Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention

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Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention

• Presented by Mental Health Coalition,
  Tri-County Crisis Center Miami County Mental
  Health Center

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Learning Objectives

• Statistics of Teen Suicide
• Myths of Teen Suicide
• Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Teen Suicide
• Stages of Suicide
• How and Where to Get Help

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Statistics on Teen Suicide

• Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Ohio
• In the U.S., 1 adolescent attempts suicide every
  minute
• Nearly 5000 teenagers commit suicide yearlythis
  doesnt include deaths labeled as accidents
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among
  11-24 year olds the 5th leading cause of death
  for 5-14 year olds the 2nd leading cause of
  death in college age youth
• Suicide rate has doubled in the last 20 years for
  adolescents age 10-14
• The suicide rate for Caucasian males aged 15-24
  has tripled since 1950, while for Caucasian
  females it has more than doubled. The rate for
  African-Americans is lower than Caucasians but
  has been on the rise since the 1980s

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More Suicide Statistics

• Most suicides occur in the home between 3 p.m.
  and midnight
• More suicides occur in the months of March, April
  and May and on Saturdays and Mondays
• Female teenagers attempt suicide six times more
  frequently than males.
• For every female who commits suicide, there are
  three males who commit suicide
• Most males use more violent means guns, hanging,
  etc. Most females use less severe methods
  overdoses, cutting, etc.
• For every suicide there are 30-50 attempts

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Leading Causes of Death in 11-24 year olds

• 1. Accidents automobile and accidental
  suicides
• 2. Homicides Gang related
• 3. Suicides
• A 2007 study found that in Ohio 13.4 of
  teenagers seriously considered suicide, 10.1
  made a plan, 7.2 attempted suicide and 2.3 made
  a suicide attempt that required medical attention.

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• Teen Suicide Assessment Quiz

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Top Myths About Teen Suicide

• Those who openly talk about suicide will never
  commit it.
• The main factor in suicide is mental illness.
• Theres nothing you can do when someone wants to
  commit suicide.
• Once a person is suicidal, he/she is always
  suicidal.
• People who attempt once will attempt again.

• If someone survives a suicide attempt, he/she
  must have been doing it to get attention
• Asking a suicidal person about his/her plan will
  increase suicide potential.
• Suicide is to be expected in cases of severe
  hardship.
• Suicide is a spontaneous/unplanned activity.
• December has the highest suicide rate of any
  month.

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Why has the youth suicide rate increased in
recent years?

• Easier access to means guns
• Pressures of todays life are greater,
  Uncertainty about the future
• Tough competition for good grades, college
  admission
• More violence in the newspapers and on TV
• Families spend less time together, Divorce, the
  formation of a new family with step-parents and
  step-siblings, or moving to a new community can
  be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts
• Youth experience high stress, self-identity
  confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed,
  uncertainty about their future, and other fears

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Common Feelings Experienced by Adolescents

• I am not worthy of love.
• I will only fall in love once.
• Everyone must like me.
• I must be perfect in everything I do.
• If I talk to people about my problems, they will
  laugh.
• My depression will last forever.
• My life is hopeless and will never get better.

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Warning Signs of Suicide
Studies show that 4 out of 5 teen suicide
attempts occurred after clear warning signs

• Change in eating or sleeping habits
• Drug and alcohol use
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running
  away
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Hard time paying attention in school
• Frequent Complaints of boredom
• Poor school attendance
• Increased trouble in school

• Neglects personal appearance
• Frequent physical complaints migraines, stomach
  aches
• Crying Spells
• Sudden happiness after long depression
• Not responding to praise like before
• Self-mutilation
• Giving away possessions
• Hopeless statements or vague comments I wish I
  was never born or I wont be around much
  longer.
• Direct statements about wanting to kill oneself
• Themes of death or depression evident in
  conversation, writing, artwork, or reading
  selections

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Factors putting Teens at Risk of Suicide

• Presence of a mental illness depression, anxiety
• Availability of guns in the home
• Previous suicide attempt
• Personal failure failing class, not making
  sports team, not getting the desired job
• Recent death or anniversary of death of
  friend/family member
• Family history of suicide
• Other teen stressors break-up, beginning new
  school/college, unplanned pregnancy, legal
  trouble, being bullied
• Increase in use of alcohol and drugs
• Suicide clusters

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Stages of Suicide

• Ideation
• A person first considers the idea of suicide
  but the desire to live is stronger than desire to
  die
• Many at this stage are afraid of suicide
• Threatening
• A person accepts suicide as a real option and
  may begin to plan his/her death
• The teen still does not want to kill self
  but sees no other options
• Attempting
• A person has decided to kill themselves
• May not reach out for others
• Shortest stage

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Things to think about if someone you know is
suicidal

• You dont encourage suicide by talking about it.
• You should never give up on the person
• Suicide never comes out of the blue. There are
  always personal reasons for the feelings.
• Just because a person thinks about suicide, it
  does not always mean they will actually attempt.
• Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable
  mental disorders
• People reach out to those they think will take
  them seriously

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What Not to Do for a Suicidal Friend

• Do not judge their feelings or make them feel
  guilty for their feelings
• Do not leave them alone
• Do not assume things will get better or that they
  will get over it.
• Do not preach to them about what is right or
  wrong.
• Do not make promises you cannot keep promising
  not to tell, telling them things will get better
• Do not deal with this knowledge by yourself

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What You Can Do to Help a Suicidal Friend

• Listen and show them that you care.
• Talk openly with them and ask if they have a plan
  for suicide
• Help them think of alternatives to suicide and
  other ways to cope with situation talking with
  friends, family, teachers, counselors, etc.
• Tell someone and get help! Tell teachers,
  parents, guidance counselors or another trusted
  adult. You may need to tell a secret to save a
  life.

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Where to Get Help

• Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Other School Staff
• Parents
• Tri-County Crisis Center 335-7148 or
  1-800-351-7347
• Miami County Mental Health Center 335-6300
• 1-800-SUICIDE
• Call 911