Suicide Prevention Staff Training

A New Mandate in

By Tom Letson SAC

Hurry up, we are on the clock!

• In January 2006, N.J.S.A. 18A:6-111 became law, requiring all public school teaching staff members to complete at least two hours of instruction in suicide prevention as part of the required 100 clock hours of professional development. 

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

• Gain an understanding of the results the of 2007 NJ Report on Suicide.

• Gain an understanding of signs indicating a student may be in trouble.

• Gain an understanding of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.

• Gain an understanding of District Pupil Suicide Policy and Referral Procedures.

Big Objective # 1:

Not put you to sleep

Big Objective #2

Everyone knows when to press the panic button to get help for a student

Adolescent Suicide in New JerseyData Overview

NJ Department of Children and Families Report to Governor Corzine

February 2007

• Compared to other age groups, data suggests suicides among adolescents are often preceded by some kind of recent crisis.

• Especially in the case of males, the crisis may be very recent, often less than 24 hours before the suicide.

• Approximately 40% of adolescents in NJ who complete suicide have some history of mental illness

• Slightly over 30% are currently being treated for a mental health problem. (similar to suicides overall)

A recent crisis, especially for males should set off our alarms to be vigilant

• In NJ, adolescent suicides are relatively more common in densely populated areas

• Nearly 10% of middle and high school students in NJ report that they attempted suicide. (consistent with national data)

• As students age from 9th to 12th grade, the proportion who report feelings of depression rises, while at the same time the proportion reporting both suicidal plans or attempts declines.

Statistics can be helpful in our effort to prevent teen suicide

• During past 5 years there have been approximately 65 suicides in NJ among those aged 10-24.

• NJ has a very low gun ownership rate (11% as compared with 35% nationally)

• This helps to prevent adolescent firearm suicides, where most of the time the gun used belongs to a family

member.

Gun Ownership in NJ is very low compared to the national average

• The primary method of suicide for adolescents is suffocation, or hanging.

• Firearms are the second most frequently used mechanism among males, followed by poisoning

• Almost all non-fatal suicide attempts involve poisoning, usually an overdose of a prescription or non-prescription medication.

• Adolescents differ from others in their greater propensity to engage in non-fatal suicidal behavior.

• In NJ, there are more than 10 non-fatal suicide attempts resulting in hospitalization for each completed suicide among those aged 10-24.

• Even within the ages of 10-24, the ratio of attempted to completed suicide declines with age.

There are a lot of young wolf criers needing attention - and we must give it to them – no matter what!

• The vast majority of suicide attempters do not ultimately complete suicide.

• This is especially true in the case of adolescent females.

• The ratio of non-fatal to fatal attempts is highest for young females, who have both the highest rate of non-fatal attempts and the lowest rate of completed suicide when compared to the rest of the population.

Guess which gender has the highest ratio of non-fatal to fatal attempts?

District PolicyHowell Township Public Schools has developed policies to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff alike.

Source: Board Policy 5340 – Pupil Suicide

• Referral Procedure *A staff member who observes behaviors or warning signs that indicate a pupil may be at risk to engage in a suicidal act shall:

• Immediately notify the building Principal or designee and/or a member of the Crisis Management Team member in the building (school psychologist, social worker, guidance counselor or student assistance coordinator)

• Insure the student is escorted to the guidance, nurses or principal’s office by a staff member (do not leave student alone at any time).

• Document the incident including date, time and circumstances.

• Overt suggestion that he/she is considering or has considered suicide or has worked out the details of a suicide attempt;

• Evidence of preparation of a will, intention to dispose of his/her effects and belongings, or otherwise get life “in order”;

• Obsession with death or afterlife; • Possession of a weapon or other

means of suicide or obsession with such means;

• Sense of hopelessness or unrelieved sadness;

• Lethargy or despondency, or, conversely, a tendency to become more impulsive or aggressive than usual;

• Drop in academic achievement, slacking off of energy and effort, or inability to focus on studies;

• Isolation from others by loss of friends, withdrawal from friends, lack of companionship, or family disintegration;

• Preoccupation with nonexistent physical ills;

• Loss of weight, appetite, and/or sleep;

• Substance abuse• Loss of economic resources• Note: These signs in isolation do

not necessarily constitute an at risk situation – please seek consult with appropriate staff if necessary.

Signs of Potential Pupil Suicide *Source: Board Policy 5340All school personnel, both teaching staff members and support staff members, shall be alert to any sign that a pupil may be contemplating suicide. Such signs include, but are not necessarily limited to, a pupil's:

Warning Sign Examples• “I’m going to kill myself• “I wish I were dead”• “I don’t want to live”• “Nobody needs me.”• “You won’t have to be around

me too much longer.”• Discussing or joking or writing

about a suicide plan.• Giving prized possessions

away

Be-A-Link

Suicide Prevention Program

The Yellow Ribbon

Based on the premise that it may difficult for kids to tell others they are in serious trouble.

It’s OK to Ask for Help!

Yellow Ribbon Program History• Began in 1994 after the suicide of 17 year old Mike Emme.• Mike’s parents urged his friends to always reach out and ask for

help for problems.• This resulted in an international suicide prevention program

Why a Suicide Prevention Program?

• MYTH: Talking about suicide may cause one to try it.• FACT: People thinking about suicide NEED to talk.

• MYTH: People who talk about it don’t usually do it.• FACT: All suicide talk MUST be taken seriously.

• MYTH: A suicidal person wants to die and feels there is no turning back.

• FACT People often call for help right after an attempt. Most crisis lasts a short time.

• MYTH: Suicide is about death.• FACT: People don’t want to die they just want to the pain they are

feeling to stop.

To Dispel Myths So at Those Risk Can Get Help

• MYTH Teens who threaten or attempt suicide are only looking for attention.

• FACT A threat is a desperate cry for help.

• MYTH Friends should not do anything in a suicidal crisis – only adults should help.

• FACT Just as with First Aid & CPR, assisting in a suicidal crisis is critical!

Two Critical Myths About Suicide!

Yellow Ribbon Cards Help Kids to Ask for Help if in Trouble

If in need, students take a card and give it to someone.

Cards are available in the Nurse, Guidance & SAC Offices

If you receive a card, it tells you what to do:

geocities.com/howellsac

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Howell Middle Schools

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•Program Description •Program Highlights•Drug & Alcohol Info•Site Blog & Guestbook•Bully Prevention Info•Suicide Prevention •Anger Management

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