Notes

Outline

Suicide in Youth Impact on the Schools

Suicide is a leading cause of adolescent death An adolescent commits suicide every two hours in America In 1997, 11.4 per 100,000 youths committed suicide (CDC data) Suicide claims more adolescents than any disease or natural cause  Adolescent male suicide tripled between 1960 and 1980 Female suicide increased 2-3 fold

Attempts and Completion About 23 attempts for every completed suicide One in 10 attempters goes on to a completed suicide later.

Sex Differences Girls make more attempts Boys use more lethal methods and have more completed suicides

Why the Increase in Suicides? Possible Contributing Factors Increased divorce rate Less family stability Increased drug use Ready availability of firearms Increase in the incidence of childhood depression

Risk factors for suicide include: Previous suicide attempts Close family member who has committed suicide. Past psychiatric hospitalization Recent losses: Death of a relative, a family divorce, or a breakup with a girlfriend Social isolation: The individual does not have social alternatives or skills to find alternatives to suicide

Suicide Risk Factors II Drug or alcohol abuse: Drugs decrease impulse control. Some attempt to self-medicate their depression with drugs or alcohol. Exposure to violence in the home or the social environment: The individual sees violent behavior as a viable solution to life problems. Handguns in the home, especially if loaded.

Two Types of Suicidal Youth Impulsive suicide Planned suicide

Impulsive Suicide May have Conduct Disorder,     Oppositional Defiant Disorder or AD/HD Often using drugs History of impulsive aggression towards others May or may not be depressed.

Planned Suicide Depression Anorexia Nervosa Suicidal behavior may be carefully planned and thought out.

Peer Support: Pros and Cons Adolescents may try to deal with suicidal friends by themselves This may delay effective treatment If there is a suicide, the friends are left with overwhelming guilt.

What Peers Can Do Learn the warning signs of depression and suicidal thoughts Listen Tell a trusted adult Support the friend

Warning Signs: Suicidal talk Preoccupation with death and dying. Signs of depression Behavioral changes

Warning Signs II Giving away special possessions Making arrangements to take care of unfinished business Difficulty with appetite and sleep Taking excessive risks Increased drug use Loss of interest in usual activities

What Can the School Do?

Prevention/Education Education Decrease social factors associated with suicide Identify vulnerable teens early

Intervention Dealing with the suicidal student at school Have a protocol in place in advance Assess the degree of risk Extreme risk-student holding lethal items High risk-student expresses acute suicidal thoughts or plans Moderate risk-student has suicidal ideation but is not acutely suicidal.

Intervention II Communication between members of crisis team. Protect yourself and the student: Have a telephone nearby. Team and administration meet to debrief after the incident Keep parents informed

Postvention: After a Suicide School should have a plan in place Administration gets as much information as possible Crisis team meets with teachers to inform them Teachers talk to students. Be sure that all students get the same message. Rumor control

Postvention II Crisis team present in school Students and staff are told that they can meet with counselors Staff identifies vulnerable students

Dealing with Media Policy in place in advance Designated contact person Why talk to the media Help media avoid sensationalization and reduce chance of contagion.

Supporting students with suicidal thoughts Listen actively. Teach problem-solving skills Encourage positive thinking. Instead of saying that he cannot do something, he should say that he will try. Help the student write a list of his or her good qualities.

Supporting the suicidal student II Help the student set up a step-by-step plan to achieve his goals. Give the student opportunities for success. Give as much praise as possible Talk to the family so that they can understand how the student is feeling. Student might benefit from assertiveness training

Supporting the Student III Helping others may raise one’s self-esteem. Get the student involved in positive activities in school or in the community. If appropriate, involve the student’s religious community. Make up a contract with rewards for positive and new behaviors.