1. United States Coast Guard
Suicide Awareness and Intervention

2. The Sobering Statistics
8th leading cause of death in the United States
One Suicide every 17 minutes

3. Risk Factors Gender, age and race
History of depression/multiple stresses
History of prior attempts
Family history of suicide
Living Alone
Accessibility to means of suicide
Absence of support system or withdrawal
Drug / alcohol abuse / misuse

4. Coast Guard Risk Factors
17-24 years old
Relationship problems
Access to means of suicide
Alcohol involved
Occur in the first year at a new duty station
High job stress

5. Causes of Suicide Loss of loved ones Loss of close relationship
Loss of financial freedom
Loss of social acceptance
Loss of self-control
Loss of job and/or career
Loss of health

6. Feelings Associated with Loss
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Isolation
Depression
Worthlessness
Despair
Shame

7. Warning Signs Situation occurs Depressive symptoms Verbal warnings
“I can’t take this anymore!”
“I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up!”
Behavioral Warnings

8. Depressive Symptoms Sleep disturbance
Loss of interest in usual activities
Excessive guilt / shame
Loss of energy
Diminished ability to concentrate
Appetite Change
Mental / physical agitation or slowing
Overwhelmed and feeling hopeless

9. Behavior Warnings Preoccupation with death Decline in job performance
Making final arrangements, giving away favorite possessions, writing a will
Being accident prone
Unusual withdrawal, isolation, aggression, disinterest, moodiness, or crying spells

10. Why Don’t We Help? Inconvenience? Lack of Knowledge? Fear or Doubt?
Cynicism?

11. What to Do Take ALL suicide threats seriously.
Act confidently / take charge
Be directive.
Accompany the person to get help.
Be available, be supportive, be an active listener.
CALL FOR HELP IMMEDIATELY!!!

12. Questions to Ask
“Have you had thoughts of harming yourself or others?”
“How recently have you had these thoughts?”
“What have you thought of doing to harm yourself?”

13. Find Out Does the person have a plan
P - What is the Proximity to help?
A - What is the Availability of means?
L - What is the Lethality of means?
S - What is the Specificity of the plan?

14. What Not To Do Don’t act shocked Don’t debate
Don’t tell them the effect their death will have
DON’T EVER TRY TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE THE WEAPON
DON’T LEAVE THE PERSON ALONE

15. Numbers to Call Operations Center- (512) 939-6393
Work Life- 1(800)
Chaplain- (757) /2317
Employee Assistance Program 1(800)
Or call 911