1. Social Work Interns’ Training: Suicide EvaluationsBy
Riley Bassford
Spring 2011

2. Facts about Adolescent Suicide
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in adolescents aged in the United states
Risk for a repetition of a suicide attempt is highest 3-6 months after first attempt
Suicide rates for males aged in the United States are four times higher than the rate for their female peers
1 in 4 suffer from depression or mood disorder, most go undiagnosed and suffer psychological pain
Most parasuicide occurs because there are firearms in the home or while incarcerated

3. Risk Factors Psychiatric disorder Depression Family history of suicide
Low family/peer support
Isolation
Self-hating thoughts
Talking about suicide
Age range or 75-85
Unemployment
Feelings of hopelessness
Criminal behaviors
Substance use
History of abuse
Physical illness
Male
Same sex orientation
Low SES

4. Protective Factors Supportive family
Connectedness to school or other organizations
Good social and coping skills
Self confidence
Willingness to seek help
Access to health services
Community support
Conflict resolution and skill building
Family cohesion and marital status
Parenting skills
School environment

5. Vital Questions to Ask
Have your problems been getting you down so much that you have been thinking about hurting yourself?
How would you hurt yourself?
Do you have the means available?
Have you ever tried to hurt yourself? If so how did you do it?
Has something happened to where you think life is not worth living?

6. Suicide Lethality Scale
Going-down Coming-Up _X___________________________X______
Bottom

7. Questions Continued What has been helping you stay alive so far
Why do you feel this is the time to hurt yourself? Why now?
Have you used alcohol or drugs?
Why do you want to live?
How frequently do you have these thoughts?
How long do these feelings last?
Is there anyone or anything that could stop you from hurting yourself? Who do you trust?

8. Sample Suicide Contract
SAMPLE NO SUICIDE CONTRACT
I,____________________, agree not to kill myself, attempt to kill myself, or cause any harm to myself during the period from__________ to__________, the time of my next appointment.
I agree to get enough sleep and eat well.
I agree to get rid of things I could use to kill myself-my guns and pills.
I agree that if I have a bad time and feel that I might hurt myself, I will call _____________, my counselor, immediately, at #____________________ or the Crisis Center at______________________.
I agree that these conditions are part of my counseling contract with ________________________.
SIGNED:________________________________
WITNESSED:_____________________________
DATE:_______________________________

9. Verification of Emergency Response Conference
I, or we, __________________________________, the parents of ________________, were involved in a conference with school personnel on _____________. We have been notified that our child is suicidal. We have been further advised that we should seek some psychological/psychiatric consultation immediately from the community. We have been provided with a list of community services. The school district has clarified its role and will provide follow-up assistance to our child to support the treatment services from the community.
_______________________________ ______________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Parent/Legal Guardian
_______________________________ ______________________________
School Staff member & Title School Staff Member & Title
(Poland: “Suicide Intervention in the Schools”)

10. List of Resources
1. Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center: (877) 7-CRISIS or (877) Toll free in Los Angeles or Orange County
2. USA National Suicide Hotline: SUICIDE or
3. Youth Crisis Hotline, 24 hours a day HIT-HOME ( )
4. The Trevor Project. or
“ Get Connected. Get Answers
6. Local Toll free Number for Emergency Psychiatric Evaluation in Orange County – 24 hour a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year:      or 
7. Orange County Government Website 8.

11. The End