1. Depression & Suicidality
Project Success+ & CAPE

2. Introduction Project Success-Student Support Program
Assess and Refer to Services
Group and Individual Counseling
Education
Windsor SOS Clinic
CAPE-(Crisis Assessment Prevention Education)

3. Statistics
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for years olds, higher than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease
A teen dies by suicide every 2 hours. For every 1 teen death by suicide, there are 25 teen attempts.
4 in 5 teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs
75% of those who die of suicide are depressed. Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide
20% of teens will experience depression before reaching adulthood
Less than 33% of teens with depression get help

4. Risk Factors Mental Illness/Depression/Substance Use
Family Stress – (Interpersonal/Financial/Marital)
Family history of suicide, local epidemics of suicide, past suicide attempts
LGBTQ
Situational Crisis (Major loss: recent breakup, expulsion, divorce, etc)
Adverse Childhood Experience (Abuse, family violence, hostile environment)
Barriers to mental health treatment

5. Depression Depression is more than bad moods and acting out
Sadness lasts more than two weeks
Chemical imbalance (enzyme breaks down dopamine and serotonin, smaller hippocampus), Different hormone levels (increase in cortisol)
Genetic (1 to 3.5 times, 76% identical twins)
Result of death or loss, stressful events, serious illness, substance abuse (30%), personal problems, conflicts, abuse, medication (Accutane)

6. What are some symptoms of depression?

7. Signs of Depression Sadness and hopelessness Irritable, angry, hostile
Frequent crying
Withdrawal from friends and family
Loss of interest in activities, lack of motivation, lack of energy
Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Restlessness and agitation, difficulty concentrating
Worthlessness, thoughts of suicide

8. Signs of Potential Suicide
Suicide Warning Signs Suicide warning signs may be direct or indirect. The more warning signs observed, the greater the risk! Take all warning signs seriously!

9. Signs of Potential Suicide Verbal Clues
Direct Verbal Cues
Indirect Verbal Cues
I wish I were dead
I want this to be over
I’m going to end it all
You’re better off without me
If (*) doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself
You won’t have to worry about me much longer
I’m going to commit suicide
Nobody cares about me

10. Signs of Potential Suicide Behavioral Clues
Acting recklessly: Engaging in risk taking behaviors
Unexplained anger, aggression, hostility
Acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills
Giving away prized possessions
Self-destructive acts (such as cutting)
Dramatic changes in personality/behavior
Depression symptoms/ Substance Abuse
Has attempted suicide in the past

11. Signs of Potential Suicide Situational Clues
Expelled from school
Loss of any major relationship
Death of friend or family member (especially by suicide)
Diagnosis of serious illness
Embarrassment/humiliation in front of peers
Victim of assault or bullying
Sudden loss of freedom/fear of punishment

12. Common Misconceptions About Suicide
Myths about Suicide
Common Misconceptions About Suicide

13. Myths about Suicide
Myth. “People who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention” OR “ People who talk about suicide don’t actually try to kill themselves”
Fact: Perhaps this person IS trying to get attention, but they are trying to tell you something is wrong. People who talk about suicide may try, or even complete an act of self destruction

14. Myths about Suicide
Myth. “Suicide always occurs without warning signs” OR “People who are suicidal do not seek help”
Fact: Most suicidal people communicate their intent sometime during the week preceding their attempt % of all suicides have indications of warning. Although teens may not seek help directly, they ask for help in many indirect ways.

15. Myths about Suicide
Myth. “Talking about Suicide will give them the idea to do it”
Fact: Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers anxiety, opens up communication, and lowers the risk of an impulsive act.

16. Myths about Suicide
Myth. “Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop it” OR “People who are suicidal definitely want to die” Fact: Suicide is the most preventable kind of death, and almost any positive action may save a life.

17. Myths about Suicide
Myth. “People who attempt suicide and survive will not attempt suicide again” OR “People who become suicidal will always be suicidal” Fact: Neither is true! Appropriate clinical treatment is key in helping suicidal individuals reach a place of safety.

18. How can we bring up these topics to our students?

19. How to talk to your child
Remain Calm. Try not to become defensive.
Listen. Avoid asking too many questions, don’t try to talk them out of their feelings
Offer support-let them know you are there for him
Reassure them that there is help out there and that they won’t feel this way forever
Be persistent-even if your child shuts you out, let them know you are concerned and are willing to listen
Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide

20. What to do Be aware of depression and suicide warning signs
Take all suicide statements seriously! If a teen threatens suicide, regardless of intent, there is something wrong and professional help is needed
Talk to your child about suicide.
Remove or lock up objects that could be used to hurt themselves ex: Guns, medication, Tylenol, razors.

21. What to do
Become knowledgeable about good mental health services for teens. Don’t be afraid to seek Professional help! Its not a parents job to know how to handle all the problems that arise
Be aware of what your child is doing online. Bullying can contribute to suicidal thoughts
Be prepared to make a change. Family therapy can help navigate new ways of being.
Seek your own mental health treatment. Being a parent is stressful

22. If High Risk:
If they can’t contract for safety or have intent, plan, means
Take your child to the hospital immediately (based on your insurance carrier): either Kaiser or PES (Psychiatric Emergency Services)
At Kaiser or PES they will assess your child and may hold them for 72 hours based on risk of suicide
May get a call from CAPE-they will have assessed your child for suicide risk and have decided to take them to the hospital
You will meet them at Hospital-Either Kaiser or PES

23. Protective Factors Beliefs that Discourage Suicide
Contact with Caring Adults
Cultural/Religious
Easy Access to Psychiatric Support
Effective Social Support System
Responsibility to Family/Friends
Good Coping Skills
Positive-Self Esteem
Restricted Access to Lethal Means
Sense of Connection to School
Support of Family in Youth Identity
Support of Family in Seeking Help

24. What could help teens through these difficulties?

25. Resource List Project Success School Counselors Suicide Hotlines, Apps
Get resource handout!

26. Thank You!
Questions? Contact Project Success at x2188 or the student’s Academic Counselor.