Preventing Youth Suicide: A Promise for Tomorrow

1. The Jason Foundation, Inc. “A Promise for Tomorrow” A Youth Curriculum Unit for the awareness and prevention of Youth Suicide www.jasonfoundation.com

2. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Lesson A

3. “A Promise for Tomorrow” In 1999, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, declared suicide as a “National Health Problem”… especially within the youth and elderly populations.

4. “A Promise for Tomorrow” • Suicide in the general population had been in the top ten leading causes of death for the past 30 years. • Due to several reasons, very little had been done to confront the problem. • Reasons include lack of knowledge about the subject and the stigma surrounding the topic of suicide. • These caused a lack of funding to develop prevention and awareness programs. • Dr. Satcher’s report specifically listed suicide as a major national concern for youth and the elderly.

5. “A Promise for Tomorrow” • After a two year nationwide fact finding and resource gathering campaign, the Surgeon General released the “National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.” This became known as the “Call to Action.” • We are now better equipped with the information and resources needed to help a friend who may be depressed, having trouble in relationships, or may be considering suicide. • Suicide has been labeled as the number one preventable cause of death in our nation today. It is preventable because, for those individuals who need it, there is help available that can make a positive difference in their lives.

6. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Purpose of this lesson: • Learn about the current statistics and some common myths that surround the topic of suicide. • Learn about some behaviors that are often shown by a young person who is depressed or thinking about suicide. • Learn some ways you can help a fiend who may be depressed or considering suicide. • Explore some resources that you could turn to if a friend needs help.

7. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Jason’s Story

8. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Jason's Story (A Father's Letter) Dear Friend,Jason was my youngest son. He was an average 16-year old. He got mostly B’s on his report card, and he loved sports. Especially football. He was active in his youth group and he had a lot of friends. Jason was the one who was always up for going places and trying new things. From all appearances...my son loved life.But on July 16th, 1997, everything changed. My son, Jason became a statistic of the silent epidemic of youth suicide. In trying to come to terms with what happened, I began researching youth suicide. The statistics are alarming. Did you know on average, over 100 young people this week will become victims of youth suicide? But-youth suicide can be prevented.That’s what The Jason Foundation is all about. I urge you to get involved. Together we can help stop this epidemic. Ask for our material. Read it. Then share it with your friends and others. Please help us reach out to hurting teens with another choice - another way to handle life’s problems, pressures and disappointments.I will never hug my son again. But I can and will work alongside you -- perhaps to save your friend, your neighbor’s child, a relative or even your own son or daughter.Thank you for your help. Clark FlattPresident / CEOThe Jason Foundation, Inc. http://www.jasonfoundation.com/index.php

9. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Let’s see what you already know about the problem of Youth Suicide.

10. Questions True or False

11. Question 1 Suicide is the THIRD leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 24.

12. Answer TRUE First leading cause is accidents of all kinds; homicides are second.

13. In theUnited States How many young people do we lose, each year, to suicide?

14. It is estimated that We will lose approximately 5,000 young people to suicide each year. For example, this would be enough people to fill our gym over three times. By the time our freshman class graduates, 20,000 young people will have lost their lives to suicide.

15. Each week, We lose approximately 100 young people to the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide. If there were a virus or bacteria sweeping the country causing these deaths, would we hear about it anywhere? The problem with the silent epidemic of suicide is that we are losing about 100 young people each week but no one is willing to talk about it.

16. Many experts believe that the total number of young people we lose each year is more than 5,000. Some experts feel the actual number of youth suicides could be 10% to 30% higher than reported because of misreporting. What could be a misreported suicide???

17. Many suicides are incorrectly reported as accidents; such as car accidents, drug overdose, etc. What do you think is needed to classify something as a suicide???

18. Evidence such as a note, a witness, etc. If no evidence is found, many times the deathwill be classified as an accident. Knowing this do you agree with the experts who believe there are more suicides than reported???

19. Question 2 People who talk about or threaten suicide rarely die by suicide.

20. Answer FALSE • This is a common myth believed by many people. It is totally untrue. • Many times people who are thinking about suicide make statements or threats about it: • “I’d be better off if I weren’t even here” • “I won’t be bothering you much longer” • People who talk about suicide are thinking about it and should be taken seriously. • If they are not suicidal, it is obvious that they are not happy. • Ask questions and find out what is so wrong in their lives. • They are desperately asking for help. We want to be able to provide that help.

21. Question 3 Approximately one young person dies by suicide every 2 hours.

22. Answer TRUE • Some parent loses a son or daughter to suicide approximately every two hours. • If you allow for misreported suicides, some experts believe that the rate is every 1 hour and 15 minutes or even more frequent • From the time you get up in the morning until school begins, one young person in the United States has died by suicide. During the time it takes you to enjoy a movie or a basketball game, another young person has died because of suicide.

23. Question 4 Talking to someone about suicidal feelings may cause them to attempt suicide.

24. Answer FALSE • This is another common myth believed by many people. It is totally untrue. • Talking about it can only help if done in a compassionate and knowledgeable manner. • The thoughts of suicide come from a feeling of hopelessness and the belief that no can help them!

25. Have you ever had a problem that worried you so much that you could not sleep? When you finally dealt with the problem by talking to your girlfriend or boyfriend, parent or teacher (whomever), did it relieve some of the pressure? It is the same with young people who are thinking about suicide. They do not want to die; they want the pain to go away. Helping your friend get that pain “out on the table”, and talk about it, will only relieve some of the pressure and together you can begin to look for much better ways to solve their problems.

26. Time takes care of most all of our individual problems. You must give yourself time because time will change our circumstances. Young people who take their own lives cut off their time. They do not wait to experience the changes that will surely come. Whatever seems so hard or bad today may be gone tomorrow. We must wait to se what better things are in the future. How do you think talking about feelings and what causes those feelings can help a person in trouble???

27. Identify the problem, discover solutions, realize you are not alone, etc.

28. Question 5 Suicide is Preventable.

29. Answer TRUE What makes suicide preventable???

30. We would want to stop someone from hurting our friend so we have the right to stop our friend from hurting himself/herself. We want to be able to recognize the need and know what to do.

31. Question 6 People who are contemplating suicide almost always tell someone beforehand.

32. Answer TRUE • In almost 70% of suicides, the person shared his/her thoughts or intentions with a friend, teacher, or other important person in his/her life before the attempt or completion. • They may say something like: • “I’d be better off dead!” • “You won’t have to worry about me much longer.” • Sometimes they will actually say “I am going to kill myself.”

33. In fact, In almost 70% of all suicides the person told someone their intentions at least ONE hour before. Why didn’t that person say anything about what they had been told?

34. Youth Suicide Statistics • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people, ages 10 to 24. • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college-age youth. • Youth suicides have tripled since the late 1960s. • Approximately 100 young people lose their lives to suicide in the U.S. every week. • There has been over a 100% increase in suicides for 10 to 14 year olds since 1980. • More teenagers and young adults are lost to suicide than die from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease, combined.

35. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Lesson B “Choices”

36. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Lesson C

37. Just a Bad Day or Something More… There are times when most of us feel sad or down. What are some words that describe how you feel on those really bad days???

38. Just a Bad Day or Something More… Lonely Bored Tired Misunderstood Frustrated etc.

39. Just a Bad Day or Something More… Is it normal to have a “bad” day? Do you think everyone feels sad or down at times? What are some words you use to describe how you feel on your bad days. Does anyone notice when you are having a bad day? If yes, who? How do you know they notice? How can you determine if it is more than “just a bad day”?

40. Just a Bad Day or Something More… • Things happen in our lives that cause us concern and sometimes unhappiness. • Failed relationships and failed dreams can be very difficult: • Not making a team • Not winning an election • Divorce in the family • Breaking up with girlfriends or boyfriends • Bad grades • Traumatic events • Feeling humiliated or ashamed • How are you going to know if your friend is just having a bad day, or if there is something more???

41. Signs of Concern Let’s look at some signs of concern (warning signs) that may indicate a person might be having thoughts of suicide. • Suicide Threats • Previous Suicide Attempts • Sudden Changes in Behavior • Depression • Final Arrangements

42. Suicide Threats • “I would be better off dead.” • “You won’t have me around to bother you much longer!” • “I wish I was dead.” • “I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up.” • “I am going to kill myself.” (This is very straight forward, but it happens.) • Can you think of any other comments you have heard that would lead you to be concerned about a friend???

43. PreviousSuicide Attempts • Four out of five completed suicides are not the first attempt. • Physical mutilation (cutting) is a sign of wanting to hurt one’s self physically to relieve an emotional pain…it can sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts or attempts. • Even if the attempt seems to be “only for attention”, take it as a serious cry for help and seek help immediately.

44. PreviousSuicide Attempts Why would someone make a suicide attempt???

45. PreviousSuicide Attempts To see if it hurts To see if they can go through with it Most common reason – to see if anyone notices that they are in pain. Will anyone help them???

46. Sudden Changesin Behavior • A loud person becomes quiet and reserved or a quiet person becomes loud and obvious. • A person withdraws from activities he or she used to enjoy. • A gentle person becomes aggressive and angers easily. • An outgoing person becomes withdrawn. • Declining grades or changes in class attendance. • For some people these are their normal behaviors and/or personality traits. It is when there is a sudden change that we need to be diligent and pay close attention.

47. Depression • Feeling sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or longer • Feelings of being alone or of no one caring • Sleeplessness or wanting to sleep an abnormal amount of time • Eating disorders - eating too much or not enough • Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed

48. Final Arrangements • Giving away “prized possessions” • Favorite piece of jewelry or clothing • Driver’s license • Collection – cards, music, etc. • “Making rounds” • Visiting friends to set things right and / or say good-bye. • Sharing of funeral plans • Primarily by girls to a best friend. • If you have seen two or more of the other four warning signs and then see this one, it could indicate that the situation is more critical.

49. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Lesson D “Choices”

50. “A Promise for Tomorrow” Lesson E