Suicide (SOS)Suicide (SOS)

StatisticsStatistics Almost 32,000 people commit suicide annually in Almost 32,000 people commit suicide annually in

the U.S.the U.S. Suicide ranks 11Suicide ranks 11thth as cause of death in U.S. as cause of death in U.S. Combined suicide rate 10.7 per 100,000 people.Combined suicide rate 10.7 per 100,000 people. Suicide claims the life of one person every 18 Suicide claims the life of one person every 18

minutes.minutes. Men complete suicide 4.1 times more often than Men complete suicide 4.1 times more often than

women, but women attempt suicide three times women, but women attempt suicide three times more often then men.more often then men.

There is an estimated 730,000 suicide attempts There is an estimated 730,000 suicide attempts each year in the U.S.each year in the U.S.

Why would someone do it?Why would someone do it?

Unrealistic, romantic view of deathUnrealistic, romantic view of death Feel like a failureFeel like a failure Inability to express feelingsInability to express feelings Lacking firm values or rules in which they base life Lacking firm values or rules in which they base life

choiceschoices Suffering a loss or deep grief that never seems to Suffering a loss or deep grief that never seems to

end.end. Losing someone close to you to suicide (making it Losing someone close to you to suicide (making it

seem reasonable)seem reasonable) Trying to impress others?Trying to impress others? Remember, these feelings won’t last forever.Remember, these feelings won’t last forever.

ACTACT

Acknowledge Acknowledge – that your friend has a – that your friend has a problem and that the symptoms are serious.problem and that the symptoms are serious.

CareCare – let them know that you care about – let them know that you care about them and that you want to help them.them and that you want to help them.

TellTell – a trusted adult about your concerns. – a trusted adult about your concerns. Just telling the right person can make all the Just telling the right person can make all the difference.difference.

Alcohol and DrugsAlcohol and Drugs

Compounds the problemCompounds the problem People are not thinking People are not thinking

clearly on substances.clearly on substances. Often the source of Often the source of

depression.depression.

Family IssuesFamily Issues

Divorce – very prevalentDivorce – very prevalent Trouble with the lawTrouble with the law Abuse of any kindAbuse of any kind DeathsDeaths

Facts/MythsFacts/Myths

What have you heard?What have you heard? How about these?How about these?

– They just want attentionThey just want attention– Girls are not as serious as boysGirls are not as serious as boys– They are mentally ill or weakThey are mentally ill or weak– Don’t mention suicide to themDon’t mention suicide to them– They want to dieThey want to die

Signs to Watch ForSigns to Watch For

Figure 5 - 3Figure 5 - 3

How You Can HelpHow You Can Help Get involvedGet involved

– If you can’t get involved, tell someone else If you can’t get involved, tell someone else who can help.who can help.

Don’t wait to see what happens.Don’t wait to see what happens. Ask the person outrightAsk the person outright Don’t make light of their feelingsDon’t make light of their feelings

– Realize that they could very well mean it.Realize that they could very well mean it. Try to offer reassuranceTry to offer reassurance Call a suicide hotline or crisis Call a suicide hotline or crisis

intervention/Dial 911 or policeintervention/Dial 911 or police Stay with the person until help arrives.Stay with the person until help arrives.

Emotional Healing - Therapy TypesEmotional Healing - Therapy Types

CounselorCounselor PsychiatristPsychiatrist PsychoanalystPsychoanalyst PsychologistPsychologist Social WorkerSocial Worker

Codependent/EnablingCodependent/Enabling

Don’t be a codependent helperDon’t be a codependent helper You enable people to continue You enable people to continue

inappropriate behavior.inappropriate behavior. Enablers have great intentions, Enablers have great intentions,

but they aren’t helping.but they aren’t helping. Enablers sometimes help Enablers sometimes help

others to avoid their own others to avoid their own problems.problems.

What to Ask YourselfWhat to Ask Yourself

If a person is clearly If a person is clearly irrational and in danger irrational and in danger you may have to step in.you may have to step in.

Ask yourself:Ask yourself:– Do I think that the person’s Do I think that the person’s

life or health is in serious life or health is in serious danger?danger?

– Is the person threatening Is the person threatening someone else’s life or someone else’s life or health?health?

– If I fail to help, will the If I fail to help, will the situation become situation become dangerous?dangerous?

Professional Help AgenciesProfessional Help Agencies

The person who needs help should be the The person who needs help should be the one to call.one to call.

Continue helping until you are satisfied that Continue helping until you are satisfied that you have done what you can.you have done what you can.

1-800-273-TALK (8255)1-800-273-TALK (8255) 1-800-Suicide1-800-Suicide

Protect YourselfProtect Yourself

Know your own Know your own limits.limits.

You can only do You can only do so much.so much.

A depressed A depressed individual can be individual can be an “emotional an “emotional sink”sink”