1. Suicide Issues with teens, sexual abuse victims and the elderly

2. Signs of Suicide (SOS) Teaches teens that depression is a treatable illness Empowers them to respond to potential suicide by using the ACT Technique

3. ACT Technique ACKNOWLEDGE the signs of suicide Respond with CARE TELL a responsible adult

4. Acknowledge Do take it seriously 70% of all people who commit suicide give some warning of their intentions Do be willing to listen

5. Care Do voice your concern Take the initiative to ask what is troubling them. Attempt to overcome any reluctance on their part to talk about it

6. Treatment Do get profession help immediately Call 1-800-273-TALK to find resources in your area Bring your friend to local emergency room or community mental center Your friend will be more likely to seek help if you accompany them

7. What NOT to do Don’t try to cheer the person up or tell them to “snap out of it” Don’t assume the situation will take care of itself Don’t be sworn to secrecy Don’t argue or debate moral issues Don’t risk your personal safety. Just leave and then call the police

8. SOS Only school based program that has shown a reduction in suicide attempts in randomized study Has documented increases in help- seeking

9. According to SOS 17% of students have thought about suicide 11% of have attempted suicide 5% had attempted suicide in the past year

10. SOS College Student Program The program is implemented by existing college personnel 26% of college students who scored positive for depression had though or wanted to commit suicide 27% of college students who screened positive for bipolar disorder had thought about or wanted to commit suicide

11. SOS Community Suicide Prevention Program Designed for implementation by community-based organizations, hospitals or health centers 31% of adults who scored positive for depression had thought about or wanted to commit suicide 32% of adults who scored positive for bipolar disorder had thought about or wanted to commit suicide

12. Older Adults 11% of those 65 and older thought about or wanted to commit suicide “Feel Good Bingo” teaches older adults about the signs, symptoms and treatment options for depression and anxiety It is designed to be used in assisted living facilities, senior housing and community centers

13. National Mental Health Screening Day- October 6th First and largest nationwide, community- based mental health screening program Provides screening for: Depression Bipolar Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder PTSD

14. Two Bakersfield locations Beale Memorial Library – Auditorium on Truxtun Avenue Kern County Public Health Building on Mt. Vernon, next to KMC

15. World Suicide Prevention Day September 10 th “Prevention of suicide is everybody’s business.” Collaboration of International Association for Suicide Prevention and World Health Organization (WHO)

16. Approximately one million lives are lost annually due to suicide Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in younger people

17. Suicide profoundly affects individuals, families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and societies More lives are lost to suicide than in all wars and homicides worldwide every year

18. Warning Signs Key Messages Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill themselves Someone looking for ways to kill themselves by seeking access to firearms, pills or other means

19. Warning Signs Exhibits one of the following: Hopelessness Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking Feeling trapped – like there is no way out Increasing alcohol or drug use

20. Warning Signs Withdrawing from friends, family and society Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time Dramatic mood changes No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

21. Sexual Assault Victimization and Suicidal Behavior Based on research by Sarah Ullman, et al., (2004) It is well established that women attempt suicide more than men Females made three suicide attempts for each attempt made by a male

22. 1 in 10 adolescent girls are estimated to attempt suicide in their lifetime Compared with 1 in 25 adolescent boys

23. 5% of U.S. adults made a lifetime suicide attempt Two-thirds of which were female

24. History of sexual victimization 20-30% of women have been sexually abused in childhood and/or adulthood Sexual revictimization is also common with one third of child sexual abuse

25. Women with a history of sexual victimization have also reported: PTSD Depression Sexual problems Physical health problems Increased healthcare utilization

26. Adults reporting sexual and/or physical abuse in childhood report more: Self harm Suicidal ideation Suicidal behavior Than those without a childhood victimization history.

27. The link of childhood trauma and adult self-harm or suicide is strongest when abuse was: –Of long duration –By known perpetrators –Involved force and/or penetration

28. Suicidal behavior may be at higher risk if: Younger Less educated Unemployed From certain ethnic minority groups (Latina)

29. Self Harm Women who had been sexually abused as children reported more self-harm Especially if they had experienced more intrusive and frequent abuse

30. Suicide & Lesbian, Gay and Bisexuals Compared with their heterosexual peers, lesbians, gays and bisexuals youths have higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide It is possible that risk markers for suicidal behavior differs between LGB and non- LGB individuals

31. If differences are true, than suicidal interventions that generically target risk markers without regard to sexual orientation may be ineffective

32. Non-LGB populations Problem drinking Problem drug use Depression Were all found to be associated with elevated risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts

33. LGB populations Problem drinking and depression Were found to be associated with elevated risk for suicidal ideation

34. LGB Populations Problem drinking, drug use and depression were NOT associated with increased risk for suicide attempts

35. Conclusion LGB adolescents and young adults may need a different treatment focus And alternate points of entry to health services