1. Helping to prevent one of our loved ones from committing suicide

2. Teenage suicide is the third leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15-25 years.
More people kill themselves than being killed by someone else.
500,000 teenagers attempt suicide every year and about 5,000 teenagers succeed.
Teenage suicide is an epidemic nation wide and there needs to be more awareness and prevention to try to help these teenagers who are in desperate need of help.

3. I Am Not OK-Teen suicide prevention and awareness
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4. Who is a Gatekeeper?
Coach
Teacher
Pastor
Friend

5. Overcoming our Emotional Reactions to warning signs
What are the warning signs?
Verbal or behavioral?
Our Emotional Reactions
Fear-the very idea that someone wants to die
Denial-we didn’t hear what we heard
Deny the warning signs “people who talk about suicide don’t do it”
Shock-How can this be?
Anger-why didn’t they come to me sooner?

6. Understanding Suicide
They have problems just like we have problems.
The difference is that, if that for the moment, we feel we can handle our problems and do not feel overwhelmed by them.
Suicide seems like a solution to a problem.
Suicide seems like a solution to many unsolvable problems.

8. Suicide occurs: During: times of personal crisis Unrelenting stress
Depression
When we are confronted with a fear of failure
The spectator of an unacceptable loss

9. Impulsive act?
Although sometimes an impulsive act, most people will think about suicide for days, weeks, months or even years before they make an attempt.
Oddly, brings about a relief that all one’s problems can finally be solved and terror at the idea of having to die to find relief.

10. Clues and warning signs to suicide
Clues and warning signs come in different forms.
One clue or warning sign may not mean a great deal, but any warning sign suggesting acute distress, despair, or hopelessness about the future or a desire to “end it all” is worth asking about.

11. These are some warning signs of suicidal teenagers:
change in eating and sleeping habits
withdrawal from family and friends
statements in hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness
stating comments like "I won’t be a problem for you much longer" and "nothing matters anymore"
violent actions, rebellious, running away from home
drug and or alcohol abuse
neglect of personal appearance
not tolerating praise or reward

12. Direct Verbal Clues I’ve decided to kill myself I wish I were dead
I’m going to commit suicide
I’m going to end it all
If (such and such ) doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.

13. Indirect or coded verbal clues
I’m tired of life
What’s the point of going on?
My family would be better off without me
Who cares if I’m dead anyway?
I can’t go on anymore
I just want out
I’m tired of it all
You would be better off without me
I’m calling it quits, living is useless
Soon I won’t be around
You shouldn’t have to take care of me any longer
Soon, you won’t have to worry about me any longer
You’re going to regret how you’ve treated me
Here take this (cherished possession); I won’t be needing it.

14. Behavioral Clues Donating body to a medical school Purchasing a gun
Stockpiling pills
Putting personal and business affairs in order
Making or changing a will
Taking our insurance or changing beneficiaries
Giving away money or prized possessions
Making funeral plans
Changes in behavior, waving or kissing goodbye, (especially if not characteristic)
Sudden interest in church or religion

15. Situational Clues
Sudden rejection by a loved one (boyfriend/girlfriend), or unwanted separation or divorce
Recent move, especially if unwanted
Death of a spouse, child, friend (especially if by suicide or accident)
Diagnosis of a terminal illness
Sudden unexpected loss of freedom (about to be arrested)
Anticipated loss of financial security

16. Depression Is the common cold of modern life
Both biological and psychological
#1 cause of suicidal behavior

17. Symptoms of depression
Wishing to be dead
Nervousness
Crying
Inability to concentrate
Poor sleep
Fatigue
Irritability
Loss of interest in friends, food and fun

18. Adolescents attempt suicide to end unbearable emotional pain caused by a variety of problems.
A person attempting suicide is usually so depressed they can not see any other way out.
Suicide attempts are usually cries for help; it is not a spur of the moment decision.
People usually attempt suicide as their last option they feel total destitute.

19. Bad news, depression is common
Bad news, depression is common. Good news, it responds well to treatment

20. How to help Question Persuade someone to get help
Referral – refer to someone for help

21. How you can help prevent someone from attempting suicide:
Listen to the person
Show the person you care by saying things like:
-"I care about you so tell me how you're feeling"
-"Share your pain with me"
-"You mean a lot to me so I want to help"
Talk openly with the person
Try to show that you understand the person
Ask the person if he/she has a plan
Get professional help

22. Written Assignment
Write a one-page paper on one of the following topics:
“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”
“Talking about the problem is the most effective weapon against teenage suicide”
“It takes more courage to live than to die”
Should terminally ill people have the right to determine how and when to die?

23. Paper must include:
Main Idea-clear and supporting information is relevant, accurate, and detailed
Organization and Sentence structure – paragraphs, complete sentences, smooth- flowing information
Mechanics-spelling, grammar capitalization
Format – neat and legible