Quick Fact: In this section youth suicide statistics will be displayed.

1. Today you will be learning about how to prevent teen suicide. You will first be presented a scenario about a fictional student in your class. Then you will be given some behaviors and attitudes to watch for, along with some statistics about youth suicide. Once you have completed that, you will be presented with some ideas on what to do once you have identified a student at risk for suicide. You will then be given a chance to apply some of what you learned through a short series of scenarios designed to help you generate strategies for helping a young person choose life over suicide. Quick Fact: In this section youth suicide statistics will be displayed.

2. This is one of your students, Jacob. You have noticed that he has not been himself lately and has appeared to be sad almost constantly. You have heard murmurs from other staff that his home life has taken a turn for the worse. Quick Fact: Every day, there are 11 youth suicides. You are worried about him, but you do not know what to do. You even fear that he may be suicidal. Do you know the warning signs of suicide? How common is suicide among students like Jacob?

3. In your observations of Jacob, you have noticed some troubling signs. Are they possible signals that a suicide attempt may be imminent? Remember the acronym IS PATH WARM. Ideation Substance abuse Purposelessness Anxiety Trapped Hopelessness Withdrawal Anger Recklessness Mood Changes Let’s learn more about each warning signal and some possible questions that you should be asking yourself or Jacob. Quick Fact: Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people.

4. Ideation: Suicide ideation defined simply as thoughts of harming or killing oneself. The severity of suicidal ideation can be determined by assessing the frequency, intensity, and duration of these thoughts. Has Jacob mentioned that he has thoughts of suicide, even if only in jest? Have his school writings mentioned suicide, or become morbid and focused on death or dying? Quick Fact: Those between 15 and 24 years old are nine times more likely to commit suicide than the national average.

5. Substance abuse: The excessive consumption or misuse of a substance for the sake of its effects on the body, particularly drugs or alcohol. Fifty percent of all suicide attempts and 25% of completed suicides involve drugs or alcohol. Has Jacob or any of his friends exhibited signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Quick Fact: It has been estimated that for every completed suicide by youth, 100 to 200 attempts are made.

6. Purposelessness: Lacking a purpose, feeling useless or insignificant. Has Jacob suddenly abandoned his future plans? Has he made comments such as “I can’t do anything right,” or “What’s the point of any of this?” Quick Fact: In 2009, 13.8% of high school students reported that they had thoughts of suicide in the past year.

7. Anxiety: Nervousness or agitation, feeling of impending doom or misfortune. Have you noticed any of the following signs of anxiety from Jacob: jitteriness, lack of concentration/focus, hyperventilation, crying for no known reason? Severe panic attacks can mimic heart attacks. Has he talked of feeling nauseated, experiencing chest pains, or having difficulty breathing? Men that report severe anxieties are nine times more likely to attempt suicide and women are more than three times likely. Quick Fact: In 2009, 6.3% of high school students reported making at least one suicide attempt in the previous year.

8. (Feeling) Trapped: Feeling hampered and unable to act freely. Has Jacob stated that he feels he is losing, or has lost control over his life? Does he feel as if something is stifling him and preventing him from moving forward? Quick Fact: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, year round: 1-800-273-TALK.

9. Hopelessness: Put simply, to feel there is no hope; to be despairing. People that report extreme hopelessness are 11 times more likely to commit suicide than those that do not. Has Jacob mentioned such feelings? Quick Fact: Almost 46% of suicides by youths are completed using a firearm.

10. Withdrawal: To be emotionally unresponsive or aloof. Has Jacob separated himself from his peers? Does he eat lunch alone or refuse the company of others? Does he have a flat affect, or appear to be emotionally numb? Quick Fact: Between 1981 and 2007, the suicide rate for children age 10-14 increased by over 50%.

11. Anger Has Jacob shown extreme anger or rage? Has he been getting into fights with other students or faculty? Has he slammed things, such as doors or his desk, when upset? Does he ‘fly off the handle” from the slightest provocation or things that may seem insignificant? Does he internalize his anger or direct it at himself? Quick Fact: On average in a typical high school classroom, one boy and two girls have made a suicide attempt in the previous year.

12. Recklessness: Acting without thinking or caring about the consequences. Has Jacob exhibited reckless behavior? Has he had brushed with the law or been arrested? Quick Fact: Up to 86% of parents are unaware of their child’s suicidal behavior.

13. Mood changes Extreme or sudden mood changes could be a sign of a bipolar disorder. People that have been diagnosed with manic depression, or bipolar disorder, are more likely to attempt suicide than those who suffer from depression alone. Bipolar onset is usually in the teen or young adult years. Have you noticed such mood swings in Jacob? In the mornings, is it a mystery “which Jacob” will come to school? Quick Fact: Three out of four students state they would confide in a friend if contemplating suicide.

14. You may have observed some of these traits in Jacob. ANY of these factors can be a leading indicator of suicide, so what should you do now? The single most important thing that you can do is to be serious about the situation. Here are some additional steps that you should take: Give your student a helpful resource. The National Suicide Prevention hotline is a free service available 24 hours a day for those in need. Their number is 1-800-273-TALK. Encourage Jacob to reach out to a friend, family member or someone else in his life such as a counselor or clergy. Be direct and talk openly about suicide. Quick Fact: In a recent study, 25% of teachers surveyed reported that they had been approached by a suicidal student.

15. Be willing to listen and give Jacob an outlet for expressing his feelings. Accept that these are his feelings. Do not judge. Do not lecture. Do not debate. Get involved and make yourself available to Jacob. Express interest and support as he works through his problems. Do not be sworn to secrecy. Helping a student such as Jacob will likely require more resources than you will be able to provide on your own. Seek support from your school’s social worker or guidance counselor. Learn your school’s procedures and protocols for suicide prevention. Quick Fact: Nine out of ten adolescents who commit suicide give warning signs to those around them.

16. Activity In this section you will have an opportunity to apply some of what you have learned today. Scenario 1: One of your colleagues, Mr. Jones, asks to talk to you about one of his students. Jessica, he says, has been having a lot of problems lately. “She has not been turning in her work like she used to, and I have noticed that she has not been as talkative with her friends. She is very withdrawn these days. I asked her what was wrong, and she just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. What should I do?” What would you say to Mr. Jones? Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.

17. Activity (cont.) If you said that you would urge Mr. Jones to try to get more information from Jessica without being pushy, you are correct. Would you also remind Mr. Jones of the services available at the school for student support, such as the counselor or social worker? This would also be a good opportunity to share some of what you have learned in this instruction with Mr. Jones, as well as give him some tips on what to watch for with Jessica. Can you name some of them? (Remember: IS PATH WARM) What are some other outside resources that you could pass along to Mr. Jones? Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.

18. Activity (cont.) Scenario 2 In your creative writing class, your student Ryan turned in a story that you found disturbing. The story is centered on a teenage boy that commits suicide. In his writing, Ryan seems to idolize this boy, and makes him out to be heroic. In his descriptions of the boy you recognize that this character is based on Ryan himself. What does this story from Ryan tell you? What would you do? Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.

19. Activity (cont.) If you said that this is a clear example of suicide ideation, you are correct. If your instincts told you that this is a very dangerous situation and you should act immediately, you would be wise to trust them. Hopefully, you have already formulated a plan of action that is in line with your school’s policy. Most likely this will include putting together a crisis prevention team and an immediate referral for Ryan to speak with the counselor or social worker. Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.

20. Review Let’s spend a moment to review what you have learned today. When looking for suicide warning signs, remember the acronym IS PATH WARM. Ideation Hopelessness Substance Abuse Withdrawal Purposelessness Anger Anxiety Recklessness Trapped Mood Changes Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.

21. Review (cont.) When talking with a student and investigating if a suicide may be imminent, remember these things: The National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK Be open about the subject, but not flippant or glib. Make sure that you know the procedures in place at your school and how to initiate a prevention plan. Accept the student’s feelings as real and make yourself available to talk. Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.

22. Conclusion This concludes today’s instruction. For more information, visit the following websites: CDC Suicide Prevention The American Association of Suicidology Youth Suicide Prevention Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide National Suicide Prevention Lifeline American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Quick Fact: While firearms are used in 55% of male suicides, poisoning is the most common method for females at 40%.