1 mary & victor ojakian october 14, 2009 1 suicide prevention workshop evergreen valley college...

11Mary & Victor Ojakian Mary & Victor Ojakian October 14, 2009October 14, 2009

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Suicide Prevention WorkshopSuicide Prevention WorkshopEvergreen Valley College Evergreen Valley College

October 14, 2009October 14, 2009


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Suicide Prevention WorkshopSuicide Prevention Workshop Evergreen Valley College Evergreen Valley College

Agenda Agenda

Topics Topics • Basic InformationBasic Information• Suicide Risks, Warning Signs, and Protective Factors Suicide Risks, Warning Signs, and Protective Factors • Myths About Suicide PreventionMyths About Suicide Prevention• Helping Someone With Suicide IdeationHelping Someone With Suicide Ideation• Suicide “Survivors”Suicide “Survivors”• Available Help / ResourcesAvailable Help / Resources• Some WebsitesSome Websites

Ending RemarkEnding Remark

ContactContact


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Suicide Prevention Basic Information Suicide Prevention Basic Information

Suicide: a significant national, public health crisis (US Surgeon General, Suicide: a significant national, public health crisis (US Surgeon General, 1999)1999)

Limited public awareness, understanding, or conversation: Stigma on Limited public awareness, understanding, or conversation: Stigma on Steroids (SoS)Steroids (SoS)

An underlying mental health need, especially mood disorders, An underlying mental health need, especially mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorders.schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorders.

No gene identified, though generic causeNo gene identified, though generic cause

No medication treatment, though lithium and clozapine are effectiveNo medication treatment, though lithium and clozapine are effective

Some best practice treatments: therapy, including Cognitive and Some best practice treatments: therapy, including Cognitive and Dialectic Behavior TherapyDialectic Behavior Therapy


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Basic Information Basic Information

Some statistics on death by suicide: Some statistics on death by suicide: • Every Every sixteen (16) minutessixteen (16) minutes an American dies an American dies• 32,000 Americans die annually32,000 Americans die annually• 4,000 deceased below the age of 244,000 deceased below the age of 24• 10 to 20 times more Americans attempt suicide – 10 to 20 times more Americans attempt suicide –

520,000 to 720,000 attempts520,000 to 720,000 attempts• 3,300 3,300 Californians die Californians die annuallyannually• Increase rate of suicide by young people since 2004

• For more information see: For more information see: http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/statedatasheets/sprc_national_data.pdf

http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/statedatasheets/sprc_national_data.pdf

http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/statedatasheets/sprc_national_data.pdf


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Basic Information, continued Basic Information, continued

Suicide data in Santa Clara County: Suicide data in Santa Clara County:

• Between 100 to 160 deaths annuallyBetween 100 to 160 deaths annually

• Rate: 6.7 per 100,000 (low rate for California counties)Rate: 6.7 per 100,000 (low rate for California counties)

•

• Attempts range from 600 to 900 annuallyAttempts range from 600 to 900 annually

• Suicidal ideation: about 3,000 people annually (Santa Clara Suicidal ideation: about 3,000 people annually (Santa Clara

County Suicide and Crisis Hotline data)County Suicide and Crisis Hotline data)

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West Valley College: West Valley College: National College Health Assessment (NCHA) – Spring 2007National College Health Assessment (NCHA) – Spring 2007

Factors Impacting Academic Performance:Factors Impacting Academic Performance:• StressStress 32.2%32.2%• Sleep DifficultiesSleep Difficulties 26.126.1• Cold/Flu/Sore ThroatCold/Flu/Sore Throat 23.623.6• Concern for Troubled Friend or Family MemberConcern for Troubled Friend or Family Member 21.321.3• Depression/Anxiety Disorder/Seasonal Affective DisorderDepression/Anxiety Disorder/Seasonal Affective Disorder 15.615.6• Relationship DifficultyRelationship Difficulty

14.114.1• Internet Use/ Computer GamesInternet Use/ Computer Games

13.313.3• Death of friend or Family MemberDeath of friend or Family Member 12.012.0• Attention Deficit DisorderAttention Deficit Disorder 11.411.4• Sinus Infection/Ear Infection /Bronchitis/Strep Throat Sinus Infection/Ear Infection /Bronchitis/Strep Throat 9.69.6• Learning Disability Learning Disability 8.28.2• Alcohol UseAlcohol Use 6.06.0• InjuryInjury 5.25.2• AllergiesAllergies 5.05.0• Drug UseDrug Use 4.14.1• Chronic IllnessChronic Illness 3.93.9• Eating Disorder/ProblemEating Disorder/Problem 3.03.0• Chronic Pain Chronic Pain 2.4 2.4

Mary & Victor Ojakian Mary & Victor Ojakian October 14, 2009October 14, 2009

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QuoteQuote

““It was simply the end of what I could bear, the last It was simply the end of what I could bear, the last afternoon of having to imagine waking up the next morning only afternoon of having to imagine waking up the next morning only to start over again with a thick mind and black imaginings. It to start over again with a thick mind and black imaginings. It was the final outcome of a bad disease, a disease it seemed to was the final outcome of a bad disease, a disease it seemed to me I would never get the better of. No amount of love from or me I would never get the better of. No amount of love from or for other people – and there was a lot – could help. No for other people – and there was a lot – could help. No advantage of a caring family and fabulous job was enough to advantage of a caring family and fabulous job was enough to overcome the pain and hopelessness I felt; no passionate or overcome the pain and hopelessness I felt; no passionate or romantic love, however strong, could make a difference. romantic love, however strong, could make a difference. Nothing alive and warm could make its way in through my Nothing alive and warm could make its way in through my carapace. I knew my life to be a shambles, and I believed – carapace. I knew my life to be a shambles, and I believed – incontestably – that my family, friends, and patients would be incontestably – that my family, friends, and patients would be better off without me. There wasn’t much of me left anymore better off without me. There wasn’t much of me left anymore anyway, and I thought my death would free up the wasted anyway, and I thought my death would free up the wasted energies and well-meant efforts that were being wasted in my energies and well-meant efforts that were being wasted in my behalf.” behalf.”

Kay Redfield Jamison, Kay Redfield Jamison, Night Falls FastNight Falls Fast (p 290 – 291), about her suicide attempt at age 28 (p 290 – 291), about her suicide attempt at age 28

Mary & Victor Ojakian Mary & Victor Ojakian October 14, 2009October 14, 2009


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Suicide Risk Factors Suicide Risk Factors

Be aware of factors (risks) that make a person more vulnerable: • Hopelessness• Major mental health disorders (mostly major depression) • Alcohol and other substance abuse disorders • Previous suicide attempt(s) • Easy access to lethal means • Local clusters of suicides (contagion)• Lack of social support and sense of isolation • Stigma associated with help-seeking behavior • Trauma and childhood abuse• Media exposure to suicide and the influence of high profile death(s) by

suicide

• Additional information at: http://www.sprc.org/library/srisk.pdf

• Source: Suicide Prevention Resource Center

http://www.sprc.org/library/srisk.pdf


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Suicide Warning SignsSuicide Warning Signs There are behaviors (warning signs) that cause concern:

• Threatening to hurt or kill themselves • Seeking a method (means) • Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide• Feelings of hopelessness • Showing rage or anger• Acting reckless or doing risky activities• Trapped feeling• Excess alcohol or drugs use• Withdrawn behavior and sleeping problems • Dramatic mood changes• Expressing no reason for living

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)


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Suicide Prevention Actions and Protective Factors Suicide Prevention Actions and Protective Factors

There are actions (protective factors) that can help prevent a suicide: • Effective clinical care • Easy access to clinical interventions and support • Restrict access to lethal methods (means) • Strong family and community support • Ongoing medical and mental health care• Developing skills to avoid risky behaviors• Supportive cultural and religious beliefs

Additional information at: http://www.sprc.org/library/srisk.pdf Source: Suicide Prevention Resource Center

http://www.sprc.org/library/srisk.pdf


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Myths About Suicide Prevention Myths About Suicide Prevention

Myth: People who talk about suicide do not commit suicide.Myth: People who talk about suicide do not commit suicide. Fact: Most people who commit suicide have talked about or given definite Fact: Most people who commit suicide have talked about or given definite

warning signs of their suicidal intentions.warning signs of their suicidal intentions.

Myth: Suicide happens without warning.Myth: Suicide happens without warning. Fact: There are almost always warning signs, but others are often unaware Fact: There are almost always warning signs, but others are often unaware

of the significance of the warnings or unsure about what to do.of the significance of the warnings or unsure about what to do.

Myth: Suicidal people are fully intent on dying. Nothing others do or say can Myth: Suicidal people are fully intent on dying. Nothing others do or say can help.help.

Fact: Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; Fact: Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.

Reference: Reference: American Association of SuicidologyAmerican Association of Suicidology


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Myths About Suicide Prevention Myths About Suicide Prevention

Myth: Once someone is suicidal, they are suicidal forever.Myth: Once someone is suicidal, they are suicidal forever. Fact: Most suicidal people are suicidal for only limited periods of time. Fact: Most suicidal people are suicidal for only limited periods of time.

However, someone who has made an attempt is at increased risk for future However, someone who has made an attempt is at increased risk for future attempts.attempts.

Myth: Suicide strikes most often among the rich, or conversely, among the Myth: Suicide strikes most often among the rich, or conversely, among the poor.poor.

Fact: Suicide cuts across social and economic boundaries.Fact: Suicide cuts across social and economic boundaries.

The San Francisco Suicide Prevention Crisis Line quiz: The San Francisco Suicide Prevention Crisis Line quiz: http://www.sfsuicide.org/html/quiz.html http://www.sfsuicide.org/html/quiz.html

Reference: Reference: American Association of SuicidologyAmerican Association of Suicidology


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Helping Someone With Suicide Ideation Helping Someone With Suicide Ideation

What training and knowledge would help to prevent a suicide:

• Gatekeeper training: QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer

• Mental Health First Aid

• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) – for first responders

See SPRC for best practices: http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr/index.asp

Source: CrisisLink: http://www.crisislink.org/CrisisLink: http://www.crisislink.org/


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Suicide Prevention WorkshopSuicide Prevention Workshop Evergreen Valley College Evergreen Valley College Helping A Suicidal PersonHelping A Suicidal Person

Listen attentively to everything that the person has to say Comfort the person with words of encouragement Let the person know that you are deeply concerned If the person is at a high risk of suicide, do not leave him

or her alone Talk openly about suicide When in doubt about what to do, call 911 immediately. Be

safe Don't promise confidentiality

Source: Suicide.org


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Suicide Survivors Suicide Survivors Survivor definition: people who have lost a loved one to suicide

Survivors’ reactions: (Night Falls Fast by Kay Redfield Jamison)

• Denial, disbelief and depression

• Anger and rage

• Intense loneliness and a pervasive sense of loss

• Blame and guilt

Survivor support and grief groups: • American Foundation For Suicide Prevention• County Mental Health support group• Local grief support groups (e.g., KARA)


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Available Help / Resources Available Help / Resources

Suicide and Crisis Hotline numbers:Suicide and Crisis Hotline numbers:• National: 1-800-273-TALKNational: 1-800-273-TALK• San Francisco: (415) 781-0500 San Mateo: (650) 579-0353 San Francisco: (415) 781-0500 San Mateo: (650) 579-0353 • Santa Clara: (408) 683-2482 (south) and (650) 494-8420 (north)Santa Clara: (408) 683-2482 (south) and (650) 494-8420 (north)

Santa Clara County Urgent Care and Emergency Psychiatric Services Santa Clara County Urgent Care and Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS)(EPS)

Your school psychology centerYour school psychology center

County and community mental health providers and agenciesCounty and community mental health providers and agencies

Palo Alto Veterans Hospital and County Office of Veterans ServicesPalo Alto Veterans Hospital and County Office of Veterans Services

Golden Gateways, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (elderly) Golden Gateways, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (elderly)


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Some WebsitesSome Websites

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSPAFSP) ) http://www.afsp.org/http://www.afsp.org/

American Association of Suicidology (AAS) American Association of Suicidology (AAS) http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/homehttp://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/home

Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) http://www.sprc.org/http://www.sprc.org/

California Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) California Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) http://www.dmh.ca.gov/PEIStatewideProjects/SuicidePrevention.asphttp://www.dmh.ca.gov/PEIStatewideProjects/SuicidePrevention.asp

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org/http://www.nami.org/

Jed Foundation: Jed Foundation: http://www.jedfoundation.org/ http://www.jedfoundation.org/


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Ending Remark Ending Remark

""For some, talking about suicide is awkward. Our goal is For some, talking about suicide is awkward. Our goal is to stop suicides, and to do that we need everyone's to stop suicides, and to do that we need everyone's willingness to talk about it.“willingness to talk about it.“

Dr. Ileana Arias, director of CDC's National Center for Dr. Ileana Arias, director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (News release September Injury Prevention and Control (News release September 6, 2007)6, 2007)


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The End The End

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

1 mary & victor ojakian october 14, 2009 1 suicide prevention workshop evergreen valley college...

Documents

rate of suicide

suicide prevention myths

continued suicide data

mary victor ojakian

mood disorders

anxiety disorders

remark contact contact

dialectic behavior therapy