recognizing suicide risk among veteran family and friends
DESCRIPTION
A slide show to learn suicide warning signs of veteran family members or friends. To see a webinar presentation of this slide please click here: https://www.bigmarker.com/military_families_initiative/recognizing_suicide_riskTRANSCRIPT
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Recognizing Suicide Risk Among Veteran Family and
Friends
As presented by Carolos Anchondo on 4/8/14 in Military Families Initiative See a recording of his web conference here: https://www.bigmarker.com/military_families_initiative/recognizing_suicide_risk
Revised 10/2009 by: Education, Training, and Dissemination core of the VISN 2 Center of Excellence at Canandaigua Canandaigua VA Medical Center Center of Excellence, Bldg. 3 400 Fort Hill Avenue Canandaigua, NY 14424
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Suicide Prevention Introduction
Objectives: By participating in this training you will learn: § The scope and importance of suicide prevention § The negative impact of myths and misinformation § How to identify a Veteran at risk § How to effectively communicate with a suicidal
Veteran § How to gain information to help the Veteran § How to refer a Veteran for evaluation and
treatment
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Suicide in the U.S. (2006 CDC data) Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for all ages:
§ 33,000 suicides occur each year in the U.S. § 91 suicides occur each day § One suicide occurs every 16 minutes
Suicide Prevention Brief Overview
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The Face of Suicide in the U.S.(SAMHSA, 2009)
Gender -Men take their lives at nearly four times the rate of women
Age - Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 25-34 year olds and the third leading cause among 15-24 year olds Persons aged 65 years and older have the highest suicide rate of any age group One older adult commits suicide every 90 minutes Veteran Status-Veterans may be at even greater risk than
those in the general population
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Suicide Prevention Brief Overview
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Suicide Prevention
Brief Overview What do the statistics mean?
§ Veterans are at risk for suicide. § We need to do more to reduce their risk.
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VA National Initiatives § Research in suicide prevention § Best practices in identification and treatment § Educating employees at every level § Partnering with community-based organizations and the
armed forces § Veterans Suicide Hotline/Chat Line
LOCAL Initiatives
§ Community Education/Awareness
Suicide Prevention Brief Overview
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Suicide Prevention Myths and Misinformation
Myth: Asking about suicide may lead a Veteran to commit
suicide
Reality: § Asking a veteran about suicide does not create suicidal
thoughts any more than asking about chest pain causes angina.
§ The act of asking the question simply gives the Veteran permission to talk about his or her thoughts and feelings.
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Suicide Prevention Myths and Misinformation
Myth: There are ‘talkers’ and there are ‘doers’.
Reality: § People who talk about suicide must be taken
seriously. § Talking about suicide is an important warning sign
that further mental health evaluation is necessary.
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Suicide Prevention Myths and Misinformation
Myth: If somebody really wants to die by suicide, there
is nothing you can do about it.
Reality: § Individuals who have survived serious suicide
attempts have clearly stated that they wished someone had shown an interest.
§ By supporting the Veteran to get help, you’ve gone a long way toward saving a life.
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Suicide Prevention Myths and Misinformation
Myth: A Veteran won’t commit suicide because…
§ she has young children at home § he has made a verbal or written promise
Reality: § The intent to die can override any rational thinking. § A suicidal Veteran must be taken seriously and referred
for evaluation and treatment.
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Suicide Prevention Operation S.A.V.E.
Operation S. A. V. E. will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is suicidal. The acronym “SAVE” helps you to remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention n Signs of suicidal thinking n Ask questions n Validate the veteran’s experience n Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
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Suicide Prevention Operation S.A.V.E.
Importance of identification § There are a number of warning signs and symptoms. § Some of the signs are obvious but others are not.
§ When you recognize one of these signs, it’s critically important to ask the Veteran if he or she is thinking of suicide.
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Suicide Prevention Signs of suicidal thinking
Acute Warning Signs and Symptoms:
Ø Threatening to hurt or kill self
Ø Looking for ways to kill self
Ø Seeking access to pills, weapons or other means
Ø Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
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Suicide Prevention Signs of suicidal thinking
Additional Important Warning Signs:
§ Hopelessness
§ Rage, anger, seeking revenge
§ Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities § Feeling trapped
§ Increasing drug or alcohol abuse
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Suicide Prevention Signs of suicidal thinking
Additional Important Warning Signs:
§ Withdrawing from friends, family and society
§ Anxiety, agitation
§ Dramatic changes in mood
§ Feeling there is no reason for living, no sense of purpose in life
§ Difficulty sleeping or sleeping all the time
§ Giving away possessions
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Suicide Prevention Asking the question
Know how to ask the most important question of all:
“Are you thinking of killing yourself.”
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Suicide Prevention Asking the question
DO ask the question if you’ve identified warning signs or symptoms
DO ask the question in such a way that is natural and flows with the conversation
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Suicide Prevention Asking the question
DON’T ask the question as though you are looking for a “no” answer. “You aren’t thinking of killing yourself are you?” DON’T wait to ask the question when the Veteran is halfway out the door
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Suicide Prevention Ask the question
Things to consider when you talk with the
Veteran: § Remain calm § Listen more than you speak § Maintain eye contact § Act with confidence § Do not argue § Use open body language § Limit questions-let the Veteran do the talking § Use supportive - encouraging comments § Be honest –there are no quick solutions but help is available
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Suicide Prevention Validate the Veteran’s experience
Validation means: § Acknowledging the Veteran’s feelings § Recognizing that the situation is serious § Not passing judgment § Reassuring him or her that you are here to help
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Suicide Prevention Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
Reassure the Veteran that:
§ Treatment is available § Getting help for suicide is like getting help for any
medical problem
§ Every Veteran has the right to care
§ Even if they have had treatment before, it’s worth it to try again
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Suicide Prevention Tips for expediting a referral:
§ Get to know the referral process in your facility
§ Know barriers in your facility, i.e., no acute psychiatry available in this facility
§ If you don’t know the answer to a question the Veteran asks, let them know that you will help find the answer
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Suicide Prevention Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
Safety Issues § Never try to negotiate with a Veteran who has a gun-call
security
§ If a Veteran has taken pills or cut him or herself-call security
§ If a Veteran runs away-call security
§ If you are speaking with a suicidal Veteran located at your facility call security. If they are located outside your facility call 911.
§ Know your facility process for referring Veterans for treatment
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Suicide Prevention Operation S. A.V. E.
Operation S. A. V. E. can save lives by helping you recognize: Signs of suicidal behavior Asking the question, “Are you thinking of
killing yourself?” Validating the veteran’s experience and Encouraging treatment and Expediting
referral
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Suicide Prevention By participating in this training you have
learned:
§ The scope of the problem of suicides in the Veteran
population § The importance of suicide prevention § The negative impact of myths and misinformation § How to identify a Veteran who may be at risk § Some of the signs and symptoms of suicidal
thinking § How to effectively ask the most important question
of all § How to gain information to help the Veteran § How to refer a Veteran for evaluation and
treatment
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Thank You
References n Operation S.A.V.E. Guide Training VA Edition
n http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/statistics/
n http://vaww.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide.asp
n http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/elderly.asp
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