The Deadly SilenceThe Deadly Silence

There is a deadly silence in our society today There is a deadly silence in our society today and it is killing our kids. Suicide is the 2and it is killing our kids. Suicide is the 2ndnd

leading cause of death of our youth. Two kids leading cause of death of our youth. Two kids die of suicide each week in the state of die of suicide each week in the state of

Washington…… Scot SimpsonWashington…… Scot Simpson

Stress and Cup Activity….Stress and Cup Activity….

Each student write a “stressor” (what Each student write a “stressor” (what stresses you out) on a piece of paper and stresses you out) on a piece of paper and fold it up. Put it in a cup...fold it up. Put it in a cup...

Pass your cups up to the front…Pass your cups up to the front…

Volunteer?Volunteer?

How much stress can someone deal with?How much stress can someone deal with?

How does this affect the way you treat How does this affect the way you treat others?others?

What does this tell you about how you What does this tell you about how you deal with your own life? deal with your own life?

Life’s Slot MachineLife’s Slot Machine

It’s not just one thing… a combination of It’s not just one thing… a combination of what is going on in ones lifewhat is going on in ones life

Biological - body chemistryBiological - body chemistry Sociological - friendsSociological - friends Psychological - emotionsPsychological - emotions Existential – View of the worldExistential – View of the world

Suicide cuts through every age, economic Suicide cuts through every age, economic background, and ethnicitybackground, and ethnicity

• Former pro football player, Former pro football player, • Stressed out 41 year old who had lost their job,Stressed out 41 year old who had lost their job,• Olympic Athletic hopeful, Olympic Athletic hopeful, • Puyallup Daffodil princess,Puyallup Daffodil princess,• Woodinville High SeniorWoodinville High Senior• Mother who was diagnosed with cancerMother who was diagnosed with cancer

Warning Signs of SuicideWarning Signs of Suicide(Other Then Signs for Depression)(Other Then Signs for Depression)

Verbal signs such as “life is hopeless, everyone would Verbal signs such as “life is hopeless, everyone would be better without me”be better without me”

Hopelessness, withdrawal, anxiety, mood swingsHopelessness, withdrawal, anxiety, mood swings Previous attemptsPrevious attempts Talk of death, sudden interest in desire to die, the Talk of death, sudden interest in desire to die, the

afterlifeafterlife Close relative/friend who attemptedClose relative/friend who attempted Giving away prized/valuable itemsGiving away prized/valuable items Becoming involved in drugs/alcohol, promiscuous Becoming involved in drugs/alcohol, promiscuous

behaviorbehavior Impulsive behavior, uncontrollable acts of violenceImpulsive behavior, uncontrollable acts of violence Changing of status on social media…could be Changing of status on social media…could be

forewarningforewarning

What Can You Do??What Can You Do?? Show You CareShow You Care

““I’m concerned about you.. About how you feel”I’m concerned about you.. About how you feel” ““Tell me about what is making you so sad”Tell me about what is making you so sad” ““Together I know we can figure something out to Together I know we can figure something out to

make you feel better”make you feel better” ““Your not alone. Let me help you” “ I have felt that Your not alone. Let me help you” “ I have felt that

way too, at times”way too, at times” Ask the Question?Ask the Question?

““Are you thinking about suicide?”Are you thinking about suicide?”

Call for Help- enlist others for support/guidanceCall for Help- enlist others for support/guidance

Youth Suicide Prevention Program…. Youth Suicide Prevention Program…. www.yspp.orgwww.yspp.org

Suicide in Washington StateSuicide in Washington State

An average of 2 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 An average of 2 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 kill themselves each week in Washington Statekill themselves each week in Washington State

In a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 In a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 high school students reported having attempted high school students reported having attempted suicide; nearly one in four (20% - 25%) had seriously suicide; nearly one in four (20% - 25%) had seriously considered itconsidered it

Over 30% of LGBTQ youth report at least one suicide Over 30% of LGBTQ youth report at least one suicide attempt within the last yearattempt within the last year

Youth suicides outnumber youth homicidesYouth suicides outnumber youth homicides

Trevor Simpson…a E-W Trevor Simpson…a E-W StudentStudent

Suicide QuestionnaireSuicide Questionnaire

1. 1. Suicide is the 3Suicide is the 3rdrd leading cause of death among youth & young leading cause of death among youth & young adults.adults.2. It is estimated that 5 million Americans have attempted suicide.2. It is estimated that 5 million Americans have attempted suicide.3. Washington State ranks ___ in the nation concerning suicide 3. Washington State ranks ___ in the nation concerning suicide rates.rates.4. Suicide generally happens without warning.4. Suicide generally happens without warning.5. Teenage girls attempt suicide 3 X more often then boys.5. Teenage girls attempt suicide 3 X more often then boys.6. Two of the most common means of killing yourself are guns & 6. Two of the most common means of killing yourself are guns & hanging.hanging.7. During the Christmas Holiday season the suicide rate drops.7. During the Christmas Holiday season the suicide rate drops.8. Low income people are more likely to attempt suicide.8. Low income people are more likely to attempt suicide.9. When a person has been depressed and than suddenly seems 9. When a person has been depressed and than suddenly seems to feel better, that person is no longer at risk of killing themselves.to feel better, that person is no longer at risk of killing themselves.

10. Suicidal people truly want to die.10. Suicidal people truly want to die.11. 98% of all people think about killing themselves at some point in 11. 98% of all people think about killing themselves at some point in their lives.their lives.12. Suicide tends to run in the family.12. Suicide tends to run in the family.13. Only the mentally ill kill themselves.13. Only the mentally ill kill themselves.14. Asking a person whether they are considering killing themselves 14. Asking a person whether they are considering killing themselves will cause a suicide attempt.will cause a suicide attempt.15. Teenagers who threaten to kill themselves are not serious and 15. Teenagers who threaten to kill themselves are not serious and are only seeking attention.are only seeking attention.16.Once every 16.Once every day 68 young people in the U.S. attempt suicide.day 68 young people in the U.S. attempt suicide.17. Allowing a person 17. Allowing a person who is thinking about suicide to talk about who is thinking about suicide to talk about their feelings may help them change their mind and seek further their feelings may help them change their mind and seek further help.help.

Stress & Meditation Stress & Meditation http://thereachapproach.bandcamp.com/track/asking-for-nothinghttp://thereachapproach.bandcamp.com/track/asking-for-nothing

AFTER JIMMYAFTER JIMMY

In your journal write down any warning In your journal write down any warning signs of suicide that Jimmy might be signs of suicide that Jimmy might be demonstrating.demonstrating.