This document discusses suicide prevention. It notes that professional intervention and social support can help prevent suicide. Certain risk factors, like mental illness, substance abuse, stressful life events, and previous attempts, increase suicidal thoughts. Feelings of alienation from others can also contribute to suicide risk. The document outlines several warning signs of suicide and recommends taking all suicidal statements, plans, or ideations seriously and informing an adult. It suggests helping at-risk individuals by showing concern, asking questions, and encouraging them to seek help.

1. Suicide Prevention (1:36)
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2. Professional intervention and support
from friends and family can often help
prevent suicide.

3. alienation
suicide
cluster suicides

4. Knowing the Facts About Suicide
Certain risk factors increase thoughts of
suicide and suicide attempts.
Talking about suicide and where to go for help
may prevent someone from attempting suicide.

5. Knowing the Facts About Suicide
For some people, stress can cause alienation.
Alienation
Feeling isolated and separated from
everyone else

6. Knowing the Facts About Suicide
People who feel alienated may be unable to cope
with difficult life experiences.
They may seek to escape from the pain and
consider ending their lives.

7. Knowing the Facts About Suicide
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for
teens ages 15 to 19.
Suicide
The act of intentionally taking one’s
own life

8. Suicide Risk Factors
Suicide Risk Factors
Depression or another mental disorder
A history of abusing alcohol or other drugs
A stressful situation or loss
Previous suicide attempts
Family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, or suicide
Access to guns

9. Suicide Risk Factors
Exposure to other teens who have died by suicide
is a risk factor that can lead to cluster suicides.
Cluster suicides
A series of suicides occurring within a short
period of time and involving several people in
the same school or community

10. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
Recognizing the signs of suicide may help
prevent it.
When someone talks about committing suicide
—whether it’s done in a serious, casual, or even
humorous way—take it seriously.

11. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
Any discussion or suggestion about suicide
requires immediate attention.
Never agree to keep a secret if a friend says he or
she is considering suicide.
Tell an adult immediately.

12. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
The warning signs of suicide should be taken
seriously.
The more signs exhibited, the more likely it is that
the person is thinking about suicide.

13. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
Warning Signs of Suicide
Direct statements such as “I wish I were dead.”
Indirect statements such as “I can’t take it anymore.”
Writing poems, song lyrics, or diary entries that deal with death
Direct or indirect suicide threats
An unusual obsession with death

14. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
Warning Signs of Suicide
Withdrawal from friends
Dramatic changes in personality, hygiene, or appearance
Impulsive, irrational, or unusual behavior
A sense of guilt, shame, or rejection; negative self-evaluation
Deterioration in schoolwork or recreational performance
Giving away personal belongings

15. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
Warning Signs of Suicide
Substance abuse
Complaints about physical symptoms, such as stomachaches,
headaches, and fatigue
Persistent boredom and indifference
Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
Intolerance for praise or rewards

16. How You Can Help
People who are considering suicide often believe
that their death will not matter to anyone.
Showing empathy when talking with that person
will let him or her know you are concerned.

17. How You Can Help
If someone you know may be considering suicide,
try the following
Initiate a
meaningful
conversation.
Show support
and ask
questions.
Try to persuade
the person to
seek help.

18. How You Can Help
Call a crisis center or a suicide hotline if you feel
you might be in danger of hurting yourself.
You can also speak to a crisis worker about
someone you are concerned about.

19. How You Can Help
Suicide survivor support groups are
available in most communities.

20. After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
1. Define the term alienation.
Feeling isolated and separated from
everyone else

21. After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
2. What two risk factors have the strongest
association with suicide?
Suffering from a mental disorder; having a
history of abusing alcohol or other drugs

22. After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
3. Name five warning signs of suicide.
Any of the five warning signs listed in
Figure 5.7 on page 124