide attempts
Firearms in the house
Jail time
A family history of mental disorder
Exposure to other suicides

4. Warning Signs of Suicide
Direct or indirect suicide threats
Direct statements such as “I wish I were dead”
Indirect statements such as “I can’t take it anymore”
Writing poems, song lyrics, or diary entries that deal with death
An unusual obsession with death
Withdrawal from friends
Dramatic changes in personality, hygiene, or appearance
Impulsive, irrational, or unusual behavior
A sense of guilt, shame or rejection; negative self-evaluation
Deterioration in schoolwork or recreational performance

5. Warning Signs of Suicide
Giving away personal belongings
Substance abuse
Complaints of physical symptoms, such as stomachache, headaches, & fatigue
Persistent boredom & indifference
Violent actions, rebellious behavior, running away
Intolerance for praise or rewards
A sudden, upbeat mood, which can signal that the decision to attempt suicide has been made.

6. “Suicide thoughts are temporary, but death is permanent”
Preventing Suicide
“Suicide thoughts are temporary, but death is permanent”

7. Preventing Suicide
Take any and all talk of potential suicide seriously.
Actively listen and show support, and be calm and understanding.
Talk directly, openly and freely.
Allow the person to express his or her feelings in depth, and show empathy for his or her problems.
Let the person know how much you and others care.

8. Preventing Suicide
Stress the temporary nature of the problems and feelings the person is going through and emphasize that there is professional help available that can make things better

9. Preventing Suicide
Make clear that you understand that the person wants to end his or her pain, but emphasize that suicide is not the answer.
Add the fact that most suicide survivors later express gratitude that they did not die.

10. Preventing Suicide
Ask the person whether or not he or she has a specific plan and means to follow through with it.
Be sure there are no weapons or drugs available.
Do not leave the potential suicide person alone if you feel the threat is immediate and take the person to a professional for counseling.

11. Preventing Suicide
Suggest that he or she talk to a parent or other trusted adult, or a trained professional.
Offer to make the contacts on his or her behalf.
Do not agree to “keep a secret”

12. Multiple (Cluster) Suicides
A rash of suicides occurring within a short space of time and involving several people in the same school or community

13. Multiple (Cluster) Suicides
They usually involve suicide pacts – written or verbal agreements between two or more people to take part in a joint suicide.
When these pacts fail, and they often do, the guilt experienced by the survivor is intolerable.
If you know someone engaged in such a pact, talk with a trusted adult or to the authorities immediately
Intervention and counseling must start right away for all involved in such a pact.