Suicide Prevention

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1 Suicide Prevention Kerry L. Knox, Ph.D., M.S. Director Janet Kemp RN, Ph.D. VA National Suicide Prevention Coordinator Associate Director Education and Training 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 Deborah A. King, Ph.D. Clinical Training Coordinator Jane Wood, R.N., M.S.N. Clinical Trainer

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Suicide Prevention. Janet Kemp RN, Ph.D. VA National Suicide Prevention Coordinator Associate Director Education and Training. Kerry L. Knox, Ph.D., M.S. Director. Deborah A. King, Ph.D. Clinical Training Coordinator Jane Wood, R.N., M.S.N. Clinical Trainer. Revised 10/2009 by : - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Suicide Prevention

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Suicide Prevention

Kerry L. Knox, Ph.D., M.S.Director

Janet Kemp RN, Ph.D.VA National Suicide Prevention CoordinatorAssociate Director Education and Training

Revised 10/2009 by: Education, Training, and Dissemination core of the VISN 2 Center of Excellence at Canandaigua Canandaigua VA Medical CenterCenter of Excellence, Bldg. 3400 Fort Hill AvenueCanandaigua, NY 14424

Deborah A. King, Ph.D.Clinical Training Coordinator

Jane Wood, R.N., M.S.N.Clinical Trainer

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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 minutesVeteran 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

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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’.

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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.

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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

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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 theimportant steps involved in suicide prevention

Signs of suicidal thinking Ask questions Validate the veteran’s experience Encourage treatment and Expedite getting

help

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Suicide PreventionOperation 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:

Threatening to hurt or kill self

Looking for ways to kill self

Seeking access to pills, weapons or other means

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 PreventionAsking the question

Know how to ask the most important question of all:

“Are you thinking of killing yourself.”

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Suicide PreventionAsking 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 questionDON’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 PreventionTips 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 PreventionOperation 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 PreventionBy 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 Operation S.A.V.E. Guide Training VA Edition

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/statistics/

http://vaww.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide.asp

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/elderly.asp