MAKING EDUCATORS PARTNERS IN SUICIDE

PREVENTION

Lifelines:A School-Based Youth

Suicide Prevention Initiative

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{ADD YOUR NAME & AFFILIATION HERE}

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Educational Objectives

Review benefits

Correct myths

Present accurate data

Outline roles

Discuss interaction with students

Provide additional resources

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Why Suicide Prevention is Important

Second leading cause of death overall for teens in the USA.

2,134 children and teens died by suicide in 2013. (CDC, WISQARS, 2015)

For every suicide death, there are between 50-200 attempts116,211 self-inflicted injuries for teens in 2013.

(CPSC, NEISS, 2015)

18% HS students seriously considered suicide, 13% made a plan, 8% attempted in 2013.

(CDC, YRBSS, 2015)

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Georgia Suicide Statistics

• In 2013• 1,212 Georgians died by suicide• 73 youth died by suicide (10-19 years old)

(CDC, WISQARS, 2015)

• Suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death for 10 to 24 year olds.

“Competent School Community”

All members of the school community areconcerned about the welfare of each other

They know how to obtainhelp for those who need it

THE CONTEXT FOR PREVENTION

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Staff Responsibility

Understand the importance of your critical but limited role in the identification of students at-risk for suicide

Familiarize yourself with school policies and procedures that address this issue

Learn information that facilitates identification of at-risk students

Listen to students, verbally and nonverbally, for warning signs

Identify those students who may be at elevated risk based on that identification

Refer those students to appropriate resources7

Your Role Simplified

Learningsigns of risk in students

Identifyingat-risk students

Referringto appropriate resources

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Are School Programs That Address Suicide Safe?

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Answering CommonQuestions

Can Talking about Suicide Plant the Idea in the Minds of Vulnerable Teens?

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Answering CommonQuestions

Is Talking about Suicide Just a Way for Someone to Get Attention?

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Answering CommonQuestions

ATTEMPTED SUICIDEis a potentially self-injurious act

Completed with at least some intentto die as a result of the act

Defining the Problem

SUICIDEis an attempt to solve a problem

of intense emotional painwith impaired problem-solving skills

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Characteristics of Suicide

1. Alternative to problem perceived as unsolvable by any other means

2. Crisis thinking colors problem solving

3. Person is often ambivalent

4. Suicidal solution has an irrational component

5. Suicide is a form of communication

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Red - Warning Signs

Risk Factors / Warning Signs

Yellow - Risk Factors

Green - Protective Factors

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Risk Factors for Youth Suicide

Demographic

Clinical

‘Stressors’

Accessto Means

PersonalityFactors

Family

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Risk Factors

DEMOGRAPHIC Age Sex Gender Identity Race

CLINICAL Psychiatric diagnosis Drug / alcohol use Previous attempt

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Risk Factors

FAMILY History of suicide

EXPOSURE To suicide (personally or in media) Death of peer under any circumstance

RECENT, SEVERE STRESSORS Loss Trouble Change – transition

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THE PERFECT STORM

FF

Warning Signs

eelingseelings

AACC

TTSS

ctionsctions

hangeshanges

hreatshreats

ituationsituations19

Threatening suicide

Looking for access to means

Talking or writing about death, dying, suicide

Previous attempt seriousenough to requirehospitalization

Students at Higher Risk

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3 Steps to Help

RECOGNIZE THE WARNING SIGNS

EXPRESS CONCERN & SEEK CLARIFICATION

Provide support.

REFER STUDENTProvide a warm handoff to appropriate resources.

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Protective Factors

Contact with a caring adult

Sense of connection orparticipation in school

Positive self-esteem andcoping skills

Access to and care formental / physical / substancedisorders

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Fostering Protective Factors

Teach students it is okay to ask for help

Give students permission to talk abouttraumatic events like suicide

Help students identify trusted adults

Encourage participation inschool & community activities

Acknowledge student efforts

Be a good listener, as often as you can23

So Here’s Your Homework:

1. Review school policy & procedures

2. Examine personal attitudes and values

3. Remember your role in the competent community

4. Review curriculum for ways in which you can foster protective factors (resiliency)

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Remember:Your Role Simplified

Learningsigns of risk in students

Identifyingat-risk students

Referringto appropriate resources

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www.sptsusa.orgSociety for the Prevention of Teen SuicideSponsor of this program, focuses on resources for the competent school community, including Lifelines,

an evidence-based suicide prevention program for schools. Free on-line educator training!

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.orgNational Suicide Prevention LifelineFree confidential, 24-hour hotline, free materials

www.sprc.orgSuicide Prevention Resource CenterResources for states, on-line library, best practices registry

www.suicidology.orgAmerican Association of SuicidologyData, resources, links, journal, national conference

www.thetrevorproject.org/The Trevor ProjectSpecific information for LGBTQ youth

www.afsp.orgAmerican Foundation for Suicide PreventionSurvivor resources, research, and awareness

Web Resources

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It’s in the Shelter of Each Other…

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MAKING EDUCATORS PARTNERS IN SUICIDE

PREVENTION

Lifelines: A School-Based Youth

Suicide Prevention Initiative

CREATED BY

Maureen M. Underwood, LCSW John Kalafat, Ph.D

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