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Transcript of Teacher Training
Youth Suicide:Prevention Works!
Presented by:Sue Eastgard, MSWDirector, Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State
www.yspp.org
Youth Suicide: The Facts
• An average of 2 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 kill themselves each week in Washington State
• In a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 high school students reported having attempted suicide; nearly one in four (20% - 25%) had seriously considered it
• Over 30% of GLBQ youth report at least one suicide attempt within the past year
– Over 50% of Transgender youth will have had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday
• Youth suicide outnumber youth homicides
Number of suicides vs. numberof attemptsWashington State youth (2000-2004)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
10-14 15-19 20-24
Suicides
Attempts
The Point is
• We need to be concerned about youth who complete suicide as well as those who make suicide attempts
Males complete suicide more often than femalesWashington State youth (2000-2004)
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
10-14 15-19 20-24
Ave
rage
rat
e pe
r 10
0,00
0
FemalesMales
The Point is
• Boys and young men are at higher risk of dying by suicide because:– They choose more lethal means– They are less likely to seek help – They are socialized to solve problems
Females are more likely to be hospitalized for suicidal behavior than males Washington State youth (2000-2004)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
10-14 15-19 20-24
Nu
mb
er o
f at
tem
pte
d s
uic
ides
FemaleMale
The Point is
• Girls and young women are much more likely to be hospitalized for suicidal behavior because:– They talk and tell others– They give us the opportunity to intervene
Males use more immediate & less reversible means than femalesWashington State youth ages 10-24 (2000-2004)
Males
Gun
Poisoning
Suffocation
Fall/JumpOther
Females
Suffocation
Poisoning
Gun
N= 402 N=97
The Point is
• The most common ways in which males and females end their lives are the same: guns and hanging
Rate of suicides by race/ethnicityWashington State youth 10-24 (2000-2004)
0
5
10
15
20
White AfricanAmerican
NativeAmerican
Asian Hispanic
Rat
e of
sui
cide
s pe
r 10
0,00
0
Child & Adolescent Depression:The Facts
• One in every 33 children may have depression
• The rate of depression for adolescents may be as high as 1 in 8
• The majority of children and adolescents with depression do not get help they need
• Depression can lead to school failure, alcohol/drug use, and suicide
Child & Adolescent Depression:WA State Facts
• 39% of Washington State 6th graders reported feeling “depression or sad MOST days in the past year”
• Over 30% of Washington State 10th graders indicated that they sometimes think, “life is not worth it”
Child & Adolescent Depression:The Signs
• Irritability• Persistent feelings of sadness• A drop in school performance• Problems with authority• Indecision, lack of concentration• Poor self-esteem• Overreaction to criticism• Frequent physical complaints
LIFE’S SLOT MACHINE
ExistentialPsychologicalSociologicalBiological
Risk Factors
Additional Risk Factors for GLBT Youth:
• Gender nonconformity• Coming out:
– Early – Not coming out to anyone
• Homophobia• Internalized homophobia/Internal conflict• Heterosexism• Lack of access to gay/trans friendly
services
Youth Suicide: Warning Signs
• A previous suicide attempt
• Current talk of suicide or making a plan
• Strong wish to die, preoccupation with death, giving away prized possessions
• Signs of serious depression, such as moodiness, hopelessness, withdrawal
• Increased alcohol and/or drug use
Youth Suicide: Risk Factors
• Readily accessible firearms
• Impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
• Lack of connection to family and friends (no one to talk to).
Focus on How Vs. Why
• When lethal coal burning wood stoves were replaced with cleaner burning natural gas, overall suicide rate in the UK went down by 1/3
• When barrier was erected on popular “suicide bridge” the incidence of suicide did not increase on another nearby bridge
• Storing guns in a lock box, putting ammunition in a different room or keeping a gun unloaded significantly reduces chances that gun will be used in a suicide
LIFE’S SLOT MACHINE
SchoolCommunityFamilyIndividual
Protective Factors
• Show you care
• Ask the question
• Call for help
Youth Suicide: Intervention
Youth Suicide: Resources
• School counselor
• Crisis telephone hotline (1-800-273-TALK)
(1-800-4U-Trevor-GLBT support)
• Physician/health care provider
• Mental health specialist
• Coaches & youth leaders
• Parents & clergy
• GLBT friendly services/people in community and schools
Suicide death rates on the declineWashington State youth 10-24 (1997-2004)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Rat
es o
f Sui
cide
per
100
,000
The Point is
• Suicide rates have gone down, but not far enough
Youth Suicide:Prevention Works!
Presented by:Sue Eastgard, MSWDirector, Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State
www.yspp.org