2. Why do I need to know?
• Youth suicide is the 2nd (or 3rd depending on
the research) leading case of death among 15-
19 year olds.
• There is one suicide every 90 minutes in the
United States.
• About 4,000-5,000 young people commit
suicide each year in the United States.
• For every child that commits suicide another
100 attempt suicide.
3. 2007 Maryland Youth Risk
Behavior Survey
Approximately 7.5% Maryland
high school students attempted suicide
in the previous 12 months.
4. Hospital Discharge Data
Maryland Health Services
Cost Review Commission
Youth who were hospitalized and survived:
Youngest – age 5
Majority – white
Over 70% - female
5. It is estimated that 4 of 5
suicide
victims demonstrated
identifiable
warning signs before
completing
suicide.
We need to be knowledgeable
about warning signs and
potential triggers.
6. What do I need to know?
• Warning Signs
– Threats
– Drawing or writings related to the student’s
own death
– High risk behaviors
– Dramatic changes in behavior
– Previous suicide attempts
– Giving away prized possessions
7. Behaviors
• Changes in behaviors
– Changes in friends
– Changes in attitude
– Change in motivation
– Depression
– Depression that changes to happiness
suddenly
– Anger
8. Issues that may affect suicide
• Bullying
• Multiple losses
• Feeling that they might have “let someone
down”
• Rejection (perceived or real)
• Suicide of close friend or relative
• Public embarrassment
9. What do I look for?
• A pattern of hopelessness
• A change in attitude
• Disproportionate anger
• Warning signs
10. What should I do?
• Take threats seriously.
• Act when you suspect that something may be
wrong.
• Contact the school counselor, school
psychologist, school administrator or school
nurse.
• Consult when you aren’t sure
11. What will happen?
• The mental health professionals will talk with
the student.
• The mental health professional will contact the
family with the concerns
• Suicide threats, even third party reports MUST,
by law, be reported to parents.
12. Important phone numbers
• Maryland Youth Crisis Hot Line
– 1-800-422-0009
• National Suicide Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Editor's Notes
Each year we make this presentation about youth suicide prevention.
I’m not going to go over all of it again. I’ll just give the statistics and highlight the important things that you probably remember.
If you would like to talk to me after this presentation for any reason, please just let me know.
Three out of four suicides are in males from middle class families, who are achievement oriented with average or better grades.
90% of the attempters are females.
Just because they attempt suicide does not mean that they succeed.
Of the students who attempt suicide many are left with permanent disabilities-kidney damage, dismemberment or other long-term health issues.
<number>
The national average is 6.9 %.
Since kids usually think about suicide long before they attempt it we have to consider that the thought could start in elementary or middle school
There have been more occurrences lately in the country
<number>
Youth who were hospitalized for suicide attempts and survived:
Youngest attempted – age 5
youngest completed - age 12
Majority – white. But rates of suicide are increasing in all populations.
Over 70% of those hospitalized were female
majority of completed were male.
<number>
Kids usually give warning signs before they attempt to hurt themselves.
We need to know what to look for.
Also, other students might hear something before we do so listen and follow up if a student tells you about another student.
Some warning signs can be symptoms of other problems but when you aren’t sure let the counselor or nurse know.
Threats can be verbal, written or gestures
“No one would miss me.”
“I wish I were dead”
“I won’t be around for anyone to pick on .”
what they share in their journals and essays.
cut wrists, overdose of medicine
Giving away of prized possessions
High risk behaviors such as running between moving traffic (usually youngest children)
Look for changes in behavior
Are they hanging with a completely different group of kids?
Are they loners now but they used to be more friendly?
Do they seem angrier or edgier?
Do they seem to have lost interest in school or in other kids? Have they lost their enthusiasm?
Do they seem unhappy, sad, alone or depressed?
Pay attention if they were acting differently but suddenly improve
Many suicides occur within 3 months following the beginning of “improvement”, when the individual has the energy to put his or her morbid thoughts and fantasies into action.
In many students depression looks a lot like anger.
Bullying
Many of our students have suffered multiple losses.
a parent or a family member, their home, a friendship that meant a lot to them, their reputation.
Rejection is embarrassing.
letting their grades slip, bad behavior reports
family history of depression
Public embarrassment
hopelessness or helplessness. (We listen to see if the student has given up.)
Sometimes anger that does not match the antecedent event is a warning sign.
Pay attention to kids that hurt themselves when they are angry (scratching or biting – leaving marks)
Pay attention to kids that have mentioned attempts at hurting themselves or have any kind of plan already
It’s ok to ask questions (if you feel comfortable)
Pay attention to kids that hurt themselves when they are angry (scratching or biting – leaving marks)
Have you ever done this before?
Pay attention to kids that have mentioned attempts at hurting themselves or have any kind of plan already
Have you thought of hurting yourself before?
What would you do?
Have you ever tried it?
Tell someone when you feel worried about a student. Don’t worry that it may not be suicidal behavior. Whatever it is it may be important.
We’ll talk to the student
Let them know that we will contact their parent/guardian
Follow up with parent / guardian
