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Safe Schools: Preventing Youth Suicide

2. Moderator. Joan Lerman, MSSWSchool Administrative Consultant Prevention/School ViolenceStudent Services/Prevention and Wellness TeamDepartment of Public Instruction. 3. This month's webcast is brought you with partnerships between the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction,

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Safe Schools: Preventing Youth Suicide

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    2. 2 Moderator Joan Lerman, MSSW School Administrative Consultant Prevention/School Violence Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team Department of Public Instruction

    3. 3 This month’s webcast is brought you with partnerships between the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Office of Justice Assistance, Homeland Security Program, Wisconsin Emergency Management, Department of Health and Family Services and partnering organizations involved in the Center for School, Youth and Citizen Preparedness.

    4. 4 Audio Difficulties? Make sure the volume is turned up (volume button beneath the speaker’s picture) Make sure the volume on the computer is turned up (volume icon located on the right hand side of your computer taskbar) Contact your IT department If audio and visual is lost during the program, go back to: http://media2.wi.gov/dpi/catalog/, and click on the Student Services Prevention and Wellness Team link on the left, then when the SSPW Team page of archived programs appears, select the program link desired. If problem persists contact Ken Wagner (608) 266-5181.

    5. 5 Preventing Youth Suicide Information for Schools John Humphries School Psychologist WI DPI August 26, 2008

    6. 6 Goals for this workshop Present useful data Discuss risk factors Identify early and late warning signs Suggest an easy way to help suicidal students: ACT End youth suicide in Wisconsin!

    7. 7 Why “Gatekeeper” Training? Describes a serious problem among kids Empowers staff to help Ends fear of taking action Increases ability to identify, support, refer

    8. 8 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

    9. 9 Where does suicide rank among causes of death in WI youth? And, how many youth die by suicide every year? DHS WISH, 1999-2006, ages 10-19, www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/wish/Mortality Module, accessed 10/30 & 31 2007

    10. Is suicide very common?

    11. 11 Of all deaths among youth… In the U.S. Suicides are 12% Suicide is the third leading cause of death In Wisconsin Suicides >17% Suicide is the second leading cause of death

    12. 12 Wisconsin’s Rate Compared to USA For 10-19 year olds 13th highest rate in nation Rate is 42% higher than national average For 10-14 year olds 5th highest in US 20 states didn’t even have enough suicides in this age range to have reliable data CDC WISQARS

    13. 13 Risk Factors Risk factors raise risk something will occur The most important suicide risk factors: A prior suicide attempt Suicidal thoughts or plans Exposure to suicide of friends, family, community, or in the media

    14. 14 Other Risk Factors Serious depression, hopelessness Using drugs or drinking Teenage Crisis Risky behaviors School problems Trouble solving problems Associations of Body Mass Index and Perceived Weight With Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among US High School Students Danice K. Eaton, PhD; Richard Lowry, MD; Nancy D. Brener, PhD; Deborah A. Galuska, PhD; Alex E. Crosby, MD Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:513-519 Regardless of body mass index, extreme perceptions of weight appear to be significant risk factors for suicidal behavior; important racial/ethnic differences exist.Associations of Body Mass Index and Perceived Weight With Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among US High School Students Danice K. Eaton, PhD; Richard Lowry, MD; Nancy D. Brener, PhD; Deborah A. Galuska, PhD; Alex E. Crosby, MD Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:513-519 Regardless of body mass index, extreme perceptions of weight appear to be significant risk factors for suicidal behavior; important racial/ethnic differences exist.

    15. 15 Early Warning Signs Look for changes over time, including: Spending more time alone (girls—isolated) Major/frequent mood swings (boys—angry) Difficulty concentrating Decline in quality of school work Change in eating or sleeping habits Boredom Physical symptoms related to emotions 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

    16. 16 Late Warning Signs Talking about suicide Impulsive violent or rebellious actions Refusing help, won’t accept praise Being cheerful after a period of depression Giving away favorite possessions Making a last will & testament Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide, 2003, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute

    17. 17 ACT NOW! If you see any late warning signs, you should act immediately. Don’t try to diagnose the problem. Don’t worry about students getting attention. Myth: Asking them will give them ideas. Myth: They won’t tell the truth when asked. Myth: If they don’t do it now, will do it later.

    18. 18 What else do we need to know? Suicide doesn’t just happen out of the blue—90% had treatable mental illnesses or drug/alcohol problems. Usually an impulsive reaction to “crisis” Firearms used in more than half of youth suicides in WI—safe storage is critical

    19. 19 It might look something like this: You’ve noticed risk factors such as depression or exposure to suicide… and the student has become isolated… and they hinted about suicide or forever escaping their problems… it’s time to ACT! Right away! Don’t leave the student alone.

    20. 20 ACT for suicide prevention A is “Acknowledge” signs and symptoms C is for showing “Care and Concern” for the person who is at-risk T is “Tell” a trusted adult who knows how to respond Signs of Suicide is the source of ACT, a program of Screening for Mental Health

    21. 21 A is ACKNOWLEDGE “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.” You don’t even have to ask questions!

    22. 22 C is CARE AND CONCERN “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.”

    23. 23 T is TELL A TRUSTED ADULT “I know Mr. Humphries in the Student Services office, and he works with many students who are facing challenges like this. Let’s go see him together.” 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.

    24. 24 State Law Protects You! WI 118.295 Suicide intervention; civil liability exemption. “…any (school) officer, employee or volunteer, who in good faith attempts to prevent suicide by a pupil is immune from civil liability for his or her acts or omissions in respect to the suicide or attempted suicide.” You are safe in trying to help students. For private and public schools.

    25. 25 What can schools do? Staff and volunteers should be skilled at identifying and helping suicidal students Train all students (another law) Develop prevention/intervention programs Student Services staff should be skilled at suicide risk assessment or have access to someone who is skilled in this area

    26. 26 In your school Are there any students you are concerned about right now? Who can you take a student to see?

    27. 27 Remember All you need to do to stop youth suicide is: ACT Acknowledge Care Tell The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available at (800) 273-TALK

    28. 28 Additional Resources DPI’s Suicide Prevention Web Page www.dpi.wi.gov/sspw/suicideprev Suicide Prevention Resource Center www.sprc.org

    29. 29 Practice ACT High School Junior Girl, “Monica” Used to be social, would laugh, participate Grades were good but have slipped Over 6 or 8 months becomes isolated, gloomy, outlook is bleak One day says to you, “I’d like to take a permanent nap and never wake up.” What do you do?

    30. 30 Contact Information John Humphries (608) 266-7189 john.humphries@dpi.wi.gov

    31. 31 Webcasts may also be observed at: www.citizenpreparedness.org From the Center for School, Youth, and Citizen Preparedness

    32. 32 Any comments regarding this webcast? Any suggestions on future school safety topics? Contact: Joan Lerman 608-266-2829 joan.lerman@dpi.wi.gov Ken Wagner 608-266-5181 kenneth.wagner@dpi.wi.gov

    33. 33 Programs archived at: http://media2.wi.gov/dpi/catalog

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