Presented by: Mesa Police Public Safety Communications Training

Objectives: Understand facts & myths about suicides State at least 3 causes of suicidal behavior Understand gender disparities State at least 4 active listening techniques

Definition Suicide : A desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. The process of purposely ending one's own life..

Suicide: A Major Health Problem More than 33,000 Americans die by suicide each year1 suicide every 16 minutes (89 per day) 24% of the general population has considered suicide at some time in his/her life There are an estimated 832,500 attempts per year in the U.S million Americans will attempt suicide in their lifetime For every 2 people who die from homicides, 3 people die of suicide Approximately twice as many Americans die by suicides than from HIV/AIDS There are more suicides globally than deaths from war and violence combined

Suicide is: 11 th leading cause of death overall in America 3 rd leading cause of death for young Americans between the ages of nd leading cause of death for American young adults aged 25-34

Effects of Suicide 766,042 suicides (1982 – 2006) 6 to 100 survivors per suicide Estimated 4,799,800 survivors in the US

Myths People who talk about it don’t do it Suicidal people just want attention Suicidal people are mentally ill If a person is determined, nothing will stop them People who commit suicide are unwilling to seek help

More Myths Once the emotional state improves, the risk of suicide is over An unsuccessful attempt is not to be taken seriously Talking about suicide puts the thought in their head

Gender Disparities Male suicides are nearly 4 times female (79% of all US suicides) 7 th leading cause of death for men Suicide rates for males are highest for those aged 75 & older 56% of males use firearms Male

Gender Disparities - Female Women attempt suicide 2 to 3 times as often as men 11 th leading cause of death for women Suicide rates for women are highest for those aged Poisoning is most common among women – 40.3%

Racial & Ethnic Disparities Ages 15-34, suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death American Indian/Alaska Natives Suicide rates among ages are 1.8 times higher than the national average for that age group American Indian/Alaska Natives Have a higher percent of suicide attempts (14%) than White (7.7%) or Black (9.9%) counterparts Hispanic Female Students in Grades 9-12

Causes of Suicidal Behavior Loss Relational, Social, Work, or Financial Biology Physical illness Psychology Personal or social, uncertainty about the meaning of one’s life History Family, Depression, Alcohol or Drug abuse No single causeCan be a collection of issues

Motivators Punish Themselves Punish Others Alcohol Factor in 30% of completed Stay in Control By escaping accountability Escape from Pain (Mental or emotional)

Types of Suicide Familicide Murder/Suicide At least 1 parent & 1 or more child Copycat Duplication of another suicide Generally seen in the media Suicide by Cop Deliberately acts in a threatening manner, provoking lethal response from Law Enforcement

Other Types of Suicide Suicide attempt or gesture No actual intent to die Parasuicide 2 or more individuals with an agreed upon plan Suicide Pact Generally women Done to escape shame Honor Suicide

Methods:

Talking to the Suicidal Caller Be yourself, be concerned Listen Be sympathetic Non- judgmental Be patient Be calm Be accepting Avoid arguments Start help & reassure that help is on the way

What the Calltaker Should Do Determine Lethality A plan? Availability of means? Weapons Drinking or drug use? Previous attempts? Mental Health issues? Are they alone?

What the Calltaker Should Do  Ask direct questions  Start medical aid if needed  Don’t lie  Don’t guess (make assumptions)  Take the caller seriously  Don’t promise anything  Be open & receptive  Don’t jump to conclusions  Treat people with respect

Use: Calming Techniques “Help is on the way” “I need you to help me” Elicit & provide feedback Separate the emotional from the informational

Use: EncourageClarifyRestateReflect Summarize Validate

By listening, being sympathetic, non-judgmental, patient, calm and accepting you increase your chances of obtaining the information you need to help the caller, ensure the safety of our field units and make your job easier.

Resources  (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)  (National Institute for Mental Health)     APCO (The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials)