Suicide Prevention November 23, 2015 Kristin Johns, BS, ADC, APS

Suicide Data: 2012 Houston County: 11 suicides reported Dale County: 4 suicides reported Geneva County: 4 suicides reported Barbour County: 3 suicides reported Henry County: 1 suicide reported http://www.adph.org/healthstats/index.asp?id=1521

Youth Suicides: 2012

Suicides: Where and When Where: ¾ suicides occur at home When: “How much time passed between the time you decided to complete suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?” 24%: less than 5 minutes 47%: an hour or less 33% of youth who died from suicide faced a crisis within 24 hours before completed suicide www.meansmatter.org

Signs to Look For Depression Social Isolation Alcohol or drug abuse Giving away prized possessions Skipping classes or events Sleeping too much or too little Expressions like “I’d be better off dead.” Feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless Talk about feeling worthless; vicious self-accusations Absence of futuristic talk; talk of settling affairs; long trip

Signs to Look For (cont.) Changes in eating behaviors Drastic changes in behavior; impulsive and aggressive behavior with frequent expressions of rage Withdraws from friends and/or social activities Has attempted suicide before or has had a family member or close friend commit suicide Loses interest in their personal appearance Has had recent life changes; divorce of parents, death of friend or family member, relationship loss Indifference to effects of one’s death on others Sudden burst of energy after being very depressed

How do you help someone? ASK the hard question— “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” “Have you ever tried to hurt yourself before?” “Do you have a plan?” Listen without judgment.

How do you help someone? Give Reassurance Encourage Appropriate Professional Help and Self-Help National Suicide Prevention lifeline 1-800-273-8255 SpectraCare Health Systems local helpline 1-800-951-4357

Adult Outpatient Services 1-800-951-4357 24 hour helpline number, local Adult Outpatient Services 1672 Columbia Highway Dothan, AL 36301 334-712-6400

Resources http://www.afsp.org/ http://www.sprc.org/ http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ http://www.suicidology.org/ http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/index.html http://www.nami.org/ http://www.samhsa.gov/ http://www.asparc.org