Suicide Prevention For Youth

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Suicide Prevention For Youth

• Presented by the
• Wyoming Suicide Prevention Task Force

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• It was on the last day of school when I tried
  to commit suicide. It was totally unexpected.
  The day before the kids were really teasing me,
  so I went up the tree I always used to climb. I
  tied a rope from its highest branch and then tied
  a noose around my neck. . . Mom caught me. She
  stopped me so I wouldnt choke to death.
• -Brandon Fletcher, suicide attempt survivor at
  age 12

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SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE

• About half of the youth who survive a suicide
  attempt will try again. The strongest predictor
  of youth suicide is a previous attempt.
• YOUR HELP IS NEEDED BECAUSE SUICIDE AFFECTS EACH
  AND EVERY ONE OF US.
• SAVING ONE LIFE

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Overview of U. S. Suicide in the General
Population

• 1.2 of all deaths are suicides
• 80 suicides per day
• 30,000 suicides per year
• 2,000 suicide attempts per day
• 730,000 suicide attempts per year

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Overview of U. S. Suicide in the General
Population

• Suicide is 11th leading cause of death
• 1.7 suicides for every homicide in America
• Twice as many die from suicide as from HIV/AIDS
• One out of every 62 Americans is a suicide
  attempt survivor

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Overview of U. S. Suicide in the General
Population

• Males die by suicide more often than females
  (41)
• 73 of suicide victims are white males.
• Females attempt suicide more often than males
  (31)

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National Youth Suicide Facts

• In 2000, 3 million students age 12 to 17 reported
  seriously considering suicide in the past year
• 37 of these students reported attempting suicide
  in the past year
• More teens and young adults die from suicide than
  from all other diseases combined

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Wyoming General Population Statistics

• State suicide rate in 2002 was 21/100,000
• 106 Wyoming citizens died by suicide
• Wyoming currently ranks first in the nation in
  the rate of suicide (2002).
• The suicide rate in the Mountain states
  consistently ranks the highest in the nation.

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Wyoming Youth Statistics

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among
  youth ages 15-24 in Wyoming.
• 23 of all suicides in Wyoming in 2002 were among
  youth, age 15-24.
• Wyomings rate of suicide among youth age 15-24
  is 32 per 100,000 population of that age group.
  The national rate is about 10.

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Wyoming Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2003

• One of every 6 middle school students surveyed
  have ever made a plan to kill themselves.
• One of every 6 high school students surveyed made
  a plan to kill themselves within the last 12
  months.
• About 1 in 10 high school students have attempted
  suicide in the past 12 months.

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Wyoming Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2003

• About 1 of every 3 high school students surveyed
  reported that during the past 12 months, they
  felt so sad and hopeless every day for 2 weeks or
  more that they stopped doing some usual
  activities.

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Suicide Among Youth

• Most suicide attempts among youth occur in the
  afternoon or early evening in the teens home.
• Most youth suicide attempts are preceded by
  interpersonal conflicts.
• Repeat attempters use their behavior as a way to
  cope with stressors in their life.

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Suicide Among Youth

• Over half of teens who die by suicide abuse
  substances.
• Three of four teens who are aware of anothers
  suicidal thoughts do not tell an adult.

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Suicide and Mental Illness

• 90 of people who die by suicide suffer from a
  mental illness.

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Nature of Mental Illness
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Mental Illness

• Nearly half of Americans will suffer from one or
  more mental illnesses during their lifetime
• One of every 3 Americans will experience an
  episode of mental illness each year

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What is Mental Illness?

• A variety of medical conditions involving
  disorders of thoughts and/or emotions
• Chemical imbalance in the brain
• Family history of mental illness and stressful
  life events can be contributing factors
• Effective treatments are available

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Signs of Depression

• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Sudden changes in eating, appearance, or behavior
  patterns
• Sleeping all the time or not sleeping at all
• Secretive behavior
• Dramatic change in friends
• Death and suicidal themes appearing in artwork,
  writing, or school work

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Signs of Depression

• Increased irritability, restlessness or agitation
• Persistent sadness
• Frequent physical complaints such as headaches
  and stomachaches
• Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
• Over-reaction or criticism

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• Everyone feels low or down at times. When sad
  feelings persist and begin to interfere with the
  ability to function in daily life, it could be
  depression
• Suicide can occur when emotional pain is not
  tolerable.

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Suicide Risk Factors

• Prior suicide attempt
• History of physical or sexual abuse
• Mental illness
• Impulsivity
• Exposure to suicide in family or friends

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Suicide Risk Factors

• Recent severe stressor (e.g., school failure,
  real or imagined loss, unplanned pregnancy, or
  sexual orientation issues)
• Family loss, instability or severe conflict
• Alcohol and/or drug abuse or intoxication
• Access to lethal means

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Suicide Risk Factors

• Giving away valued possessions
• Suicide threats and statements (I wont be
  around here much longer)
• Making a suicide plan

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Myths and Facts

• Myth People who attempt suicide rarely actually
  reach out or give clues to others about their
  state of mind.
• Fact People who commit suicide often do give a
  clue or warning of their intentions. HOWEVER,
  anywhere from 5 - 50 of school age youth who
  die by suicide do not give consistent warning
  signals.

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Myths and Facts

• Myth The suicidal person wants to die and feels
  there is no turning back.
• Fact Suicidal persons often do not want to die
  but see no other way to end their pain.

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Myths and Facts

• Myth Persons who experience an episode of
  suicidal thinking tend to remain in this state of
  mind forever.
• Fact Suicidal thinking is often a relatively
  brief reaction to circumstances. Over time,
  individuals can learn to deal more effectively
  with lifes challenges.

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Myths and Facts

• Myth If you ask a person directly, Do you feel
  like killing yourself? this will lead to a
  suicide attempt.
• Fact Asking a person directly about suicidal
  intent will often relieve the anxiety surrounding
  the feeling and act as a deterrent to the
  suicidal behavior.

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Myth and Facts

• Myth Talking about suicide and self-destructive
  behavior is just a bid for attention and should
  be ignored.
• Fact Suicidal talk and self-destructive
  behavior are serious and can be lethal. Anyone
  who behaves self-destructively could benefit from
  professional help.

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Myths and Facts

• Myth Feeling better after a suicidal crisis
  means that the suicidal risk is over.
• Fact When a suicidal person begins to feel
  better, he/she may have made the decision to die
  and is no longer struggling with the pressures of
  living. Even if the person has decided to live,
  he/she will still be confronted with problems and
  responsibilities. A supportive relationship
  during and after a crisis is critical to the
  healing process.

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Myths and Facts

• Myth Only mental health professionals can
  prevent suicide.
• Fact Intervention by family and friends can be
  an important and significant part of suicide
  prevention.

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What Can You Do?

• Listen to the individual
• Encourage the person to share their feelings
• Know and look for suicide risk factors
• Talk with the person about your concerns
• Tell them you care and want to help
• Speak with care and compassion
• Ask directly about thoughts of suicide

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What Can You Do?

• Take reports of suicidal ideation seriously
• Contact a reliable family member or close friend
• Get professional help
• Even if the person resists, call 911 if necessary
• Offer to take them to the emergency room or a
  mental health professional
• Offer to help them schedule an appointment
• Follow-up to make sure the person is getting help

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What Can You Do?

• Dont leave them alone
• Be calm - dont act shocked or be judgmental
• Dont swear to keep it a secret
• Dont try to counsel the person
• Limit access to firearms and other means of
  suicide

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What Can You Say?

• Ive noticed youre feeling upset
• Whats going on in your life?
• Are you thinking about suicide?
• What do you think might help?
• Where would you like to seek help?
• Why dont we make the call together?
• Im not going to feel comfortable without being
  sure youre going to get some help.

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Where To Seek Help

• A trusted adult
• School Personnel
• Mental Health Professionals
• Physicians/Nurses
• Other health care professionals
• 911/Law Enforcement

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Does Suicide Prevention Education Work?

• The most important task is to become informed
  in order to get beyond our fears so that we act
  effectively if a crisis arises. We must be
  knowledgeable about the warning signs that 75 of
  suicidal persons present. We must know where to
  get help for the person in crisis. And, we need
  to know what we can do to help.
• Former U.S. Surgeon General
• David Satcher, M.D.

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Questions?