Know the Signs Produced by the SHS Guidance Senator Angels Department You be the one to make a positive difference

Dispelling Myths Suicide Fact People who die by suicide usually talk about it first. They are in pain and oftentimes reach out for help because they do not know what to do and have lost hope. Always take talk about suicide seriously. Always.

What is Suicide Ideation? Suicide Ideation is a common medical term for thoughts about suicide, which may be as detailed as a formulated plan, without the suicidal act itself. Although most people who undergo suicidal ideation do not commit suicide, a significant number go on to make suicide attempts. The range of suicidal ideation varies greatly from fleeting to detailed planning self harm, role-playing, unsuccessful attempts which may be deliberately constructed to attempt or fail, or may be fully intended to succeed.

Mortality According to the Center for Disease Control For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. It results in approximately 4600 lives lost each year. The top three methods used in suicides of young people include  Firearm (45%),  Suffocation (40%),  Poisoning (8%). Center for Disease Control, CDC-INFO ( ) TTY: (888)

More young people survive suicide attempts than actually die.  A nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the (U.S.) found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13% reported creating a plan, and 8% reporting trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey. EEach year, approximately 157,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries at Emergency Departments across the U.S.

Mortality According to the Center for Disease Control Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. Of the reported suicides in the 10 to 24 age group, 81% of the deaths were males and 19% were females. Girls, however, are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys.

Mortality According to the Center for Disease Control  Cultural variations in suicide rates also exist, with Native American/Alaskan Native youth having the highest rates of suicide-related fatalities. AA nationwide survey of youth in grades 9–12 in public and private schools in the U.S. found Hispanic youth were more likely to report attempting suicide than their black and white peers.

Risk Factors  History of previous suicide attempts  Family history of suicide  History of depression or other mental illness  Alcohol or drug abuse  Stressful life event or loss  Easy access to lethal methods  Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others  Incarceration

KNOW THE SIGNS OF Suicide IDEATION Suicide Definitely IS PREVENTABLE

Multiple Choice Test for Parents  Child: “These mean girls call me names everyday. They tell rumors about me and make me feel like I’m nothing. I don’t want to go back into that class.” Choose Best Answer ___ Everyone teases at your age. Just ignore them. ___You are awesome. You don’t deserve to be mistreated. ___Nobody can intimidate you or make you feel worthless but you. ___You are NOT alone. Tell me everything. I’m ready to listen. ___Both “B” and “D” ___Both “A” and “C”

The Answer is not “A” or “C”  Repeated “teasing” can be a form of bullying and no one should be teased when they are at school to learn. No student should have to feel uncomfortable.  Ever heard the expression, “Your rights end where my rights begin?” If that sensitive line is crossed, it is possible to make a child feel intimidated, especially if their self esteem isn’t 110%. And most teens are just learning who they are so teasing them could hurt them severely. Intimidation is against school policy. Such situations must be addressed.

Choose “B” and “D”  Make a true statement to your student that can build their esteem. Let the student know s/he does matter and what they are reporting to you is worth reporting.  When a child speaks, listen to them. It takes a lot of courage to say that something is bothering them. Show great interest in hearing the problem. Contact the school and ask for help if something deemed negative is happening on school grounds.

Hurt Speaks when Caring People Listen  Listen not only to words, but actions. Pay attention if a child isolates him or herself from family and friends, appears sad, changes sleeping patterns or increases/loses appetite.  If a child reaches out to you in pain, it is best to find out all the details behind the hurt. Listen, listen, listen.

The Best way to Be PROACTIVE  Habitually ask children to tell you about their day. Be approachable. Tell them how much you care even when you feel things are going well.  Assert yourself as the person your child trusts and would come to first with problems.  Make sure you have phone numbers and crisis hotlines accessible.

What NOT to do  DON’T:  Tell them they are stupid for feeling that way  Assume they ‘don’t mean it’ or are just trying to get attention.  Ignore them  Don’t insist that they don’t feel the way they are telling you they feel. If they ask for help, then understand that they probably have been suffering on the inside prior to finally asking for help.

If the threat is imminent, meaning the student has either openly stated that s/he is going to harm himself, declared a plan to take pills, use a gun or another planned method, or appears to be under the influence of illegal/overmedication of legal substances while discussing suicide ideation, fantasizes about suicide or homicide, OR you have any other reason to deem the threat an emergency….then… An Imminent Threat Do NOT send the student alone to the bathroom, bedroom or anywhere without calling for professional help.

1. Keep the student with you or another responsible adult until you can get him to a professional therapist for an immediate evaluation/assessment 2. Contact the Nova Center, Decatur West, or Huntsville Hospital ER. You may also call Don’t take matters into your own hands— let a professional assist in all suicide ideation matters. If your child tells you s/he wants to commit suicide:

If you learn that a student has spoken, written, drawn pictures, posted suicide ideation on a social network, or has made any indication of suicidal thoughts… or If someone reports to you that a child has expressed suicidal intentions Make sure guns/pills/other lethal avenues are not accessible Make sure that the student’s parents are notified immediately

Suicide Prevention RESOURCES  Nova Center (256)  Decatur General (256) /(256) /(800)  Madison County Mental Health  Huntsville Hospital ER (256)  Crisis Services of North Alabama  SUICIDE  TALK  CDC-INFO

Suspected Suicide Ideation Review  Print the Resource Page on the previous slide and place it where you can get to it in the event of an emergency.  Ensure the student’s safety by not leaving him or her alone if the threat is imminent.  Contact a custodial parent Check off List for Parents/Community/Friend:

 School counselors, principals and nurses are NOT psychiatrists, licensed therapists or mental health professionals. They cannot treat a student for suicide or provide therapy.  School counselors will contact custodial parents in the event of suicidal expression. If there is an imminent threat on campus, counselors will contact additional emergency resources, especially when a parent is unreachable.

Additional Education  American Association of Suicidology:  Additional Slides to follow with more information……

Smile at someone Make a sad heart a GLAD heart!!! Have you told a child something positive today?

Myths About Suicide Suicide always occurs without any warning signs Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop them. People who attempt suicide and survive will not attempt suicide again There are almost always warning signs. Suicide can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to stop their pain. People who attempt suicide and survive will oftentimes make additional attempts.

More Myths About Suicide Myths Facts

YOU be the one to make a positive difference! Own it! Nurture it! Excel it! Make a Sad Heart Smile! With LOVE from the SHS Guidance Department