1. Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Celine Mazoyer
Megan Holyoke
Christen Jancola

2. Questions to get you thinking
Can you name a few signs and symptoms of suicide?
Who do you think suicide affects?
What are some things you could do to help someone who is contemplating suicide?
3. Risks that contribute to suicidal behaviors
Family history of suicide
Suffering from chronic illnesses
Alcohol/other substance abuse
Chronic sleep disturbances
Lack of social support systems
Loss of home, job, status, money, etc.
History of significant loss
Impulsivity
Psychiatric disorders
Genetic predisposition
4. Its very difficult to predict who will kill themselves since most people who commit suicide do not communicate their intentions.
True or False?
False. The notion that people who talk about their suicide do not kill themselves is a myth. An overwhelming 75% of people who commit suicide communicate their intentions before taking their lives. Most suicidal warnings are verbal or behavioral, while only 15% involve leaving notes.
5. Extraordinary aggressiveness and hostility, hyperactivity, sexual promiscuity, and extreme risk-taking are often signs of impending suicidal attempts.
True or False?
True.Even though these behaviors are very dissimilar to stereotypical pre-suicide behaviors like isolation, despair, depression, and apathy, they are serious red flags that are also associated with a young person's suicidal thinking and behavior
6. Signs & Symptoms
Lose interest in prior activities or relationships
Prepare for death by giving away prized possessions, making a will, or putting other affairs in order
Withdraw from those around them
Change in habits such as:
Eating
Sleeping
Drug/alcohol use
Hygiene
7. Signs & Symptoms cont.
Makes indirect statements about death
Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and powerlessness
Pessimism
Lack of motivation
Inability to tolerate frustration
Preoccupation with death
The risk of suicide may be greatest as depression lifts because they now have the energy to commit the act
8. Statistics
75% of people communicate their intentions of suicide
9. Statistics
In 2006 11.2% of the United States population died as a result of suicide
10. Statistics
In 2006 12.7% of Washingtons population died from suicide
11. Statistics
17.9% of men commit suicide
12. Statistics
4.6% of females commit suicide
13. Statistics
While more males succeed in suicide, females attempt suicide 3 times more often than males
It is estimated that a woman takes her own life every 90 minutes, but one woman attempts suicide every 78 seconds.
14. It may be helpful to ask a person who appears overly depressed, withdrawn, or grief-stricken whether she has ever considered suicide as a solution to her problems.
True or False?
True. For a child in these exaggerated, emotionally distressed states, bringing up suicide does not encourage her to kill herself. On the contrary, raising the question of suicide encourages a young person to talk about suicide and shows that you recognize the depth of her pain. In all major youth suicide surveys, the majority of youngsters report having considered suicide as an option. Asking also shows the person that you care about them.
15. Most young people who commit suicide have made a clear decision that death is their best option.
True or False?
False. Most young people who kill themselves are in a state of pronounced conflict and confusion over whether to commit suicide. They are all sure, however, that they desperately want an end to their emotional suffering. There are many more suicidal attempts than there are successful suicides. 80 percent of completed suicides have made one or more previous attempts.
16. What to do if someone is showing signs of depression and/or suicide?
Things to consider immediately:
Remember PLAID
Plan?
Lethality?
Availability?
Illness?
Depression?
17. 9 Things to Remember
Acknowledge and accept their feelings
Be an active listener
Try to give them hope and remind them
that what they are feeling is temporary
Be there for them
Show love and encouragement
18. Things to Remember cont.
Pamper them
Help them get help
Remove means of suicide
Remove any children from the situation
19. Services
Family & Friends
Should be first and most important support system
Websites
Private agency
Government funded
Personal websites
Hotlines
Volunteer-based
Government funded
Support Groups
Private agencies
20. Places to Turn for Help
9-1-1
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
24 hour hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
24 hour hotline
Counseling.suite101.com
21. Video
Terry Wise Story
22. AWARENESS