Intervening on Suicide: Skills , education, and resources for helping a young person in need

1. Intervening on Suicide: Skills, education, and resources for helping a young person in need Presented by Christian D Haase, MA, NCC

2. Before we begin… • The skills we learn here today are in effort to support youth who are in need • These skills are not intended to replace professional help or to teach you how to treat someone who is depressed and or suicidal • Always consult with a medical or mental health professional if you encounter someone who is suicidal

3. Professionals That Can Help • Medical doctors, pediatricians, and neurologists • Psychiatrists • Psychologists • School or community based social workers, counselors, and therapists • Nurse practitioners • Peer support providers or specialists

4. Identifying Supports • Hotlines • Crisis services • Supporting websites • Community mental health clinics • Their primary doctor • Familiarize yourself with your surrounding supports *Slides at the conclusion of the presentation provide specific supports

5. Prevalence • Nearly 1 in 6 youth between the ages of 12-17 have seriously considered suicide; and 1 in 12 haveattempted it. • Youth suicides outnumber youth homicides. • Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. About 4 in 5 completed suicides are males. Girls, however, are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys. • Up to 80 percent of Arlington teens who are depressed do not receive the needed treatment.

6. Causes for TeenDepression and Suicide • Why do young people become depressed and or suicidal? • School performance and or grades • Social status with peers • Sexual orientation • Family life • Bullying • Trauma (Ex: abuse, death in family, witness to violence, ect) • Relationship or break-up issues

7. Signs & Symptoms of Depression • Apathy • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions • Excessive or inappropriate guilt • Irresponsible behavior -- for example, forgetting obligations, being late for classes, skipping school • Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain • Preoccupation with death and dying • Rebellious behavior • Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of hopelessness • Staying awake at night and sleeping during the day • Sudden drop in grades • Use of alcohol or drugs and promiscuous sexual activity • Withdrawal from friends

8. Signs & Symptoms of Suicide • Making suicidal statements. • Being preoccupied with death in conversation, writing, or drawing. • Giving away belongings. • Withdrawing from friends and family. • Having aggressive or hostile behavior. • Neglecting personal appearance. • Running away from home. • Risk-taking behavior, such as reckless driving or being sexually promiscuous. • A change in personality (such as from upbeat to quiet).

9. How to help • If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help: • Step 1: Support

10. Support • How to offer support: • Make a connection • Be kind, calm, and compassionate • Find out what’s going on • Listen reflectively • Let them know that you’re there for them • Hold back from asking a lot of questions or figuring out a solution • Pair up! Time to practice – CASE EXAMPLES

11. How to help • If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help: • Step 1: Support • Step 2: Ask about suicide

12. Ask About Suicide • How to ask about suicide: • Make sure you have established a connection before moving forward • Summarize what you have heard • Ask directly about suicide • Don’t give up if the youth shuts you out • Talking about depression and suicide can be very tough for teens • Common fear: Talking about suicide will give youth “ideas” • Be respectful of your of the youths comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen • Pair up! Time to practice – Continue w/ CASE EXAMPLES

13. How to help • If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help: • Step 1: Support • Step 2: Ask about suicide • Step 3: Validate feelings

14. Validate Feelings • How to validate: • Don’t try to talk your teen out of his or her feelings, even if his or her feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you. • Acknowledge the pain and sadness he or she is feeling. • Don’t attempt to “fix” the situation. • Provide validation for the courage it took to talk. • Pair up! Time to practice – Continue w/ CASE EXAMPLES

15. How to help • If you notice that a young person is exhibiting the signs and symptoms of depression and or suicide then here is what you can do to help: • Step 1: Support • Step 2: Ask about suicide • Step 3: Validate feelings • Step 4: Connect

16. Connecting • How to connect: • Inform the youth that together you will come up with a plan to seek help • The plan should include: • Telling parents or caregivers about their thoughts of suicide • Identifying at least one professional resource to reach out to • To call 911 or crisis services if the feelings of suicide intensify (don’t forget to give them that information)

17. Connecting Continued • As the helper remember to: • Follow up with a professional • Follow up with the youth within 24 to 48 hours if possible • Take care of yourself! • IMPORTANT! If the youth does NOT demonstrate commitment to safety, contact crisis or emergency services immediately. • Pair up! Time to practice – Continue w/ CASE EXAMPLES

18. Resources • Arlington’s 24/7 Emergency Mental Health Services: • (703) 228-5160 • Crisis Link 24/7 Suicide Hotline: • 1 (800) 273-8255 or (703) 527-4077 • Children's Regional Crisis Response (mobile crisis services) • (844) 627-4747 • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline • http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ • Youth Suicide Prevention Program • http://www.yspp.org/

19. Thanks! • Contact me with questions or comments @: • chaase@arlingtonva.us - Prevention Specialist