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Addressing Suicide within Youth in the Community and within the Profession

Individual or Group Study Format

FIRST RESPONDERS TRAINING MODULE

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Disclaimer:The Jason Foundation, Inc. is an education organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. This is accomplished through a curriculum unit for students and informational seminars for teachers and parents. The programs provide resources to accomplish this goal. One of the programs is the “First Responders Training Module”.

This module was developed by The Jason Foundation, Inc. specifically for First Responders to educate them about the danger of youth suicide as well as suicide within their own profession. It also offers ways that they can be better aware when someone they come in contact with, both professionally and personally, may be in need of professional help.

Although The Jason Foundation, Inc. feels that its programs are well formatted and directly address the problem of suicide, there is no single way to combat the problem. Understanding this variability in suicide, we must stress that there are no implied or otherwise suggested statements that this program can guarantee it will prevent suicide attempts or suicides from occurring. PROFESSIONAL help should be sought immediately whenever there is a possibility of suicidal ideation. Never try to solve the problem without securing PROFESSIONAL help.

Goals: To provide First Responders with the knowledge, skills and resources to enable them to be better able to recognize the signs of concern and elevated risk factors for suicidal ideation in youth within their community, as well as in co-workers and fellow FIRST RESPONDERS.

Objectives:1. First Responders will gain knowledge about the magnitude of the problem of youth suicide and suicide within the First Responder community.2. First Responders will gain knowledge about some of the major signs of concern and elevated risk factors associated with suicidal thoughts.3. First Responders will become aware of resources available to help depressed or suicidal youth, as well as depressed or suicidal members of the First Responder community.

Materials – Facilitator Guide/InstructionsA commitment of 1 to 1.5 hours is recommended to properly accomplish the training. The seminar is self-contained and easy to facilitate. Everything necessary to complete the seminar – preparation, promotion, presentation, questions and discussion are included.Included in the facilitator guide are:

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• Step by step directions for the facilitator • Discussion starters/talking points • Information about the equipment needed to view the presentation • Statistical information on youth suicide • For detailed information and for the latest statistics, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm • Facilitator should research local resources for help prior to the event • Verify local resources and contact information • Provide resources to participants after presentation

THE PRESENTATIONPreparing for the presentationBefore starting the seminar, you will want to decide the manner in which the program will be presented – in its entirety, or with a break. Please remember that time may be limited. You want to allow sufficient time, either as the presentation progresses or at the conclusion of the program, for questions and discussion.

Presenting the program in its entirety (without a break)If you choose to present the program without including a break, open the floor for discussion when the video is completed. You should allow approximately 20 minutes at the end of the presentation for discussion and questions. See Questions and Comments below.

Presenting the program with a short break included:Since the program is divided into 2 main sections, you, as the facilitator, will decide whether or not you wish to interrupt the presentation after a section to allow for a short break or for comments and discussion.

If you decide to incorporate a short break, you might consider taking the break at the 25:30 minute mark, which ends the youth suicide portion and begins the First Responder section. You probably do not want to take more than a short, ten minute break as it normally takes a few minutes longer to get everyone back and settled for the remainder of the program. You should allow approximately 20 minutes at the end of the presentation for discussion and questions. After the break, you will start with the “First Responders: getting involved in your community” section. Complete the remainder of the presentation without any other breaks. When finished, open the floor for questions or comments. See Questions and Comments below.

Setting up and testing equipmentYou will want to arrive at the event venue approximately one hour prior to your presentation. This should give you plenty of time to be sure that the meeting room and equipment – TV and DVD player

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or laptop, LCD projector and screen – is set up and working properly. Test the DVD to be sure that it works and is correctly displayed on the TV or screen. Also check the sound from various areas of the room to be sure it is audible for all participants. When you have completed testing the equipment, be sure that the DVD is set to start from the beginning. All you need to do now is press play when you are ready!

Beginning the presentationIntroduce yourself and thank everyone for attending. Explain to your group how the program will be presented. Let them know up front if the presentation will be viewed in its entirety or if you are going to include a short break. Share the goals and objectives of the program with your group.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTSFirst, ask for questions or comments from the group. Hopefully, someone will start a conversation relative to the information they have just received.

Sometimes you will have an audience that is reluctant to respond. Sometimes you will receive numerous questions and feedback. If there is little or no feedback from your audience, we have listed some conversation starters that will help you get your audience involved. Listed below are some questions that you can ask along with some possible response examples:

1. What new things did you learn from this presentation? • Magnitude of the problem of youth suicide i. Second leading cause of death for ages 10-24 ii. Second leading cause of death for college age youth • Statistics – number of youth suicides i. Loss of approximately 6,500 young people every year ii. Loss of approximately 130 young people every week • Signs of concern i. Suicide threats a. “I would be better off dead.” b. “You won’t have me around much longer to bother you!” c. “I wish I was dead.” d. “I am going to kill myself.” ii. Previous suicide attempts a. One out of three completed suicides is not the first attempt by the victim. b. Take even so-called “half-hearted” attempts seriously. NOTE: Ask why would anyone make a “halfhearted” attempt? Explain that they want someone to notice they are hurting. iii. Sudden changes in behavior

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a. Quiet person becomes loud or vice versa b. Out-going person becomes withdrawn v. Loses interest in things previously enjoyed iv. Depression a. Exhibits itself differently in youth through out of character behavior, such as some of those listed above b. Changes in eating and sleeping habits c. Changed relationships with friends d. Easily agitated or aggressive v. Final arrangements a. Giving away “prized/valued” possessions - Favorite jewelry - Any item(s) the person considers valuable. • Elevated risk factors i. Perfectionists ii. Gay/Lesbian youth iii. Loners iv. Abusers of drugs and alcohol v. Easy access to lethal means

2. What are some things you learned about Suicide within First Responders? • More First Responders die by suicide than in the line of duty i. 140 Police Suicides (129 line of duty deaths) ii. 103 Firefighter/EMS deaths (93 line of duty deaths) iii. Suicides take 2-3 times the number of officer’s lives than being killed by a felon.

3. What can we do to prevent this from happening to our fellow First Responders? • Learn the warning signs i. Neglecting appearance/hygiene ii. Self-isolating iii. Take unnecessary risks on the job or in their personal life iv. Carry their weapon reckless or in an unsafe manner v. Deteriorating job performance vi. Issues with drugs/alcohol • Learn the resources available to you i. Know local, state and national resources you can access ii. Know who to go to within your department for issues related to mental health • Encourage open communication and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions i. Questions like, have you thought about suicide? Or do you have a plan to commit suicide?

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4. What are some ways a First Responder can build individual resilience? • Educate yourself and your colleagues about the behavioral health impacts of working as a First Responder • Have a plan for how you will cope with response and post-response stress • Talk with family and friends about how they can support you • Engage in community activities for enjoyment and build social connections • Exercise daily and use simple routines you can do - running, stretching, etc. • Develop and maintain healthy eating habits and a bedtime routine • Identify people that are positive influences who can provide support during times of stress. • Find what brings you positive feeling or enjoyment - like a favorite book or movie. Keep it on hand for when you return from a stressful response to help you tap into positive emotions.

5.What can we do to prevent this tragedy in our children, friends or the people we work with? • Learn the signs of concern and elevated risk factors. • Become more actively involved in your child’s, friends, co-workers life. • Foster better communication and don’t be afraid to ask questions. • Be familiar with and discuss local resources for assistance.

6.What can we do in the community to better educate people about the danger of youth suicide? • Ask community and/or faith-based organizations to promote suicide awareness and prevention seminars. • Encourage your local school system to incorporate youth suicide prevention training in their health classes. i. Talk with teachers, guidance counselors, or principal about implementing suicide awareness and prevention training programs for students in grades 7-12. ii. Ask if The Jason Foundation’s link to the Parent Resource Program can be placed on the school’s website. • Encourage your local media to provide educational information in their programming. i. Call or email your local media outlets and ask if they will run a story about the problem of youth suicide or suicide within the First Responder community on their local news program, place an article in the newspaper or run a public service announcement.

CONCLUSIONAs the comments begin to diminish, say to your group: In summing up what we have just learned, we want to follow the lead of The Jason Foundation by establishing a “Triangle of Prevention” in our community. Let’s use all means possible to educate our parents, educators/youth workers and

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youth about suicide awareness and prevention and ways to help at-risk youth.

Also, let’s educate our co-workers, families and communities about depression and suicide within the first responder community, so we can all work together in combatting this tragedy that affects so many lives.

Thank your audience for attending and for their participation. Ask them to help in the fight against the “Silent Epidemic” of suicide.

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Make A DifferenceThe Jason Foundation greatly appreciates your participation in this program. You have taken the first step in helping prevent the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide.

Did you know that all of our educational programs are provided at no-cost? Because our programs are offered free of charge, we are extremely grateful for the generous financial support that we receive. JFI is truly a grassroots effort and there is no donation too small. Each donation is tax-deductible and used to provide educational materials and seminars. Find out how you can help or donate by visiting our website at jasonfoundation.com and select “donate now.”

18 Volunteer Drive | Hendersonville, TN 37075

615.264.2323 | Fax 615.264.0188www.jasonfoundation.com

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Important NoticeThank you for your interest in The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) and our programs for awareness and prevention of youth suicide. All of The Jason Foundation’s programs have been designed to follow the guidelines of our mission statement,“… dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.”

Since the time these materials were produced, our affiliates, community partners, etc. may have changed bringing more diversity and support to JFI. For an up to date list of our supporters, please visit the JFI website, www.jasonfoundation.com.

Also, statistical information supplied in these programs may be different from when the programs were first filmed. For undated National and State statistics, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov. You will find a wealth of knowledge about suicide, and specifically youth suicide, on their website.

If you are facilitating a presentation using the enclosed materials, please share the above information with your audience.

Again, thank you for joining us in the fight against youth suicide.

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External ResourcesThe following are resources for First Responders and their families. While the information may be useful, the links included on this page refer to sites which are owned and operated by third parties. The Jason Foundation is not responsible for the availability of, or the content located on or through, any External Site. The information or opinions expressed on these External Sites do not necessarily reflect those of The Jason Foundation.

www.sc4i.org The mission of Status: Code 4, Inc. (SC4I) is to provide trauma healing counseling and mental wellness educational services to First Responders and their family members.

www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dtac/supplementalresearchbulletin-firstresponders-may2018.pdf First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma

www.bluehelp.org Offering comfort and honor to the families who have lost an officer to suicide is a necessary to maintain the credibility of the thin blue line.

www.code4couples.com Resource for Successful Law Enforcement Relationships or First Responder Relationships.

www.nextrung.org Peer support to combat the mental health issues of Firefighters and First Responders.

www.volunteerfirefighteralliance.org/support.html Provides programs and crisis support for First Responders and their families.

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18 Volunteer Drive | Hendersonville, TN 37075 615.264.2323 | Fax 615.264.0188

www.jasonfoundation.com