ask a question, save a life qpr © terri lucero osborn, ph.d. katie dunker, m.s

Ask A Question, Save A Life

QPRQPR

©

Terri Lucero Osborn, Ph.D.

Katie Dunker, M.S.

Suicide Stats

31,484 deaths annually*

attributed to suicide*2003 Data

2002 31,6552001 30,622

2000 29,3501999 29,199

1998 30,5751997 30,535

1996 30,903

Suicide is a leading cause of death Rank & Cause Number of

deaths

• 1. Diseases of the heart 685,089• 2. Malignant neoplasms (cancer) 556,902• 3. Cerebrovascular diseases (strokes) 157,689• 4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases 126,382• 5. Accidents 109,277• 6. Diabetes 74,219• 7. Pneumonia and influenza 65,163• 8. Alzheimer’s disease 63,487• 9. Nephritis, nephrosis (kidney disease) 42,453• 10. Septicemia 34,069• 11. SUICIDE 31,484

Ranking 11th in the USA

1 suicide every 16.7 minutes

or

86 suicides every day

3,988 young people

(age 15-24)complete suicide each year

a rate of one suicide every two hours

2nd Leading Cause of Death for College Students!

(3rd for 15-24 year olds)

Mental Health on Campus

• Within the last 12 months, how many college students reported experiencing:– Depression 17.8%– Anxiety Disorder 12.4% – Seasonal Affective Disorder 8.1% – Substance Abuse problem 3.4%– Bulimia 2.3%– Anorexia 1.9%

Academic ImpactsWithin the last school year students reported the

following factors affecting their individual academic performance.

• Stress 32%• Cold/Flu/Sore Throat 26%• Sleep Difficulties 23.9%• Concern for a troubled friend or family member

18%• Depression/Anxiety Disorder/Season Affective

Disorder 15.7%• Relationship Difficulty 15.6%

Depression in collegereported in the last year

• Feeling so depressed it was difficult to function:– 1 to 10 times 36.7%– 11+ times 7.1%

• Seriously considering attempting suicide:– 1 to 10 times 8.4%– 11+ times 0.9%

• Attempting suicide:– 1 to 10 times 1.2%– 11+ times 0.1%

Depression in College• Students reported diagnosed with depression:

– Males = 9.8%– Females = 17.7%– Overall, 14.8%

• Of those students reporting ever having been diagnosed with depression:– 34.4% diagnosed in the last school year– 26.4% currently in therapy for depression– 36.6% currently taking medication for depression

Risk Factors• Male• White• 15-24 years old• Alcohol/Substance Abuse• Depression/Mood Disorder• Relationship Conflict• Any Previous Suicide Attempts

!!!

And… living in the Rocky Mountain States?

WHY?

What area of the US do you think has the LOWEST rates of suicide?

01 Wyoming 21.8 18 Washington 13.1 35 Texas 10.702 Montana 19.6 19 Tennessee 13.0 36 Maine 10.5 03 Nevada 19.4 20 North Dakota 12.8 37 Hawaii 10.404 Alaska 19.1 21 Kansas 12.7 38 Louisiana 10.305 New Mexico 18.3 22 New Hampshire 12.3 39 Michigan 10.206 Oregon 16.6 23 Iowa 12.0 40 Nebraska 10.107 Colorado 16.0 24 Missouri 11.9 41 Minnesota 9.808 Idaho 15.9 24 Indiana 11.9 42 California

9.609 Arizona 15.1 26 Wisconsin 11.8 43 Ohio 9.410 West Virginia 14.7 27 Mississippi 11.7 44 Maryland 8.911 Utah 14.3 28 Alabama 11.6 45 Illinois

8.012 Kentucky 13.8 29 Delaware 11.5 46 Connecticut 7.813 Arkansas 13.7 29 South Carolina 11.5 46 Rhode Island 7.814 Oklahoma 13.6 31 North Carolina 11.4 48 New Jersey 6.815 Florida 13.5 32 Georgia 11.2 49 Massachusetts

6.716 Vermont 13.4 33 Virginia 10.9 50 Dist of Columbia 6.416 South Dakota 13.4 34 Pennsylvania 10.8 51 New York 6.1

USA Total Rate 10.8

National ranking and rate of suicide, 2003

(Rates are per 100,000 people)

What about the Holidays or Winter? Is that a time of “risk”?

Alcohol/Drugs

Means & Opportunity

Upset or in Crisis

The

Lethal

Triad

Estimates on attempted suicide

25 attempts for each documented death

(Note: 31,484 suicides translates into 787,100 attempts annually)

Number of suicide survivorsIt is estimated that there are

6 survivorsfor each death by

suicide

Note: A “suicide survivor” is someone who has lost a loved one

to death by suicide

The ratio of 6 survivors per suicidemeans there are:

6 new survivors every 17 minutes

OR

504 new survivors each day

Survivors in the US population

0

1

2

3

4

5

19701972197419761978198019821984198619881990199219941996199820002002

1 of every 65 Americans is estimated to be a suicide survivor

4,496,022suicide survivors

749,337deaths by suicide

QQuestion

PPersuade

RRefer

QPRQPR

©

• QPR is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment.

• QPR is intended to offer hope through positive action.

QPR

©

QPR Suicide Myths and Facts

MythNo one can stop a suicide, it is

inevitable.

FactIf people in a crisis get the help

they need, they will probably never be suicidal again.

©


Myth Confronting a person about suicide

will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide.

FactAsking someone directly about

suicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication and lowers the risk of an impulsive act. ©


Myth Only experts can prevent suicide.

Fact Suicide prevention is everybody’s

business, and anyone can help prevent the tragedy of suicide

©

Myth Suicidal people keep their plans to

themselves.

FactMost suicidal people communicate

their intent sometime during the week preceding their attempt.

©


Myth Those who talk about suicide don’t do

it.

FactPeople who talk about suicide may

try, or even complete, an act of self-destruction.

©


Myth Once a person decides to complete

suicide, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.

Fact Suicide is the most preventable kind

of death, and almost any positive action may save a life.

©


How Can I Help?

ASK THE QUESTION.

QPR Suicide Clues And Warning Signs

The more clues and signs observed, the greater the risk. Take all signs seriously.

©

QPR Direct Verbal Clues: “I’ve decided to kill myself.”“I wish I were dead.”“I’m going to commit suicide.”“I’m going to end it all.”“If (such and such) doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.”

©

“I’m tired of life, I just can’t go on.” “My family would be better off without

me.” “Who cares if I’m dead anyway.” “I just want out.” “I won’t be around much longer.” “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry

about me.”

©

QPR Direct Verbal Clues:

Behavioral Clues: Any previous suicide attempt Acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills Co-occurring depression, moodiness,

hopelessness Putting personal affairs in order Giving away prized possessions Sudden interest or disinterest in religion Drug or alcohol abuse, or relapse after a

period of recovery Unexplained anger, aggression and

irritability©

Situational Clues: Being fired or being expelled from school A recent unwanted move Loss of any major relationship Death of a spouse, child, or best friend,

especially if by suicide Diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness Sudden unexpected loss of freedom/fear of

punishment Anticipated loss of financial security Loss of a cherished therapist, counselor Fear of becoming a burden to others

©

• “Have you been unhappy lately? Have you been very unhappy lately? Have you been so very unhappy lately that you’ve been thinking about ending your life?”

• “Do you ever wish you could go to sleep and never wake up?”

©

QuestionLess Direct Approach:

“You look pretty miserable, I wonder if you’re thinking about suicide?”

“You know, when people are as upset as you seem to be, they sometimes wish they were dead. I’m wondering if you’re feeling that way, too?”

“Are you thinking about killing yourself?” ©

QuestionDirect Approach:

If you cannot ask the question, find

someone who can.

QPR Tips for Asking the Suicide Question

If in doubt, don’t wait, ask the question If the person is reluctant, be persistent Talk to the person alone in a private

setting Allow the person to talk freely Give yourself plenty of time Have your resources handy; QPR Card,

phone numbers, counselor’s name and any other information that might help

©

How you ask the question is less

important than that you ask it

Persuade• Listen to the problem and give them your full attention

• Remember, suicide is not the problem, only the solution to a perceived insoluble problem

• Do not rush to judgment• Offer HOPE in any form

HOW TO PERSUADE SOMEONE TO STAY ALIVE

©

Then Ask:Then Ask:• “Will you go with me to get help?”• “Will you let me help you get help?”• “Will you promise me not to kill

yourself until we’ve found some help?”

YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND TO HELP CAN REKINDLE HOPE, AND MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

©

Persuade

• Suicidal people often believe they cannot be helped, so you may have to do more.

1. The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.

2. The next best referral is getting a commitment from them to accept help, then making the arrangements to get that help.

©

Refer

3. The third best referral is to give referral information and try to get a good faith commitment not to complete or attempt suicide.

Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, is a good outcome.

©

Refer

REMEMBER:

Since almost all efforts to persuade someone to live instead

of attempt suicide will be met with agreement and relief, don’t hesitate to get involved or take

the lead.

©

For Effective QPR• Say: “I want you to live,” or “I’m on

your side...we’ll get through this.”

• Get Others Involved. Ask the person who else might help. Family? Friends? Brothers? Sisters? Pastors? Priest? Rabbi? Bishop? Physician?

©

For Effective QPR• Join a Team. Offer to work with

clergy, therapists, psychiatrists or whomever is going to provide the counseling or treatment.

• Follow up with a visit, a phone call or a card, and in whatever way feels comfortable to you, let the person know you care about what happens to them. Caring may save a life. ©

Call (or refer to) LIFELINE

1-800-273-TALK or

1-800-SUICIDE

Questions?

ask a question, save a life qpr © terri lucero osborn, ph.d. katie dunker, m.s

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