Hurting from the Inside Out: Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Strategies

Suicide is currently the 3rd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24, and the 2nd leading cause of death in Texas. School counselors are responsible for raising awareness about suicide prevention, teaching coping skills to students who exhibit suicidal behaviors and ideation, and responsible for providing counseling services after a completed or attempted suicide. The purpose of this presentation is to raise awareness about youth suicide.

Transcript

1. Hurting from the Inside Out: Youth Suicide Awareness & Prevention Strategies Texas School Counselor Association Conference February 10, 2014 - Houston, TX LaWanda N. Evans, EdD, LPC, CSC School Suicide Prevention Specialist
2. Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Test your knowledge Suicide Facts Risk Factors Warning Signs Verbal Signs Behaviors You May See Prevention Strategies Goals of Postvention
3. Test your Knowledge
4. Question 1 Approximately how many young people between the ages of 15 and 24 die every day from suicide? 8 9 10 11
5. 11 11 young people between 15 and 24 yours old commit suicide every day in the United States. It is ranked as the third leading cause of death for this age group behind accidents and homicide. For every completed suicide, it is estimated that there are between 100 and 200 attempts.
6. Question 2 Are females or males more likely to complete suicide? Females Males Both are the same
7. Males In 2001, males 20 to 24 were approximately 6.6 times more likely than females to commit suicide and males 15 to 19 were 4.8 times more likely than females to commit suicide. However, females are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide.
8. Question 3 True or False: It’s better to NOT talk about suicide with someone who may be thinking about it because you’ll just encourage them. True False
9. False Having a serious, compassionate conversation without passing judgment shows that you are concerned for the person’s well-being and want to understand their pain. When talking with someone about suicide, keep an open mind to their problems and feelings, but don’t pretend you have all the answers. Asking someone openly if they are thinking of killing themselves will not push them over the edge.
10. Question 4 It is impossible to tell if someone intends to commit suicide. True False
11. False Although individuals thinking about suicide may not share their intentions, there are numerous warning signs that are commonly exhibited and recognizable.
12. Question 5 Once I start to help someone who is considering suicide, I feel emotionally drained. True False
13. True Your concern for a person’s wellbeing shows them that you care and are willing to help them get help. Always seek support from a professional. Helping someone considering suicide can be emotionally draining for you too and it is okay to talk with someone about what you are going through physically and emotionally. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!
14. Suicide facts
15. Suicide Facts • Suicide ranks third as a cause of death among young (15-24) Americans. • In Texas, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15 year olds. • Research has shown that most adolescent suicides occur after school hours and in the teen’s home. American Association of Suicidology. (2010). Some facts about suicide. Washington, DC.
16. Suicide Facts  Every day, 14 young people ages 15-24 commit suicide, or approximately 1 every 100 minutes.  Females attempt suicide 3x more often than males.  Males complete suicide 4x more often than females.  53% of young people who commit suicide abuse substances. American Association of Suicidology. (2010). Some facts about suicide. Washington, DC.
17. Suicide Facts  Gay, lesbian, or bi-sexual youth have a 2-3 times greater risk of committing suicide than heterosexual youth.  For every death caused by suicide, it is estimated that there are 6 survivors of suicide attempts.  27% of high school students have thought about suicide. 16% had a plan. 8% made an attempt.  The Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration has declared suicide as a mental health problem. American Association of Suicidology. (2010). Some facts about suicide. Washington, DC.
18. Risk factors
19. Risk Factors • Depression and/or feelings of hopelessness • Sexual identity Concerns • Divorce • Family and/or community violence • Stress to perform and achieve • Threat of AIDS or any physical illness that is chronic or terminal • Loss of a significant person
20. Risk Factors, cont.  Break-up of a relationship  Pregnancy/abortion  Alcohol and drug abuse  Distorted thinking patterns – Negative self-talk or catastrophic thinking  Sexual or physical assault • Availability of lethal methods
21. Risk Factors, cont.  Family history  Being exposed to suicide (school, friends, media reports)  Impulsivity  Psychological distress  Perfectionism  Poor coping skills and problem-solving skills
22. Warning signs
23. Warning Signs • Looking for ways to kill oneself • Feeling trapped, like there’s no way out • Withdrawing from friends, family, and society • No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life • Loss of interest in person appearance American Association of Suicidology. (2010). Some facts about suicide. Washington, DC.
24. Warning Signs • Lack of interest in academics (declining grades/failures) • Truancy/Increased absenteeism • Dropping out of extra-curricular activities • Neglect of personal appearance • Noticeable weight loss or gain
25. Warning Signs • Insomnia or increased sleep • Fatigue • More frequent injuries or bruises (self-mutilation) • Increased disciplinary actions • Increased arguing with peers and staff • Mood swings
26. Warning Signs • Negative change in peer group • Vandalism/stealing/illegal actions • Withdrawal from peers/family/faculty • Low self esteem • Feelings of loneliness and isolation • Desire to/speaks of running away
27. Warning Signs • History of suicide attempts • History of suicide in family (especially on anniversary of suicide) • Giving away valued possessions • Planning a funeral • Poor adjustment to death of a loved one • Sudden, unexpected break from depression
28. Warning Signs • Talk of suicide or death • Pre-occupation with death in writing or art • Access to/possession of a weapon, especially firearm • Sense that parents do not understand them or their emotions • Expressions of hopelessness or powerlessness and lack of control
29. Verbal Signs
30. Verbal Signs • “I’m so tired. I don’t feel like I can take this any longer.” • “I don’t want to be a bother anymore.” • “You won’t be able to treat me like this much longer.” • “You won’t be able to take it out on me much longer.” • “Who cares if I’m dead.” • “What’s the point of living.” American Association of Suicidology. (2010). Some facts about suicide. Washington, DC.
31. Educational, Mental Health, and Home Perspective Behaviors you May See
32. What You May See: From an Educational Perspective  Tardiness  Absenteeism  Poor grades  Truancy  Low math or reading scores  Failing one or more grades  Rebellious attitudes toward school authority  Verbal and language deficiency  Inability to tolerate structured activities  Dropping out of school  Aggressive behaviors or violence Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide Prevention in the Schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
33. What You May See: From a Mental Health Perspective  Drug and alcohol use and abuse  Eating disorders  Gang membership  Pregnancy  Suicide or suicide ideation  Depression  Sexual acting out  Aggression  Withdrawal or isolation  Low self-esteem  School-related problems  Family problems Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide Prevention in the Schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
34. What You May See: From a Home Perspective  Failing to obey rules or directives  Avoiding taking part in family activities  Spending a great deal of time alone in their room  Being secretive about friends and activities  Not communicating with parents and siblings  Displaying values and attitudes different from family  Resisting going to school or discussing school activities  Arguing about everything  Staying away from home as much as possible Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide Prevention in the Schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
35. Prevention Strategies
36. Prevention Strategies • Raising Awareness • Suicide Education – Staff, Student, Parent • Individual or group counseling • Counseling referral • Collaborating with administrators • Training faculty/staff in-service • School-Based Suicide Crisis Team • Classroom presentations • Screening and assessment Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide Prevention in the Schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
37. Prevention Strategies Identifying Protective Factors • Social network/support – being connected • Reasons for living – having a sense of purpose • Self-efficacy – perceived ability in coping with problems • Emotional well-being • Problem-solving skills – ability to solve life’s problems • Religion – engaging in faith-based activities Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide Prevention in the Schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
38. Postvention
39. Goals of Postvention  Reduce the risk of cluster of suicides  Provide support  Address social stigma  Provide information Juhnke, G., Granello, D. & Granello, P. (2011). Suicide, Self-Injury, and Violence in Schools: Assessment, prevention and intervention strategies. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
40. Ways to be helpful
41. Helpful numbers
42. Helpful Numbers • Crisis Line – 972-233-2233 • Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas – 214-828-1000 • Hopeline: 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433) • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
43. Resources
44. Resources • American Association of Suicidology • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Suicide Resources • I Am Here Coalition • Jason Foundation • National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association • NAMI
45. Resources • National Mental Health Association • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline • NIMH Suicide Research Consortium • SA/VE (Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education • Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN) • SOS – Signs of Suicide Program • Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide 1999 • Texas Suicide Prevention
46. References • American Association of Suicidology. (2010). Some facts about suicide. Washington, DC. • Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide Prevention in the Schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. • Juhnke, G., Granello, D. & Granello, P. (2011). Suicide, Self-Injury, and Violence in Schools: Assessment, prevention and intervention strategies. New Jersey: John Wiley& Sons. • Opalewski, D. (2008). Answering the Cry for Help. A Suicide prevention manual for schools and communities. Chattanooga, TN: National Center for Youth Issues
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