Suicide Prevention Training for All School Staff

1. Suicide Prevention Training for All School Staff Gatekeeper Training Brenda Jennings Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Revised April 2012

2. Goals for this Workshop Participants will: • Know reasons for school staff to prevent suicide • Know the warning signs • Know how to help students who show warning signs

3. “Survivors” Suggest • Use: • “Completed suicide” • “Died by suicide” • “Took his/her own life” • “Died of suicide” • Avoid: • “Successful suicide attempt” • “Committed suicide” it is not illegal

4. Reasons for School Staff To Prevent Suicide • 1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Wisconsin youth • One suicide is too many, a life lost forever DHS WISH, Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12) 2011 WI YRBS

5. Reasons for School Staff To Prevent Suicide • Suicide affects the entire school-community, interrupts learning • Suicide is a long term solution to a short term problem • Most suicides can be prevented

6. Leading Causes of Death for Wisconsin Youth Suicideis the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 5-19. DHS WISH 2010 Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)

7. Wisconsin Youth Suicides 2000-2010 Suicideis the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 5-19. DHS WISH, Injury Mortality Module (Accessed 03/12)

8. Suicide Rate per 100,000 Youth (age 0-19) Wisconsin US 6.00 6.00 5.50 5.50 5.00 5.00 4.50 4.50 4.00 4.00 3.50 3.50 3.00 3.00 2.50 2.50 2.00 2.00 1.50 1.50 1.00 1.00 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.00

9. Let’s look at those youth suicides • 418 Males, 97 Females (greater than a 4:1 ratio) • Firearms consists of about half of the deaths (238) • Suffocation (hanging) resulted in 213 deaths • Other methods include poisoning, falls, drowning, vehicles • DHS WISH Injury Mortality 2000-2010 (age 5-19)(accessed 03/12)

10. Bullying “Students who report being bullied, as well as those who admit to bullying others, have been found to have significantly higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors than students who do not report experiences with bullying.” AFSP 2009, SPRC 2012

11. Know the Warning Signs • Withdraws from friends, family, others • Talks about hurting self • Feels lasting sadness, feels depression • Has a hard time concentrating • Feels anxious • School work gets worse • Increased alcohol or drug use One suicide is too many • Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute • Updated 2012

12. Know the Warning Signs • Change in eating habits – more or less • Change in sleep patterns – more or less • Loss of interest in favorite activities • Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, body aches (stomachaches, headaches, fatigue) MOST SuicideS can be prevented • Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute • Roberts, et. al, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2001; 30: 1-18. • Updated SPRC 2012

13. Know the Warning Signs • Uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge • Acting reckless • Feeling trapped, like there is no way out • Feeling hopeless • No sense of purpose in life Suicide affects the entire school-community • Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute • Goldstein, et. al, J Consulting Clinical Psychiatry, 2008 Feb; 76(1): 84-91 • Updated SPRC 2012

14. Know the Warning Signs • Being intolerant of praise or rewards • Suddenly cheerful after a period of depression • Giving away favorite possessions • Making a last will & testament 1 in 5 high school students report signs of depression • Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute • Updated 2012

15. Urgent Warning Signs Help is needed now! • Talks about hurting self • Looks for ways to kill self • Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide • SAMHSA 1/11

16. When you see urgent warning signs: • Don’t shame: “You’re too sensitive. Grow up!” • Don’t delay: Get help right away, don’t wait. • Don’t blame: “If you wanted a better grade, you would have worked harder.”

17. When you see urgent warning signs: • Don’t give up: Suicide is NOT a destiny • Don’t do it alone: Consult with principal or student services • Don’t leave the student alone

18. Talk to them using ACT • A is for “Acknowledge” signs and symptoms, don’t minimize their feelings • C is for showing “Care and Concern” for the person who is at-risk • T is for “Tell” a trusted adult who knows how to respond, including pupil services, heath educators, or administrators in your school • A l C l T • Acknowledge • Care, Concern • Tell

19. Acknowledge: Say you understand they feel bad • “That sounds really tough, I’m sorry to hear it.” • “You have some major challenges on your plate.” • Don’t minimize their feelings by saying: • “You’ll get over it.” • “Time heals all wounds.” • “Stop worrying about it.” • A l C l T • Acknowledge • Care, Concern • Tell

20. Care and Concern: Say you care • “I would hate for any harm to come to you.” • “I don’t want this to get any worse. I’d really like to see you get some help.” • “You’re an important part of my class and I want to be sure you stay safe.” • A l C l T • Acknowledge • Care, Concern • Tell

21. Tell someone Bring student to someone trained to help • “I know Ms. Jennings in the Student Services office, and she works with many students who are facing challenges like this. Let’s go see her together.” • A l C l T • Acknowledge • Care, Concern • Tell

22. Tell Know the people at your school who are trained • Know your School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse, and other members of your Crisis Response Team. Take the student to see one of them right away, even if you’re not sure if it’s a crisis. • If you can’t take them, notify someone on the crisis team immediately. • A l C l T • Acknowledge • Care, Concern • Tell

23. Can I get in trouble if I do this wrong? No. State law protects you if you are trying to help prevent suicide. • You are safe in trying to help students. • For private and public schools.

24. Means Restriction is THE BEST! • Firearms play a major role in suicide • We promote safe storage • 4 strategies to protect: • trigger locks/cabinets • store unloaded • lock ammo • separate location • Grossman, JAMA 2/9/05

25. Remember, you can help • Look for warning signs • ACT • Acknowledge – say you understand they feel bad • Care – say you care • Tell – bring them to someone trained to help

26. Resources • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available at (800) 273-TALK or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org • Prevent Suicide Wisconsin www.preventsuicidewi.org • Department of Public Instruction www.dpi.wi.gov/sspw/suicideprev.html

27. DPI Contacts Nic Dibble School Social Work Consultant (608) 266-0963 nic.dibble@dpi.wi.gov Jon Hisgen Health Education Consultant (608) 267-9234 jon.hisgen@dpi.wi.gov

28. DPI Contacts Brenda Jennings Education Consultant, Suicide Prevention (608) 266-7051 brenda.jennings@dpi.wi.gov Kathryn Bush School Psychology Consultant (608) 266-1999 kathryn.bush@dpi.wi.gov