Suicide Prevention

1
Suicide Prevention

• Kristin L. Cox, MA
• ISC Seattle

2
Suicide Prevention

• Kristin L. Cox, MA
• ISC Seattle

3
Stats

• 16.5 per 100,000 die every year
• At least 25 attempts for every death
• At least 6 are impacted for each
• Marine Corps had 33 deaths last year
• 102 attempts
• 612 impacted

4
Motivations For Suicide

• Loss or change in important relationship, job, or
  status
• To avoid or end perceived pain
• To escape an intolerable situation
• To gain attention
• To manipulate or punish others, or punish self
• To become a martyr

5
Common Myths

• Suicide usually occurs without warning
• Once someone is suicidal, theyre always suicidal
• Suicidal people are intent on dying
• Most suicides occur in the Winter (holiday
  season)
• Talking about it increases the likelihood of
  doing it
• There was no note, so it was not a suicide
• Suicide is more common in lower class people
• Non-lethal attempts should not be taken seriously
  because the person just wants attention

6
Clues to Suicidal Thinking

• Depression
• Feeling Hopeless, helpless, worthless
• Substance abuse
• Prepares affairs for death
• Gives away possessions
• Focuses on death
• Changes in mood, behavior, personality

• Lack of energy
• Rigid or irrational thinking
• Extreme anger or stress
• Stops caring about self, hygiene
• Decline in performance
• Withdraws
• Negative view of self, world, future

7
Risk Factors

• Prolonged stress
• Major transitions
• Powerlessness
• Past abuse
• Substance Abuse
• Mental health problems

• Family problems
• Perceived failures
• Negative social interactions
• Legal problems
• Recent loss
• Firearm in home

8
Military suicides

• Relationship
• Finances
• Criminal acts
• Hx alcohol abuse
• Under investigation
• Military legal problems

• White
• Male
• Dont seek mental health
• Multiple indicators
• Firearms

9
Protective factors

• Self-efficacy
• Optimism
• Personal control
• Belonging
• Coping skills
• Problem solving skills
• Social support

• Interconnectedness
• Marriage
• Spiritual affiliation
• Access to resources
• Community participation
• OK to seek help

10
Things That SustainMy Life
goals
mental health/ medical supports
health
friends
family
responsibilities
financial security
religion
coping skills resiliency
faith/ hope
work
things to do In the future
hobbies and recreations
0 2 . 1 2 1
11
TELL

• If you are having thoughts of suicide,
• TELL someone exactly what you are saying to
  yourself, as directly and clearly as
  possible.Their reaction will TELL you if they can
  help.
• Find several people who take you seriously and
  are willing to help.

0 2 . 1 1 5 . 4
12
ASK

• Once you have any suspicion that someone might be
  thinking about suicide, ASK them exactly that as
  directly, clearly and as soon as possible.
• Dont let anything distract you from ASKing.

0 2 . 1 1 6 . 3
13
Important Questions

• Have you been thinking about hurting or killing
  yourself?
• What caused you to feel this way?
• How are you coping with this?
• Have you attempted suicide before?
• What has kept you alive so far?
• How would you kill yourself?
• Do you have the means available?
• When do you plan to do it?

14
LISTEN
Encourage the person at risk to TALK by being a
good LISTENer.
If you cant LISTEN to what they need to
say, they likely wont TALK.
Likely they have not TALKed to anyone about
suicide, although they may have tried many times.
Their TALKing (to someone who is really
LISTENing) can be very helpful, all by itself.
0 2 . 1 1 7 . 3
15
KEEP SAFE
Now is NOT the time to solve all of the problems.
NOW is the time to do something that keeps
the person at risk SAFE.
Do not promise secrecy.
Remove means that might be used to complete a
suicidal act.
GET HELP!
0 2 . 1 1 8 . 6
16
Donts of Helping

• Dont act shocked
• Dont offer empty promises
• Dont judge or moralize
• Dont leave them alone
• Dont say I know how you feel
• Dont keep it a secret
• Dont be the only one helping them