suicide and adolescents parent workshop

Suicide & Adolescents : 

Suicide & Adolescents A Collaborative Model for Parents and Counselors By Victoria Gutierrez

Why A Collaborative Model for Suicide Awareness and Parents and Teachers? : 

Why A Collaborative Model for Suicide Awareness and Parents and Teachers? Touchy subject that many individuals do not like to speak on Parents in denial that their child may have the symptoms or may be predisposed to such behavior Workshop can provide support and awareness Teachers need to be prepared as well

A Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program : 

A Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program Training for Educators and Parents Curriculum guide for students (all levels) Evaluation of trouble youth Follow-up of community referrals and internal contacts Postvention planning Having consultation available to schools developing prevention programs Evaluation of program success Adequate funding

What Information Will Be Provided? : 

What Information Will Be Provided? Suicide Warning Signs Causes Potential Triggers Bullying and Suicide Prevention Strategies Risk Factors Ethical and Legal Standards for Educators How educators can protect themselves?

Suicide Warning Signs: : 

Suicide Warning Signs: Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.(Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.) Talking or writing about death or suicide. Withdrawing from family and friends. Feeling hopeless. Feeling helpless. Feeling strong anger or rage. Feeling trapped -- like there is no way out of a situation. Experiencing dramatic mood changes. Abusing drugs or alcohol. Exhibiting a change in personality. Acting impulsively. Losing interest in most activities. Experiencing a change in sleeping habits. Experiencing a change in eating habits. Losing interest in most activities. Performing poorly at work or in school. Giving away prized possessions. Writing a will. Feeling excessive guilt or shame. Acting recklessly.

Suicide Causes : 

Suicide Causes Untreated mental illness is the cause for the vast majority of suicides Over 90% of suicides have a mental illness at the time of their death. - most common is depression Lack of Coping Skills Negative Life Experiences Usually more than 1 reason for suicide

Depression and Suicide: : 

Depression and Suicide: Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide A prolonged period of sadness that interferes with their ability to function An imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Many people do not receive treatment for depression and are at risk for suicide.

Teen and Youth Suicide: : 

Teen and Youth Suicide: 6th leading cause of death among youths aged 5-14 3rd leading cause of death among youths aged 15-24 There is 1 suicide for every 100-200 attempts among 15-24 year olds 1 yth suicide (aged 15-24) occurs every 100 min Young people are vulnerable Important for parents to pick up on possible warning signs and seek help ASAP

Potential Suicide Triggers for Young Person : 

Potential Suicide Triggers for Young Person Death of a parent Divorce of parents Entering a new family Breaking up with a boyfriend / girlfriend. Moving to a new community. Not feeling accepted by peers. Being ridiculed by classmates. Feeling misunderstood Any experience perceived to be "humiliating." Alcohol/Drug abuse Being bullied by classmates

Bullying and Suicide: : 

Bullying and Suicide: Bullying is an extremely serious problem in schools Can result in the victims becoming depressed and suicidal Occurs for many reasons Promote bullying awareness Inform individuals of extreme detrimental effects bullying can have

Actual Suicides : 

Actual Suicides 1.3% of all deaths are from suicide. On avg. one suicide occurs every 17 minutes. 11th leading cause of death for all Americans. 2nd leading cause of death among college students. 8th leading cause of death for males. 19th leading cause of death for females. 73% of all suicide deaths are white males. 80% of all firearm suicide deaths are white males. More people die from suicide than from homicides

Suicide Methods: : 

Suicide Methods: Rate Per Number 100,000 % of Total Firearms..................16,869........5.9.........55.1 All Other Methods.........13,753........4.8.........49.9 Hanging or Suffocation.....6,198........2.2.........20.2 Poisoning..................5,191........1.8.........17.0 Falls........................651........0.2..........2.1 Cutting / Piercing...........458........0.2..........1.5 Drowning.....................339........0.1..........1.1 Fire.........................147........0.1..........0.5

Slide 13: 

Remove all firearms or pills Don't dismiss their problems or get angry Support, Support, Support! Reassure them that you are there for them and available to listen as needed Be positive and encouraging Physical contact

Underlying Risk Factors : 

Underlying Risk Factors Mental and learning disorders Issues dealing with stress *Dealing with these issues 1st may prevent the outcome of suicide Substance abuse problems Behavior problems

Ethical & Legal Standards : 

Ethical & Legal Standards What are the ethical obligations of school counselors and other school personnel once a youth has been identified as potentially suicidal or has attempted or completed suicide? What are the roles of faculty, staff, and administrators and how do their roles differ from those of the school counselor and crisis team member? How do schools work with parents and guardians of minors to ensure that an appropriate constellation of services is provided for a suicidal youth? Can the school or school district be sued by families after an attempted or completed youth suicide? Capuzzi 2002

How Can We (Educators) Protect Ourselves? : 

How Can We (Educators) Protect Ourselves? Communication Administrators, staff, parents, students Individual and group counseling options Crisis Team Planning ahead, postvention Classroom Presentations Causes, myths, symptoms, never include a plan Don’t do assessments alone Notify Parents Consider hospitalization

How Can We (Educators) Protect Ourselves? : 

How Can We (Educators) Protect Ourselves? Writing and implementing prevention Crisis-management Postvention policies Procedures for protecting youth from self-harm