SUICIDE

1. SUICIDE PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE GUIDELINES EVERY SUICIDE IS DIFFERENT IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS OR FEEL SUICIDAL You are not alone, GET HELP!!!

2. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

3. Suicide • Fatal self-inflicted destructive act with explicit or inferred intent to die • Suicidal behavior runs from a continuum of thinking about: • Ending one’s life • To developing a plan • To nonfatal suicidal behavior • To the actual ending of one’s life

4. Some Suicide Myths • It is dangerous to ask people if they are contemplating suicide • People who talk about suicide do not commit the act • Suicide can’t be prevented, it happens on impulse • Suicidal people are intent on dying and will ultimately succeed despite all intervention • Only mentally ill people commit suicide • If the suicidal person seems happy, and at peace with themselves, then the risk is over • The propensity for suicide is inherited • Most suicidal young people never seek or ask for help with their problems. • Suicidal young people are always angry when someone intervenes and they will resent that person afterwards. • Every death is preventable. • People who threaten suicide are just seeking attention • Suicide is painless

5. High risk behavior for suicide • Research has shown that the following behaviors are very high risk for attempted and/or completed suicide: • Feeling helpless, hopeless and pain (physical and/or emotional) • History of previous attempts • Having a plan and the means to carry it out

6. RISK FACTORS (CDC) • Family history of suicide • Family history of child maltreatment • Previous suicide attempt(s) • History of mental disorders, particularly clinical depression • History of alcohol and substance abuse • Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, pain (physical and psychological) • Impulsive or aggressive tendencies • Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal dilemma) • Local epidemics of suicide • Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people • Barriers to accessing mental health treatment • Loss (relational, social, work, or financial) • Physical illness • Easy access to lethal methods –especially firearms • Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts

7. How can we prevent suicide?

8. 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml • Ask:“Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question but studies show that asking at risk individual  if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. • Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference. • Be there: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.

9. Help them connect: Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your phone so it’s there when you need it: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional. • Stay Connected: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. The number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person. • YOUR SAFETY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!

10. When You Fear Someone May Take Their Own Life • Most suicides give some warning of their intentions. The most effective way to prevent a friend or loved one from taking their life is to recognize when someone is at risk, take the warning signs seriously and know how to respond. Take It Seriously • Seventy-five percent of all suicides give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member. • All suicide threats and attempts must be taken seriously. Be Willing to Listen • Take the initiative to ask what is troubling them and persist to overcome any reluctance to talk about it. • If professional help is indicated, the person you care about is more apt to follow such a recommendation if you have listened to him or her. • If your friend or loved one is depressed, don't be afraid to ask whether he or she is considering suicide, or even if they have a particular plan or method in mind.

11. Do not attempt to argue anyone out of suicide. • Rather, let the person know you care and understand, that he or she is not alone, that suicidal feelings are temporary, that depression can be treated and that problems can be solved. • Avoid the temptation to say, "You have so much to live for," or "Your suicide will hurt your family." Seek Professional Help • Be actively involved in encouraging the person to see a physician or mental health professional immediately. Individuals contemplating suicide often don't believe they can be helped, so you may have to do more. • For example, a suicidal college student resisted seeing a psychiatrist until his roommate offered to accompany him on the visit. A 17-year-old accompanied her younger sister to a psychiatrist because her parents refused to become involved. • You can make a difference by helping the person in need of help find a knowledgeable mental health professional or reputable treatment facility.

12. Suicide • Factors that buffer suicide risk • Ability to solve problems • High levels of self-esteem • Confidence in one’s problem-solving ability • General feelings of social support and support from family • Secure attachment • Suicide beliefs (not regarding suicide as a personal option) • Factors that comprise high resilience include the ability to make positive assessments of one’s life circumstances and to feel in control over these circumstances. • Low resilience occurs with high levels of perfectionism and hopelessness

13. In an Acute Crisis • In an acute crisis, take your friend or loved one to an emergency room or walk-in clinic at a (psychiatric) hospital. • Do not leave them alone until help is available. • Remove from the vicinity any firearms, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt. • Hospitalization may be indicated and may be necessary at least until the crisis abates. • If the above options are unavailable, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:http://www.afsp.org/

14. Protective factors against suicide Factors that buffer suicide risk • Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, nonviolent ways of handling disputes • Self-esteem and a sense of purpose or meaning in life • Connectedness: feelings of social support and support from family and/or friends • Access to mental health resources and support for seeking help • Personal, cultural and/or religious beliefs that discourage suicide • Life skills, including coping skills and ability to adapt to change