1. Catherine R. Grizinski, M.Ed., LSW, CIRS
Suicide Review – Youth
Catherine R. Grizinski, M.Ed., LSW, CIRS
Associate Director
Help Network of NEO

2. Objectives To review current statistics
To discuss the facts of Youth Suicide
To review bullying factors
To review risk/core components
To discuss interventions

3. Statistics
2015 – 2nd leading cause of death for young people 10-14, and 15-24
Suicide accounts for 1.6% of all deaths but it comprises 13.6% of all deaths among 15-24
Ten suicides for every 100,000 youths
Twelve youth suicides occur daily
Every one hour – 36 minutes a person under the age of 25 completes suicide

4. Statistics Access to firearms is a significant factor for increase
For every completed suicide there are attempts
2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance
Survey reported 8.6% of 9-12th graders attempted suicide in the previous 12 and 2.8% had to be treated.
Prior Suicide attempt is a risk factor for possible completion

5. Statistics 17.7% of students seriously considered suicide
14.6% made plans for an attempt

6. Facts Suicide occurs after school hours in the home
Profile of a nonfatal is usually female who ingests pills
Profile of a fatal is usually male who completes with a firearm
Deliberate self harm is considered serious and youth in need of evaluation

7. Facts Most are precipitated by interpersonal conflicts
Hope to effect a change in others
Or as a way to cope with stresses
Most give definite signs of their intentions
Talking with a youth about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal
Suicide Is preventable. Youth just can’t see any alternatives to their problems

8. Facts Four times as many males kill themselves as compared to females
Three times as many females attempt as compared to men
Suicide cuts across all age, economic, social, and ethnic boundaries
Firearms are the most used method with asphyxiation/suffocation being second.
Survivors of a suicide of a loved one may be at risk for suicide and ongoing grief issues

9. Facts
Studies have found that LGBTQ Youth attempt suicide more frequently than straight peers Risk factor is previous attempts Victimization Family rejection Protective Factors – Family, safe schools, limited access to firearms, cultural competence training for staff

10. Bullying 1 out of 4 kids are bullied 43% are cyberbullied
Forms: Physical, Verbal, Emotional, Sexual, Cyber
Effects: fear, depression, loneliness, anxiety, low esteem, skip school, illnesses.
Effects could become cumulative for kid to think about suicide as an option

11. Core Components of Risk
Desire
Capability
Intent
Buffers/Connectedness

12. Desire Ideation Psychological pain Hopeless Helpless Perceived Burdon
Trapped
Intolerably alone

13. Capability History of attempts Exposure to suicide
History of violence towards others
Available means
Intoxicated
Substance Abuse
Acute symptoms of Mental Illness
Dramatic mood changes
Out of Touch with reality
Increased anxiety
Decreased sleep
Acts of aggression

14. Intent Attempt in Progress Plan to hurt self Method known
Prepatory behaviors
Expressed intent

15. Buffers Immediate Support Social supports Plans for future
Engaged with helper
Ambivalence
Core Beliefs
Sense of Purpose

16. Signs
Presence of a Psychiatric Disorder – depression, AOD, Behavior or Conduct D/O
Communicates Thoughts or Intent
Impulsive or aggressive
Frequent expressions of rage
Increase Of AOD
Exposure to another’s suicidal behaviors
Recent stressors –
Family Instability or conflict

17. Warning Signs – IS PATH WARM
I – ideation
S-Substance use
P-Purposelessness – no hope
A-Anxious
T-Trapped
H-Hopeless – depression

18. Warning Signs - W – Withdrawal – Burdon A-Anger – rage
R- reckless – Risky – Rehearsal
M- Mood changes – dramatic – happy-sad or sad to happy

19. Ways to Help Be Aware – Learn the Warning Signs
Get involved – become available – show interest and support
Ask if youth is thinking about suicide
Be direct – talk openly and freely about suicide
Be willing to listen. Allow for expression of feelings

20. Ways to Help Accept the Feelings
Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong.
Don’t lecture on the value of life
Don’t dare them to do it.
Don’t give advice
Ask what triggered their emotions – stay away from why
Offer empathy

21. Ways to Help Do not be sworn to secrecy – get help
Be warm and caring – don’t show your shock
Offer hope that alternatives are available, giving glib advice only proves you don’t understand
Take action – remove means, get help
Follow Crisis Plans and Policies
Refer to community resources for ongoing assistance

22. IT is okay to ask for Help and to give Help.
Caregiver issues are to:
Facilitate an understanding of their feelings of the event
Expose the narrowness of their choices
Help Make better choices
Align self as a resource
You Can Make a Difference in a Young Person’s Life!

23. What to Do? Awareness of risks/warning signs is key to prevention
ACT do not under react or overreact
Once identified – engage the youth
Listen – reflect words and feelings
QPR – Question, Persuade , Refer

24. What to do?-Question
Ask the suicide question – sometimes young people who express themselves as you have are often thinking about suicide. Are you thinking about suicide? Are you thinking about killing yourself?
Have you ever wanted to stop living?
If the answer is yes- find out if there is a plan.

25. What to Do? If yes – how would they carry out the plan.
Do they have the means and are they accessible.
Do they need to get them later
The more specific the plan and the available the means creates a serious situation requiring immediate attention

26. Persuade
Listen
Let them talk through their emotions if imminent risk is not assessed.
Stay calm
Be reassuring
Never leave them alone – may need to engage family and friends

27. Persuade/Refer Link to counselor if in therapy or refer for therapy
Problem solving techniques
HALT
Safe Plans
Medication – work with the DR regarding changes in symptoms

28. Safe Plans
Written list of coping strategies and sources of support that teens can use before or during a crisis
Develop one with the teen
1. Identify stressors, 2. ways to ease pain/cope, 3. Disable the means/remove 4. ID social settings to distract 5. Persons to call 6. Professional resources

29. Safe Plans Assess – what barriers there could be to implement
Where to keep the plan – make copies
Evaluate to make sure it meets new stressors
Review – make changes or add to it.

30. Resources Local mental health/addiction agencies
Help Network NEO Hotline
Family Physician
Private Therapist
Religious Leader
Hospital
Police – when risk is imminent

31. Resources Help Network NEO Hotline – 211 or
Help Network NEO website to search online local resources

32. Sources American Association of Suicidology
National Center for Injury Prevention & Control
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(TALK)
211 –resources for Suicide, mental health, addiction, youth programs or call or

33. Thank You
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