SUICIDE

SUICIDE SUICIDE

A permanent solution A permanent solution to a temporary to a temporary

problem.problem.

SUICIDE is the SUICIDE is the MOST MOST PREVENTABLEPREVENTABLE form of form of death in teens ages 15-24.death in teens ages 15-24.

What do you think are What do you think are the the leading causes of death for teenagers?

The leading causes of death for teenagers ?

1999-2006:

1st - Accidents (unintentional injuries) (48% of deaths) 2nd- Homicide (13%)3rd- Suicide (11%)4th- Cancer (6%)5th- Heart disease (3%)

SUICIDE STATISTICSSUICIDE STATISTICS

*3rd leading cause of death for young *3rd leading cause of death for young people (ages of 12-19)people (ages of 12-19)

*There is a suicide *There is a suicide attemptattempt by a teen by a teen every 2 1/2 minutes.every 2 1/2 minutes.

*There is a suicide *There is a suicide completioncompletion every 90 every 90 minutes.minutes.

*The suicide rate among teens has risen *The suicide rate among teens has risen 300% in the last 30 yrs.300% in the last 30 yrs.

8,000 teens will take their own life 8,000 teens will take their own life this year alonethis year alone

Young women attempt suicide 4x Young women attempt suicide 4x more than menmore than men

Females more likely to ingest pillsFemales more likely to ingest pills Males more likely to use Males more likely to use

handgunshandguns

Gay & lesbians are 4x’s more Gay & lesbians are 4x’s more likely to ATTEMPT suicide.likely to ATTEMPT suicide.

80% of suicides involve alcohol 80% of suicides involve alcohol or other drugsor other drugs

**Untreated depression is the #1 **Untreated depression is the #1 cause of suicidecause of suicide

Warning Signs of SuicideWarning Signs of Suicide

All signs of depressionAll signs of depression Preoccupation w/ themes of Preoccupation w/ themes of

death (writings,music,drawings)death (writings,music,drawings) Giving/throwing away favorite Giving/throwing away favorite

possessionspossessions Previous suicide attempt or Previous suicide attempt or

threatthreat Making a will/final arrangementsMaking a will/final arrangements Talking about death/suicideTalking about death/suicide

Warning Signs of Suicide (cont.)Warning Signs of Suicide (cont.) Rebellious behavior ex. Running awayRebellious behavior ex. Running away

Recent loss Recent loss

Suddenly cheerful after extended Suddenly cheerful after extended period of depressionperiod of depression

Drug and/or alcohol abuseDrug and/or alcohol abuse

Direct Verbal CluesDirect Verbal Clues

““I’ve decided to kill myself”I’ve decided to kill myself” ““I wish I were dead”I wish I were dead” ““I’m going to commit suicide”I’m going to commit suicide” ““If (such & such) doesn’t If (such & such) doesn’t

happen, I’ll kill myself”happen, I’ll kill myself” ““I’m going to end it all”I’m going to end it all”

INDIRECT VERBAL CLUESINDIRECT VERBAL CLUES ““I’m tired of life, I just can’t go I’m tired of life, I just can’t go

on”on” My family would better off w/out My family would better off w/out

meme ““I just want out”I just want out” ““Pretty soon you won’t have to Pretty soon you won’t have to

worry about me”worry about me” ““Who cares if I am dead anyway”Who cares if I am dead anyway” ““I won’t be around much longer”I won’t be around much longer”

What to do?What to do? ASK FOR HELP!!!ASK FOR HELP!!!

Always take it seriouslyAlways take it seriously

*50-75% of all suicides show *50-75% of all suicides show warning signswarning signs

ALWAYS report itALWAYS report it

LISTEN- DON’T BE JUDGEMENTALLISTEN- DON’T BE JUDGEMENTAL CALL 1-800-273-TALKCALL 1-800-273-TALK (National suicide hotline)(National suicide hotline)

Recognize warning signsRecognize warning signs Help them to find 1 reason for Help them to find 1 reason for

livingliving Stay calm & stay with person Stay calm & stay with person

until help arrivesuntil help arrives Tell person you care/They are Tell person you care/They are

not alonenot alone Never keep it a secretNever keep it a secret

WHO CAN YOU TALK TO???WHO CAN YOU TALK TO???

1. Mrs. Alderfer halderfer1. Mrs. Alderfer [email protected]

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