Is it the blues? Depression & Suicide Prevention in Our Schools Naveen Jonathan, LMFT National Catholic Educators Association Conference Anaheim, CA April 16, 2009 Naveen Jonathan, LMFT National Catholic Educators Association Conference Anaheim, CA April 16, 2009
Visualization Close your eyes. Think of a child current or in the past that you felt is/was at risk for depression and/or suicide. Put yourself in their shoes. What do you think they might be feeling/thinking? What do you think they need from you as a teacher/administrator? Close your eyes. Think of a child current or in the past that you felt is/was at risk for depression and/or suicide. Put yourself in their shoes. What do you think they might be feeling/thinking? What do you think they need from you as a teacher/administrator?
Research 1 out of 5 students from grades 4 -8 report being depressed. 1 out of 5 students from grades 4 -8 report being depressed. 1 out of 4 students in high school report being depressed. 1 out of 4 students in high school report being depressed. 23% of public/private school students ages attempt suicide annually. 23% of public/private school students ages attempt suicide annually. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for students aged Suicide is the third leading cause of death for students aged out of 5 students from grades 4 -8 report being depressed. 1 out of 5 students from grades 4 -8 report being depressed. 1 out of 4 students in high school report being depressed. 1 out of 4 students in high school report being depressed. 23% of public/private school students ages attempt suicide annually. 23% of public/private school students ages attempt suicide annually. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for students aged Suicide is the third leading cause of death for students aged
More Research 58% of students that attempt suicide in high school indicated/showed signs of need in elementary school. 58% of students that attempt suicide in high school indicated/showed signs of need in elementary school. 80% of students that attempted suicide did not want to kill themselves but just “end the pain.” 80% of students that attempted suicide did not want to kill themselves but just “end the pain.” 50% of students knew of the intentions of a classmate who attempted suicide. 50% of students knew of the intentions of a classmate who attempted suicide. 40% of students knew of someone who attempted suicide. 40% of students knew of someone who attempted suicide. 58% of students that attempt suicide in high school indicated/showed signs of need in elementary school. 58% of students that attempt suicide in high school indicated/showed signs of need in elementary school. 80% of students that attempted suicide did not want to kill themselves but just “end the pain.” 80% of students that attempted suicide did not want to kill themselves but just “end the pain.” 50% of students knew of the intentions of a classmate who attempted suicide. 50% of students knew of the intentions of a classmate who attempted suicide. 40% of students knew of someone who attempted suicide. 40% of students knew of someone who attempted suicide.
Depression & Suicide Can Occur: In any ethnic/cultural/racial group In any ethnic/cultural/racial group In any community In any community In any home In any home With any gender With any gender In any religious group In any religious group Yes even in a Catholic School. Yes even in a Catholic School. In any ethnic/cultural/racial group In any ethnic/cultural/racial group In any community In any community In any home In any home With any gender With any gender In any religious group In any religious group Yes even in a Catholic School. Yes even in a Catholic School.
Factors Depression/Mental Health Issue Depression/Mental Health Issue Family History Family History Stressful life events (Death, Divorce) Stressful life events (Death, Divorce) Discrimination Discrimination Physical/Psychological Problems Physical/Psychological Problems Abuse & Neglect Abuse & Neglect Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Past Attempts Past Attempts Depression/Mental Health Issue Depression/Mental Health Issue Family History Family History Stressful life events (Death, Divorce) Stressful life events (Death, Divorce) Discrimination Discrimination Physical/Psychological Problems Physical/Psychological Problems Abuse & Neglect Abuse & Neglect Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Past Attempts Past Attempts
On Campus It Can cause: Academic underachievement Academic underachievement Social isolation Social isolation Difficult relationships with peers and teachers Difficult relationships with peers and teachers Absences from school Absences from school Behavior problems at school Behavior problems at school Academic underachievement Academic underachievement Social isolation Social isolation Difficult relationships with peers and teachers Difficult relationships with peers and teachers Absences from school Absences from school Behavior problems at school Behavior problems at school
Signs & Symptoms of Depression Frequent sadness (Crying/Tears) Frequent sadness (Crying/Tears) Hopelessness Hopelessness Withdrawal from friends/activities Withdrawal from friends/activities Lack of enthusiasm/motivation Lack of enthusiasm/motivation Decreased energy level Decreased energy level Changes in eating/sleeping Changes in eating/sleeping Irritability/Anger/Agitation Irritability/Anger/Agitation Frequent sadness (Crying/Tears) Frequent sadness (Crying/Tears) Hopelessness Hopelessness Withdrawal from friends/activities Withdrawal from friends/activities Lack of enthusiasm/motivation Lack of enthusiasm/motivation Decreased energy level Decreased energy level Changes in eating/sleeping Changes in eating/sleeping Irritability/Anger/Agitation Irritability/Anger/Agitation
Signs & Symptoms (Continued) Physical Complaints (Head/Stomach) Physical Complaints (Head/Stomach) Indecisive Indecisive Inability to concentrate Inability to concentrate Feeling worthless Feeling worthless Feeling rejected/failure Feeling rejected/failure Draws/speaks in dark ways Draws/speaks in dark ways Aggressive/Sad themes in play Aggressive/Sad themes in play Talk of death Talk of death Physical Complaints (Head/Stomach) Physical Complaints (Head/Stomach) Indecisive Indecisive Inability to concentrate Inability to concentrate Feeling worthless Feeling worthless Feeling rejected/failure Feeling rejected/failure Draws/speaks in dark ways Draws/speaks in dark ways Aggressive/Sad themes in play Aggressive/Sad themes in play Talk of death Talk of death
Signs & Symptoms of Suicide Noticeable changes of eating/sleeping habits Noticeable changes of eating/sleeping habits Withdrawal from friends/family/activities Withdrawal from friends/family/activities Persistent boredom/moodiness/lonely Persistent boredom/moodiness/lonely Decline in quality of work Decline in quality of work Violent/rebellious behavior Violent/rebellious behavior Running Away Running Away Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Neglect of Personal Appearance Neglect of Personal Appearance Difficulty with Concentrating Difficulty with Concentrating Radical Personality Changes Radical Personality Changes Noticeable changes of eating/sleeping habits Noticeable changes of eating/sleeping habits Withdrawal from friends/family/activities Withdrawal from friends/family/activities Persistent boredom/moodiness/lonely Persistent boredom/moodiness/lonely Decline in quality of work Decline in quality of work Violent/rebellious behavior Violent/rebellious behavior Running Away Running Away Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Neglect of Personal Appearance Neglect of Personal Appearance Difficulty with Concentrating Difficulty with Concentrating Radical Personality Changes Radical Personality Changes
Signs & Symptoms of Suicide (Continued) Physical Complaints Physical Complaints Verbal hints Verbal hints Putting affairs in order Putting affairs in order Unusual purchases Unusual purchases Loss of interest in hobbies/sports Loss of interest in hobbies/sports Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression STRONG LINK: between depression & suicide STRONG LINK: between depression & suicide Physical Complaints Physical Complaints Verbal hints Verbal hints Putting affairs in order Putting affairs in order Unusual purchases Unusual purchases Loss of interest in hobbies/sports Loss of interest in hobbies/sports Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression STRONG LINK: between depression & suicide STRONG LINK: between depression & suicide
Your Role As An Educator 80% of students who attempted suicide gave some indication before the attempt. 80% of students who attempted suicide gave some indication before the attempt. 52% of students in danger reached out to an educator for help. However, only 13% of educators responded when a child needed help. 52% of students in danger reached out to an educator for help. However, only 13% of educators responded when a child needed help. Only 20% of educators who were surveyed stated they knew how to respond when a student came to them for help. Only 20% of educators who were surveyed stated they knew how to respond when a student came to them for help. Prevention is key to preventing suicide! Prevention is key to preventing suicide! 80% of students who attempted suicide gave some indication before the attempt. 80% of students who attempted suicide gave some indication before the attempt. 52% of students in danger reached out to an educator for help. However, only 13% of educators responded when a child needed help. 52% of students in danger reached out to an educator for help. However, only 13% of educators responded when a child needed help. Only 20% of educators who were surveyed stated they knew how to respond when a student came to them for help. Only 20% of educators who were surveyed stated they knew how to respond when a student came to them for help. Prevention is key to preventing suicide! Prevention is key to preventing suicide!
Your Role (Continued) What should you say? What should you say? What should you not say? What should you not say? What are your attitudes on this matter? What are your attitudes on this matter? Do you believe various myths about suicide? Do you believe various myths about suicide? What should you say? What should you say? What should you not say? What should you not say? What are your attitudes on this matter? What are your attitudes on this matter? Do you believe various myths about suicide? Do you believe various myths about suicide?
Prevention Methods Education (Being open to talk about it) Education (Being open to talk about it) Destigmatize the problem Destigmatize the problem Support those who need help Support those who need help Encourage those in need to seek help (Destigmatize treatment). Encourage those in need to seek help (Destigmatize treatment). Referring to trained professionals! Referring to trained professionals! Encourage students to help friends who might be considering suicide. Encourage students to help friends who might be considering suicide. Followup presentations/conversations Followup presentations/conversations Education (Being open to talk about it) Education (Being open to talk about it) Destigmatize the problem Destigmatize the problem Support those who need help Support those who need help Encourage those in need to seek help (Destigmatize treatment). Encourage those in need to seek help (Destigmatize treatment). Referring to trained professionals! Referring to trained professionals! Encourage students to help friends who might be considering suicide. Encourage students to help friends who might be considering suicide. Followup presentations/conversations Followup presentations/conversations
If someone discloses they are suicidal: Keep yourself calm Keep yourself calm Keep the student calm Keep the student calm Show you care Show you care Take all talk of suicide seriously Take all talk of suicide seriously Listen Listen Reflect Reflect Use age appropriate language Use age appropriate language Ask about suicide Ask about suicide Do not hesitate to bring up the subject Do not hesitate to bring up the subject Thoughts, means, plan Thoughts, means, plan Keep yourself calm Keep yourself calm Keep the student calm Keep the student calm Show you care Show you care Take all talk of suicide seriously Take all talk of suicide seriously Listen Listen Reflect Reflect Use age appropriate language Use age appropriate language Ask about suicide Ask about suicide Do not hesitate to bring up the subject Do not hesitate to bring up the subject Thoughts, means, plan Thoughts, means, plan
If someone discloses... (Continued) Assure the person that you want to help them get help Assure the person that you want to help them get help Assist in finding appropriate resources. Assist in finding appropriate resources. Discuss a potential safety plan Discuss a potential safety plan Inform Parents Inform Parents Inform Principal Inform Principal DO NOT leave student alone!!!! DO NOT leave student alone!!!! Assure the person that you want to help them get help Assure the person that you want to help them get help Assist in finding appropriate resources. Assist in finding appropriate resources. Discuss a potential safety plan Discuss a potential safety plan Inform Parents Inform Parents Inform Principal Inform Principal DO NOT leave student alone!!!! DO NOT leave student alone!!!!
Beware: Be vigilant after a student threatens/attempts suicide. Be vigilant after a student threatens/attempts suicide. Suicide pacts Suicide pacts Be vigilant after a student threatens/attempts suicide. Be vigilant after a student threatens/attempts suicide. Suicide pacts Suicide pacts
Resources Depression Support Alliance - Depression Support Alliance National Suicide Prevention Hotline - National Suicide Prevention Hotline - (800) 273-TALK (800) 273-TALK American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Center for Disease Control & Prevention - Center for Disease Control & Prevention - Depression Support Alliance - Depression Support Alliance National Suicide Prevention Hotline - National Suicide Prevention Hotline - (800) 273-TALK (800) 273-TALK American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Center for Disease Control & Prevention - Center for Disease Control & Prevention -
More Resources Suicide Prevention Action Network - Suicide Prevention Action Network Youth Suicide Prevention Plan - Youth Suicide Prevention Plan Therapist Locator - Therapist Locator In any emergency do not hesitate to call 911 In any emergency do not hesitate to call 911 Suicide Prevention Action Network - Suicide Prevention Action Network Youth Suicide Prevention Plan - Youth Suicide Prevention Plan Therapist Locator - Therapist Locator In any emergency do not hesitate to call 911 In any emergency do not hesitate to call 911
Remember: Your actions greatly influence and shape a child’s life. Your actions greatly influence and shape a child’s life. Be open so that a child can tell you when they are in trouble and need help. Be open so that a child can tell you when they are in trouble and need help. With your help these problems can be prevented at your school! With your help these problems can be prevented at your school! Your actions greatly influence and shape a child’s life. Your actions greatly influence and shape a child’s life. Be open so that a child can tell you when they are in trouble and need help. Be open so that a child can tell you when they are in trouble and need help. With your help these problems can be prevented at your school! With your help these problems can be prevented at your school!
Questions
Thank you! Thank you for assisting students dealing with depression and preventing suicide at your school! Thank you for assisting students dealing with depression and preventing suicide at your school!