SUICIDE PREVENTION – Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High PTSA

KNOW THE SIGNS

According to 2014 data, suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. teens. People who are suicidal often do or say things that are signals they may be thinking about committing suicide.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shares common warning signs to watch for:

Threats or comments about killing themselves. This may begin with seemingly harmless comments like, “I wish I wasn’t here”
Increased alcohol or drug use
Aggressive behavior
Social withdrawal from friends, family and community
Dramatic mood swings
Talking, writing, or thinking about death
Impulsive or reckless behavior
Putting their affairs in order or giving away possessions
Saying goodbye to friends and family
Mood shifts from despair to calm
Planning, possibly by looking around, to buy, steal or borrow the tools needed to commit suicide, such as a firearm or prescription medication.

Knowing what to look for is the first step in helping someone who may be considering suicide. If you sense that something is wrong, trust your instincts.

FIND THE WORDS

Start the Conversation:

If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. Don’t be afraid! Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. Talking about suicide won’t give the person ideas about death. The opposite is true — bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Tell the person you are worried about them. Mention the warning signs you have noticed. Be sure to have suicide crisis resources on hand.

Ask about Suicide:

Ask the person if they are thinking about suicide. If they say they are feeling hopeless or considering suicide, take them seriously.

Listen:

Express concern and reassure the person. Listen with empathy and provide support. Someone who is experiencing emotional pain or suicidal thoughts can feel isolated, even with family and friends around.

Create a Safety Plan:

A safety plan can help guide a person through a crisis and help keep them safe. A safety plan is a written list of coping strategies and sources of support for people who are at high risk for suicide. The strategies found in a customized safety plan can be used before or during a suicidal crisis.

Make sure the person you care about keeps the plan easily accessible in case they have thoughts of hurting themselves. Ask the person if they have access to any lethal means (weapons, medications, etc.) and help remove them from the vicinity.

For information and a template on how to create a safety plan, visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself or my3app.org/safety-planning.