Teacher Training

Youth Suicide:Prevention Works!

Presented by:Sue Eastgard, MSWDirector, Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State

www.yspp.org

Youth Suicide: The Facts

• An average of 2 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 kill themselves each week in Washington State

• In a recent state survey, more than one in every 10 high school students reported having attempted suicide; nearly one in four (20% - 25%) had seriously considered it

• Over 30% of GLBQ youth report at least one suicide attempt within the past year

– Over 50% of Transgender youth will have had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday

• Youth suicide outnumber youth homicides

Number of suicides vs. numberof attemptsWashington State youth (2000-2004)

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500

1000

1500

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2500

10-14 15-19 20-24

Suicides

Attempts

The Point is

• We need to be concerned about youth who complete suicide as well as those who make suicide attempts

Males complete suicide more often than femalesWashington State youth (2000-2004)

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

10-14 15-19 20-24

Ave

rage

rat

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r 10

0,00

0

FemalesMales

The Point is

• Boys and young men are at higher risk of dying by suicide because:– They choose more lethal means– They are less likely to seek help – They are socialized to solve problems

Females are more likely to be hospitalized for suicidal behavior than males Washington State youth (2000-2004)

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1600

10-14 15-19 20-24

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mb

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FemaleMale

The Point is

• Girls and young women are much more likely to be hospitalized for suicidal behavior because:– They talk and tell others– They give us the opportunity to intervene

Males use more immediate & less reversible means than femalesWashington State youth ages 10-24 (2000-2004)

Males

Gun

Poisoning

Suffocation

Fall/JumpOther

Females

Suffocation

Poisoning

Gun

N= 402 N=97

The Point is

• The most common ways in which males and females end their lives are the same: guns and hanging

Rate of suicides by race/ethnicityWashington State youth 10-24 (2000-2004)

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5

10

15

20

White AfricanAmerican

NativeAmerican

Asian Hispanic

Rat

e of

sui

cide

s pe

r 10

0,00

0

Child & Adolescent Depression:The Facts

• One in every 33 children may have depression

• The rate of depression for adolescents may be as high as 1 in 8

• The majority of children and adolescents with depression do not get help they need

• Depression can lead to school failure, alcohol/drug use, and suicide

Child & Adolescent Depression:WA State Facts

• 39% of Washington State 6th graders reported feeling “depression or sad MOST days in the past year”

• Over 30% of Washington State 10th graders indicated that they sometimes think, “life is not worth it”

Child & Adolescent Depression:The Signs

• Irritability• Persistent feelings of sadness• A drop in school performance• Problems with authority• Indecision, lack of concentration• Poor self-esteem• Overreaction to criticism• Frequent physical complaints

LIFE’S SLOT MACHINE

ExistentialPsychologicalSociologicalBiological

Risk Factors

Additional Risk Factors for GLBT Youth:

• Gender nonconformity• Coming out:

– Early – Not coming out to anyone

• Homophobia• Internalized homophobia/Internal conflict• Heterosexism• Lack of access to gay/trans friendly

services

Youth Suicide: Warning Signs

• A previous suicide attempt

• Current talk of suicide or making a plan

• Strong wish to die, preoccupation with death, giving away prized possessions

• Signs of serious depression, such as moodiness, hopelessness, withdrawal

• Increased alcohol and/or drug use

Youth Suicide: Risk Factors

• Readily accessible firearms

• Impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks

• Lack of connection to family and friends (no one to talk to).

Focus on How Vs. Why

• When lethal coal burning wood stoves were replaced with cleaner burning natural gas, overall suicide rate in the UK went down by 1/3

• When barrier was erected on popular “suicide bridge” the incidence of suicide did not increase on another nearby bridge

• Storing guns in a lock box, putting ammunition in a different room or keeping a gun unloaded significantly reduces chances that gun will be used in a suicide

LIFE’S SLOT MACHINE

SchoolCommunityFamilyIndividual

Protective Factors

• Show you care

• Ask the question

• Call for help

Youth Suicide: Intervention

Youth Suicide: Resources

• School counselor

• Crisis telephone hotline (1-800-273-TALK)

(1-800-4U-Trevor-GLBT support)

• Physician/health care provider

• Mental health specialist

• Coaches & youth leaders

• Parents & clergy

• GLBT friendly services/people in community and schools

Suicide death rates on the declineWashington State youth 10-24 (1997-2004)

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1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Rat

es o

f Sui

cide

per

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,000

The Point is

• Suicide rates have gone down, but not far enough

Youth Suicide:Prevention Works!

Presented by:Sue Eastgard, MSWDirector, Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State

www.yspp.org