intervening on suicide: skills, education, and resources for helping a young person in need...
TRANSCRIPT
Intervening on Suicide: Skills, education, and resources for helping a young person in need
Presented by Christian D Haase, MA, NCC
Before we begin…
The skills we learn here today are in effort to support youth who are in need
These skills are not intended to replace professional help or to teach you how to treat someone who is depressed and or suicidal
Always consult with a medical or mental health professional if you encounter someone who is suicidal
Professionals That Can Help
Medical doctors, pediatricians, and neurologists
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
School or community based social workers, counselors, and therapists
Nurse practitioners
Peer support providers or specialists
Identifying Supports
Hotlines
Crisis services
Supporting websites
Community mental health clinics
Their primary doctor
Familiarize yourself with your surrounding supports
*Slides at the conclusion of the presentation provide specific supports
Prevalence
Nearly 1 in 6 youth between the ages of 12-17 have seriously considered suicide; and 1 in 12 have attempted it.
Youth suicides outnumber youth homicides.
Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. About 4 in 5 completed suicides are males. Girls, however, are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys.
Up to 80 percent of Arlington teens who are depressed do not receive the needed treatment.
Causes for Teen Depression and Suicide
Why do young people become depressed and or suicidal?School performance and or grades
Social status with peers
Sexual orientation
Family life
Bullying
Trauma (Ex: abuse, death in family, witness to violence, ect)
Relationship or break-up issues
Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Apathy
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Excessive or inappropriate guilt
Irresponsible behavior -- for example, forgetting obligations, being late for classes, skipping school
Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain
Preoccupation with death and dying
Rebellious behavior
Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness
Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
Sudden drop in grades
Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity
Withdrawal from friends
Signs & Symptoms of Suicide
Making suicidal statements.
Being preoccupied with death in conversation, writing, or drawing.
Giving away belongings.
Withdrawing from friends and family.
Having aggressive or hostile behavior.
Neglecting personal appearance.
Running away from home.
Risk-taking behavior, such as reckless driving or being sexually promiscuous.
A change in personality (such as from upbeat to quiet).
How to help
If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help:
Step 1: Support
Support
How to offer support:
1. Make a connection
2. Be kind, calm, and compassionate
3. Find out what’s going on
4. Listen reflectively
5. Let them know that you’re there for them
6. Hold back from asking a lot of questions or figuring out a solution
Pair up! Time to practice – CASE EXAMPLES
How to help
If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help:
Step 1: Support
Step 2: Ask about suicide
Ask About Suicide
How to ask about suicide:Make sure you have established a connection before moving forward
Summarize what you have heard
Ask directly about suicide
Don’t give up if the youth shuts you out
Talking about depression and suicide can be very tough for teens
Common fear: Talking about suicide will give youth “ideas”
Be respectful of your of the youths comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen
Pair up! Time to practice – Continue w/ CASE EXAMPLES
How to help
If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help:
Step 1: Support
Step 2: Ask about suicide
Step 3: Validate feelings
Validate Feelings
How to validate:
Don’t try to talk your teen out of his or her feelings, even if his or her feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you.
Acknowledge the pain and sadness he or she is feeling.
Don’t attempt to “fix” the situation.
Provide validation for the courage it took to talk.
Pair up! Time to practice – Continue w/ CASE EXAMPLES
How to help
If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help:
Step 1: Support
Step 2: Ask about suicide
Step 3: Validate feelings
Step 4: Connect
Connecting
How to connect:
Inform the youth that together you will come up with a plan to seek help The plan should include:
Telling parents or caregivers about their thoughts of suicide
Identifying at least one professional resource to reach out to
To call 911 or crisis services if the feelings of suicide intensify (don’t forget to give them that information)
Connecting Continued
As the helper remember to:Follow up with a professional
Follow up with the youth within 24 to 48 hours if possible
Take care of yourself!
IMPORTANT! If the youth does NOT demonstrate commitment to safety, contact crisis or emergency services immediately.
Pair up! Time to practice – Continue w/ CASE EXAMPLES
Resources
Arlington’s 24/7 Emergency Mental Health Services: (703) 228-5160
Crisis Link 24/7 Suicide Hotline: 1 (800) 273-8255 or (703) 527-4077
Children's Regional Crisis Response (mobile crisis services) (844) 627-4747
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Youth Suicide Prevention Program http://www.yspp.org/
