Teen Suicide: A Preventable Tragedy

Ms. Patrice Davis, Intervention Supervisor

Baldwin County Public School System

Did You Know?

Every year there are approximately 10 teen suicides for every 100,000 teenagers.

Every day there are approximately 11.5 teen suicides.

Every 2 hours and 5 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide.

American Association of Suicidology (ASA),

Youth Suicide Fact Sheet, 2006

Teen Suicide Awareness: Statistics

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15-24.

Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10-14.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in colleges.

For every one suicide completion, there are between 50 and 200 attempts.

The suicide attempt rate is increasing for young people between the ages of 10-14.

Teen Suicide Awareness: Statistics

Suicide has the same risk and protective factors as other problem behaviors, such as drugs, violence, and risky sexual activities.

A recent survey of high school students found that almost 1 in 5 had seriously considered suicide; more than 1 in 6 had made plans to attempt suicide; and more than 1 in 12 had made a suicide attempt in the last year.

The ratio of male to female suicides is 4:1; however, young women attempt suicide four times more frequently.

Teen Suicide Awareness: Statistics

Reports of suicide clusters, in which one suicide triggers several others within a school or community, have increased.

Girls who attempt suicide are more likely to try killing themselves by overdosing on pills or by cutting themselves.

Boys who attempt suicide are more likely to choose a method that is more lethal—and quick. Boys more often use guns, jump from great heights, or hang themselves.

Teen Suicide: Do You Know the Answers?

Pre Post Test

Preparing for and Responding to a Death by Suicide Inform all staff members about the suicide and

provide a debriefing session where staff may voice their concerns, apprehensions, and any questions they may have.

Talk with all students at the beginning of the school day to announce the death of the student. (This is best achieved via small groups.)

Provide counseling sites throughout the school for students.

Avoid any glorification of the suicide such as holding a memorial for the student or in some way honoring the student.

Preparing for and Responding to a Death by Suicide Refer all media inquiries to the

Communications Director. Continually monitor the school’s emotional

climate. (Has there been an increase in fights or school delinquency following a death by suicide?)

Evaluate all activities done following a death by suicide. (How did the school respond? What worked and what did not work?)

Preparing for and Responding to a Death by Suicide Utilize an established linkage system or

community network in order to make referrals to the appropriate services as well as to exchange information concerning the appropriate steps for treating those affected by the suicide.

Utilize an established school response crisis team, which should include a diverse group of school professionals, such as the principal, counselor, teacher, and possibly the school nurse.

Preparing for and Responding to a Death by Suicide Announcements to Students, Faculty, and Staff

Day One Day Two

Written Communications Notification Letter to Parents Following a Suici

de Sample Letter to Send Home Parent Communications

Sample Response to Incoming Calls from the Media

Guidelines for Announcements for Students or Faculty Share only confirmed facts: who, what,

when, where, and how. Use age-appropriate language. Refer to the family’s wishes regarding privacy

when possible. When making the announcement, model

appropriate leadership and grief response. Do not sensationalize or make judgments. Avoid euphemisms and clichés.

Suicide Prevention Guidelines

This checklist can be used to quickly evaluate what services and policies your school already has in place (indicated by a “yes”) or what services and policies your school may be lacking that may need to be implemented or revised (indicated by a “no”).

Suicide Prevention Guidelines Checklist

Checklist for Administrators Responding to a Suicide This checklist can be used to quickly evaluate

what services and policies your school already has in place (indicated by a “yes”) or what services and policies your school may be lacking that may need to be implemented or revised (indicated by a “no”).

Administrative Issues Checklist

Suicide Prevention Referral Process

The following steps outline the suicide prevention referral process for the Baldwin County Public School System:

Talk/conference with the student who is at suicide risk.

Have the student to complete a “No Harm Contract.” This contract should be signed by both the student and the counselor.

Encourage the student to make contact with either the Baldwin County Mental Health Center Crisis Line (1-800-738-2871) or the Mobile Helpline (1-800-239-1117) if he/she feels as though he will change his mind and harm himself.

Suicide Prevention Referral Process (cont.) Notify the school principal of the student who

is at suicide risk. After talking with the student, complete the

“Suicide Intervention Form,” which should be forwarded to the Intervention Supervisor via courier. (DO NOT FAX THE SUICIDE INTERVENTION FORM.) The counselor should make a copy for herself, which should be retained for her personal files. The principal’s signature should also be included on this Suicide Intervention Form.

Suicide Prevention Referral Process (cont.) Inform the student’s parent that the child is at suicide

risk. (Make contact with the student’s parent via telephone.)

Decide if the student needs to be referred to Baldwin County Mental Health. If he is referred, make sure that the Parent Release of Information is signed, and that the Baldwin County Mental Health Referral Form is also completed. Fax the referral form to 928-0126. (DO NOT FAX THE REFERRAL FORM TO THE INTERVENTION SUPERVISOR.) Direct the parent/guardian to contact Access to Care at 1-800-738-2871.

A Suicide In-Service Training Model

Pre-Training Planning Gaining administrative support When and where to offer the training In-service participants

Presentation Components Pre/Post test Verbal and behavioral warning signs, as well as

general statistics about suicide School referral procedures Generate an awareness of personal feelings and

attitudes regarding suicide

A Suicide In-Service Training Model (cont.)

Explore role plays or case examples Evaluate for two reasons: (1) to gauge the

effectiveness of the in-service format and materials and (2) to assess the amount of knowledge gained

Additional Training Activities for Consideration Asking staff to write down phrases or

sentences they have heard that may be verbal warning signs of suicide.

Counselors reading a short story about adolescent suicide to faculty and staff members so they can become more familiar with feelings experienced by suicidal students.

Performing more extensive role plays to help demonstrate how to recognize and refer suicidal students.

School Suicide Postvention: Response Protocol Review risk factors and warning signs with

school faculty and support staff Do not release information in a large

assembly or over the intercom Conduct small group student notifications Visit the victim’s classes Provide psychoeducation and/or

psychological first aid services for impacted students and staff, as indicated

School Suicide Postvention: Response Protocol Notify parents of highly affected students Provide recommendations for community-based

mental health services Conduct faculty planning session Hold evening meeting for parents Provide information on community-based funeral

services/memorials Collaborate with media, law enforcement, and

community agencies Prepare for secondary adversities/anniversaries

School Suicide Postvention: Key Messages Points to emphasize to students, parents,

media: Prevention (warning signs, risk factors) Survivors are not responsible for death Mental illness etiology Normalize anger Stress alternatives Help is available

Suicide Postvention: Cautions

Avoid romanticizing or glorifying the event Avoid vilifying the victim Do not provide excessive details Do not describe the event as courageous or

rational Address the loss, but avoid school disruption

as best as possible

School Suicide Postvention: Intervention Goals Help students separate facts from rumors Redirect guilt responses Ensure understanding that suicide is permanent Ensure acceptance of reactions as normal Express that coping will occur with support Ensure understanding that fleeting thoughts of

suicide are not unusual Ensure student recognition of warning signs and help

resources Ensure understanding of funeral expectations

Memorial Activities Following a Suicide Don’t conduct on campus memorial services Don’t glorify act Avoid mass assemblies focusing on the victim Don’t establish permanent memorials to the victim

such as plaques Don’t dedicate yearbooks, songs, or sporting events

to the suicide victim Don’t fly the flag at half staff Don’t have assemblies focusing on the suicide victim,

or have a moment of silence during an all-school assembly

Memorial Activities Following a Suicide Treat all deaths in the same way Do something to prevent other suicides (e.g.,

encourage crisis hotline volunteerism) Develop living memorials, such as student

assistance programs, that will help students cope with feelings and problems

Encourage affected students, with parental permission, to attend the funeral

Encourage parents and clergy to avoid glorifying the suicidal act

Memorial Activities Following a Suicide Provide a day of community service Sponsor a mental health awareness day Purchase books on mental health for the

school media center Raise funds for a local crisis center Create a memory book for the family of the

deceased that includes condolences and memories

Memorial Activities Following a Suicide Make a contribution to support a suicide

prevention program Donate blood to the American Red Cross Establish a scholarship fund

Suggestions for Helping Children Grieve After a Suicide Be honest with your children. Give the

correct information in a loving, compassionate way.

Provide a clear and direct explanation. Be careful not to over explain.

Listen carefully. Answer children’s questions truthfully and be consistent in telling the truth about the suicide.

Talk about the deceased family member. Discuss better ways than suicide to handle

problems.

Suggestions for Helping Children Grieve After a Suicide Tell all your children—even the younger ones. Encourage children to share their grief with those

at home and with trusted persons outside the family.

Help children grieve by letting them see your tears, by crying with them, and by letting them know that it’s okay to be upset.

Have a positive attitude toward your children. Be aware of your children’s possible feelings of

guilt. Assure them that it wasn’t their fault.

Suggestions for Helping Children Grieve After a Suicide Let children know that suicide is an individual

matter. Even if family members do it, they can still choose not to.

Be aware that children may experience all the many emotions and phases of grief.

Teach your children to be selective about who they tell the story of suicide.

Suggested Activities for Raising Awareness of Teen Suicide Provide an in-service for staff about suicide

issues Provide presentations to schools, churches,

parents, etc. in your local community, to local legislators and politicians

Ask local community leaders to declare the first week in September as Suicide Prevention Week

Utilize the visual arts to emphasize suicide prevention, i.e., art/poster contests, etc.

Suggested Activities for Raising Awareness of Teen Suicide (cont.) Send a letter home to parents about suicide,

means of prevention, and resource information including the Info line number: 2-1-1

Check with area youth service bureaus, libraries, schools, etc. for information on local initiatives regarding Youth Suicide Prevention Week

Include information about suicide prevention in your agency communiqué

Suggested Activities for Raising Awareness of Teen Suicide (cont.) Encourage and support student involvement Hold a fundraiser/awareness raiser for a

suicide prevention foundation Ask the local paper to write on some aspect

of teen suicide prevention. Other possibilities include: a school or college newspaper, radio, television, public access networks, pod-cast(s), blogs, etc.

Community Resources

Alabama Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

3918 Montclair Road, Suite 210

Birmingham, Alabama 35213

205-323-4433 or www.afsp.org

A leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.

Community Resources

Baldwin County Mental Health Center

372 South Greeno Road

Fairhope, Alabama 36532

928-9500

Maintains a 24-hour crisis line with professional staff available to respond to persons in crisis because of serious emotional, mental, and substance abuse problems.

Community Resources

Bay Area Grief Coalition

432-6200 or contactus@dauphinwayumc.org

Provides grief support for children and teens, ages 4-19, who are grieving the loss of a close family member

Meetings are held the 3rd Saturday of each month at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in McGowin Hall

Support is also available for adults who are dealing with their child’s grief.

Community Resources

Fairhope United Methodist Church155 South Section StreetFairhope, Alabama 36532928-1148 or www.fairhopeumc.org Offers a support group for students who are coping with suicide loss

Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Inc.431-5111 Monday-Friday or 1-800-273-TALK A suicide hotline that is available 24 hours a day/7 days a weekThis anonymous, confidential community resource serves Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, and Washington Counties

Community Resources

National Hopeline Network

1-800-784-2433

This national crisis hotline network automatically connects people who are depressed or suicidal, or those who are concerned about someone they love, to a CONTACT USA or AAS certified crisis center.

Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255

A free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress

Community Resources

Survivors of Suicide

979-5705

Contact Mr. Bill Specht for information

This is a resource for anyone whose life has been affected by another’s suicide. This resource is not for individuals who are suicidal.

Community Resources

Youth Suicide Prevention Programc/o Catholic Social Services400 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602434-1550 ext. 27Contact: Mrs. Buffy MarstonJason Foundation Program—counsels students ages 4-18; strives to provide students with accurate information and tools to identify the warning signs of suicide, how to provide peer support, and learn where to get help. Provide educational classes to school groups and youth programs in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Also provides one on one counseling to individuals of all ages who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or whose life has been affected by another’s suicide.

National Resources

American Association of Suicidology (AAS): The goal of the AAS is to understand and prevent suicide. AAS promotes research, public awareness programs, education, and training for professionals, survivors, and all interested persons. AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide. AAS has many resources and publications, which are available to its membership and the general public. www.suicidology.org 5221 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20015 202-237-2280

National Resources

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1,100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education www.nami.org

National Resources

Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) promotes the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and enhances the nation’s mental health infrastructure by providing states, government agencies, private organizations, colleges and universities, and suicide survivor and mental health consumer groups with access to the science and experience that can support their efforts to develop programs, implement interventions, and promote policies to prevent suicide. www.sprc.org

National Resources

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to funding research, developing prevention initiatives, and offering educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians, and the public. www.afsp.org 120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 888-333-2377

National Resources

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE): SAVE’s mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma, and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide. www.save.org 8120 Penn Avenue South, Suite 470 Bloomington, MN 55431 952-946-7998

Educational Resource

The Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide is designed to provide accurate, user-friendly information. The Guide is not a program, but is a tool that provides a framework for schools to assess their existing or proposed suicide prevention efforts (through a series of checklists) and provides resources and information that school administrators can use to enhance or add to their existing program.

Resource Books

After a Parent’s Suicide: Helping Children Heal by Margo Requarth

After a Suicide: An Activity Book for Grieving Kids by The Dougy Center

An Empty Chair: Living in the Wake of a Sibling’s Suicide by Sara Swan Miller

Do They Have Bad Days in Heaven? Surviving the Suicide Loss of a Sibling by Michelle Linn-Gust

Resource Books (cont.)

My Son…My Son: A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss, or Suicide by Iris Bolton

Someone I Love Died by Suicide: A Story for Child Survivors and Those Who Care For Them by Doreen T. Cammarata

Why Did You Die? Activities to Help Children Cope With Grief and Loss by Erika Leeuwenburgh and Ellen Goldring

Why Would Someone Want to Die? by Rebecca C. Schmidt

Unexpected death is always painful, but perhaps none more so than Unexpected death is always painful, but perhaps none more so than the self-destruction of a young person and a life, with all its potential the self-destruction of a young person and a life, with all its potential and promise, cut short by one desperate and all too final act. and promise, cut short by one desperate and all too final act.

Healthy, supportive, and informed schools can do much to prevent teen suicide, to identify students at risk, and to direct teens to prompt, effective treatment. Prevention, education, intervention, and postvention (i.e., response to suicide attempts and completions) are the keys to reducing the number of young people who take their own lives.