1. Suicide Prevention Training
4/23/2019
Suicide Prevention Training
for All School Staff
Gatekeeper Training
Brenda Jennings
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Revised April 2012

2. Goals for this Workshop
Participants will:
Know reasons for school staff to prevent suicide
Know the warning signs
Know how to help students who show warning signs

3. “Survivors” Suggest Use: Avoid: “Completed suicide” “Died by suicide”
“Took his/her own life”
“Died of suicide”
Avoid:
“Successful suicide attempt”
“Committed suicide” it is not illegal

4. Reasons for School Staff
To Prevent Suicide
1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Wisconsin youth
One suicide is too many, a life lost forever
DHS WISH, Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)
2011 WI YRBS

5. Reasons for School Staff
To Prevent Suicide
4/23/2019
Suicide affects the entire school- community, interrupts learning
Suicide is a long term solution to a short term problem
Most suicides can be prevented

6. Leading Causes of Death
for Wisconsin Youth
From
(11 years)
Deaths Among Youth
age 5-19
Unintentional/accidents
1,791
Suicide
515
Cancer
320
Homicide/Assault
Congenital Malformations
144
Drowning
121
Diseases of the Heart 94
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 5-19.
DHS WISH 2010 Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)

7. Wisconsin Youth Suicides
Age
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Sum
5-9 1 2
10-14 10 9 5 7 8 6 4 71
15-17 23 21 22 19 24 14 11 25
214
18-19 28 20 17 16
228 61 52 49 53 47 54 40 35 29 48
515
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 5-19.
DHS WISH, Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)

8. Suicide Rate per 100,000 Youth (age 0-19)
Wisconsin US
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.05
0.00
6.00
5.50
5.00
4.50
4.00

9. Let’s look at those youth suicides
418 Males, 97 Females (greater than a 4:1 ratio)
Firearms consists of about half of the deaths (238)
Suffocation (hanging) resulted in 213 deaths
Other methods include poisoning, falls, drowning, vehicles
DHS WISH Injury Mortality (age 5-19)(accessed 03/12)

10. Bullying
“Students who report being bullied, as well as those who admit to bullying others, have been found to have significantly higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors than students who do not report experiences with bullying.”
AFSP 2009, SPRC 2012

11. Know the Warning Signs Withdraws from friends, family, others
Talks about hurting self
Feels lasting sadness, feels depression
Has a hard time concentrating
Feels anxious
School work gets worse
Increased alcohol or drug use
One suicide is too many
Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
Updated 2012

12. MOST SuicideS can be prevented
Know the Warning Signs
Change in eating habits – more or less
Change in sleep patterns – more or less
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, body aches (stomachaches, headaches, fatigue)
MOST SuicideS can be prevented
Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
Roberts, et. al, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2001; 30: 1-18.
Updated SPRC 2012

13. Suicide affects the entire school-community
Know the Warning Signs
Uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless
Feeling trapped, like there is no way out
Feeling hopeless
No sense of purpose in life
Suicide affects the entire school-community
Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
Goldstein, et. al, J Consulting Clinical Psychiatry, 2008 Feb; 76(1): 84-91
Updated SPRC 2012

14. 1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression
Know the Warning Signs
Being intolerant of praise or rewards
Suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
Giving away favorite possessions
Making a last will & testament
1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression
Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
Updated 2012

15. Urgent Warning Signs  Help is needed now!
Talks about hurting self
Looks for ways to kill self
Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
SAMHSA 1/11

16. When you see urgent warning signs:
Don’t shame: “You’re too sensitive. Grow up!”
Don’t delay: Get help right away, don’t wait.
Don’t blame: “If you wanted a better grade, you would have worked harder.”

17. When you see urgent warning signs:
Don’t give up: Suicide is NOT a destiny
Don’t do it alone: Consult with principal or student services
Don’t leave the student alone

18. Talk to them using ACT
A is for “Acknowledge” signs and symptoms, don’t minimize their feelings
C is for showing “Care and Concern” for the person who is at-risk
T is for “Tell” a trusted adult who knows how to respond, including pupil services, heath educators, or administrators in your school
A l C l T
Acknowledge
Care, Concern
Tell

19. Acknowledge: Say you understand they feel bad
“That sounds really tough, I’m sorry to hear it.”
“You have some major challenges on your plate.”
Don’t minimize their feelings by saying:
“You’ll get over it.”
“Time heals all wounds.”
“Stop worrying about it.”
A l C l T
Acknowledge
Care, Concern
Tell

20. Care and Concern: Say you care
“I would hate for any harm to come to you.”
“I don’t want this to get any worse. I’d really like to see you get some help.”
“You’re an important part of my class and I want to be sure you stay safe.”
A l C l T
Acknowledge
Care, Concern
Tell

21. Tell someone Bring student to someone trained to help
“I know Ms. Jennings in the Student Services office, and she works with many students who are facing challenges like this. Let’s go see her together.”
A l C l T
Acknowledge
Care, Concern
Tell

22. Tell Know the people at your school who are trained
Know your School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse, and other members of your Crisis Response Team. Take the student to see one of them right away, even if you’re not sure if it’s a crisis.
If you can’t take them, notify someone on the crisis team immediately.
A l C l T
Acknowledge
Care, Concern
Tell

23. Can I get in trouble if I do this wrong?
No. State law protects you if you are trying to help prevent suicide.
You are safe in trying to help students.
For private and public schools.

24. Means Restriction is THE BEST!
Firearms play a major role in suicide
We promote safe storage
4 strategies to protect:
trigger locks/cabinets
store unloaded
lock ammo
separate location
Grossman, JAMA 2/9/05

25. Remember, you can help Look for warning signs ACT
Acknowledge – say you understand they feel bad
Care – say you care
Tell – bring them to someone trained to help

26. Resources
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available at
(800) 273-TALK or
Prevent Suicide Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction

27. DPI Contacts Nic Dibble Jon Hisgen School Social Work Consultant
(608)
Jon Hisgen
Health Education Consultant
(608)

28. DPI Contacts
Brenda Jennings Education Consultant, Suicide Prevention (608) Kathryn Bush School Psychology Consultant (608)