1. Suicide Awareness Your name here! Critical Concepts Consulting

2. Definition of Suicide “Suicide is a conscious act of self-induced annihilation, best understood as a multidimensional malaise in a needful individual who defines an issue for which the suicide is perceived as the best solution.” Dr. Ed Shneidman, Suicide as Psychache, 1993

3. Startling Statistics 2014 data u One suicide every 12.3 minutes u 10th ranking cause of death in the US u 1,069,325 suicide attempts every year (est.) u 15.1 million survivors of suicide u Each suicide affects at least 18 people intimately u Firearms used in 50% of suicides

4. Scope of the Problem 2014 Suicides 42,773 Unreported - 10% 4,277 Total 2014 47,050 Non-fatal (100:1) 4,705,000 Total 4,752,050 Those affected (18:1) 85,526,900 Total impacted 90,288,950

5. Critical Concepts Consulting Frequency of US suicides One Suicide every 12 minutes

6. Scope of the Problem 2010 Suicides 38,364 Unreported - 10% 3,836 Total 2006 42,200 Non-fatal (100:1) 4,220,000 Total 4,262,200 Affected (6:1) 25,573,200 Total impacted 29,835,400 Critical Concepts Consulting

7. Suicide Demographics Gender Female:male ratio is 3:1 for attempted suicide Female:male ratio is 1:4 for completed suicide

8. Critical Concepts Consulting Motivations for Suicide Loss or change in an important relationship To avoid or end perceived pain Escape intolerable situation Gain attention Manipulate/punish others Punish self Become a martyr

9. Critical Concepts Consulting Common myths about Suicide u u Happens without warning u u Low risk after mood improvement u u Once suicidal, always suicidal u u Intent on dying   So rare, they won’t do it u u Runs in the family u u No note ==> no suicide Don’t mention suicide

10. Critical Concepts Consulting Direct Verbal Clues I’m going to kill myself I wish I were dead You’d be better off without me I might as well be dead If …doesn’t happen, I’m going to end it I’m going to commit suicide

11. Critical Concepts Consulting Indirect Verbal Clues I can’t go on any longerI’m taking the plunge We all have to say goodbye sometime Nobody needs me anymore I’m tired of life You won’t be seeing me any more Life has lost meaning for me I can’t take it any more You’d be better off without me I can’t take the painEat my gun You’re going to regret how you treated me Cash in my chipsFold my hand

12. Critical Concepts Consulting Indirect Suicide Indicators Clues.... Clues.... Clues.... u u Buying a weapon u u Giving away possessions u u Making a will u u Talking about a long trip u u Taking unusual risks u u Changes in personality u u The “practice run” u u Sudden religious interest/ disinterest u u Substance abuse relapse

13. Major Predictors of Suicidal Behavior How:  Specificity of their plan  Availability of means  Lethality of method History:  A prior suicide attempt  A family history of suicide behaviors Help:  Resources available Critical Concepts Consulting

14. Important Questions Have you been thinking of hurting or killing yourself? è When did you last think about suicide? è How would you kill yourself? è Do you have the means available? è Have you ever attempted suicide? è Has anyone in your family attempted or completed suicide? è What are the odds that you will kill yourself? è What has been keeping you alive so far? è What do you think the future holds in store for you?

15. Striking a Balance Risk Factors Vulnerabilities Problems Develop Decreased Probability Of Suicide Increased Probability Of Suicide Protective Factors Strengths and Competencies “Resilience” Protective Factors Keep Risk Factors In Balance Critical Concepts Consulting

16. Do’s of Intervention u Remain calm u Accept their feelings u Rephrase thoughts u Focus on central issue u Stay close u Emphasize temporary nature of problem u Explore resources ** Listen ** Listen ** Listen **

17. Critical Concepts Consulting Don’t overlook signs u Don’t sound shocked u Don’t offer empty promises u Don’t try to cheer him/her up u Don’t debate morality u Don’t assume things will improve u Don’t leave person alone u Don’t keep it a secret Don’t remain the ONLY person helping Don’ts of Intervention

18. AID LIFE A A sk I I ntervene immediately D D on’t keep it a secret L L ocate help I I nform F F ind E E xpedite Critical Concepts Consulting

19. National Hotline Critical Concepts Consulting

20. Barricades to Seeking Help Denial Avoidance Anger Fear: seeking help will impact job Fear: chain of command or supervisor will be contacted Fear: hospitalization, being stigmatized Critical Concepts Consulting

21. Daniel W. Clark, Ph.D. Critical Concepts Consulting 2103 Harrison Avenue NW # 2183 Olympia, WA 98502-2607 (360)-786-0292 drdan@criticalconcepts.org Washington State Patrol 1405 Harrison Ave NW Suite 205 Olympia, WA 98502 (360)-586-8492 wsp-psych@att.net Web site: CriticalConcepts.org Critical Concepts Consulting