SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

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SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS
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Myths and Facts

• People who talk about suicide wont really do
  anything.
• Only the mentally ill attempt to die by suicide
• Girls attempt suicide more often than boys.

FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
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Myths and Facts

• Talking openly about suicide increases the
  chances that they will attempt suicide.
• If a person has made up his/her mind, there is
  nothing that will prevent the suicide.

FALSE
FALSE
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National Statistics

• It is the 4th ranking cause of death for
  adolescents.
• One young person commits suicide every hour, 57.9
  minutes.
• Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other
  people.

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Did You Know.?

• There are WCPSS students who have died by suicide
  each year.
• Of these, some have been middle school
  students.

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Who Can Help?

• Anyone who recognizes the warning
  signs can do something.

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WARNING SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

• Eating changes (overeating, under eating)
• Sleep changes, tired all the time
• Change in school work, difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, helpless
• Changes in personality sad, irritable,
  withdrawn, anxious
• Not as interested in normal activities

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WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE

• Verbal or Written Threats
• I hate my life. I wish I was never born. Id be
  better off dead.
• I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up.
• I cant take life anymore. Theres no point in
  going on.
• Themes of death or suicide in artwork or essays
• Giving away special possessions
• Talking about suicide, previous suicide attempts
• Withdrawing from family and friends, hopelessness
• Alcohol/drug use or taking unnecessary risks

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WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE

• Difficulty eating and sleeping
• Physical symptoms or pains
• Drop in School Performance
• Loss of interest in hobbies, school, appearance
• Self destructive behavior
• Recent loss, death of a loved one, end of a
  romantic relationship.

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What can you do?

• Take the threat seriously.
• Listen and show that you care.
• Im worried about you and how you feel.
• I care about you and how youre holding up.
• Talk openly and ask questions.
• Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?
• And most importantly.
• Ask for helptell a counselor, parent, teacher,
  another adult.

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Do Not

• Be sworn to secrecy. You must get support from
  others to help your friend. This is life and
  death. An angry friend is better than a dead
  friend.
• Leave him/her alone.
• Do not think this is a joke.
• Do not try to be a therapist. Get professional
  help.

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What happens when you tell us about a student?

• We will talk with the student, family, and make
  additional referrals for counseling if needed.

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Questions?