Discussion on Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention

 

Dear Parent and Guardians,

As you review the following information and attachments regarding youth suicide prevention, if you have concerns that your child may be in need of immediate services you can contact our Allegheny County Crisis Intervention Services, re:solve, for free 24 hour confidential phone and mobile support at 1-888-796-8226

For non-crisis related concerns you may wish to contact your primary care physician for a wellness visit and/or your child’s school counselor.

GET THE FACTS

YOUTH SUICIDE FACT SHEET BASED ON 2014 & 2015 DATA (2016)

Overview

  • In 2014, 5,079 youth age 15-24 died by suicide.
  • Suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds in 2014. Suicide was also the 2nd leading cause of death for youth aged 10-14 years old.
  • The 2015 Youth Risk and Behavior Survey found that in previous 12 months among high school students; 17.7% seriously considered suicide; 14.6% made a plan for suicide; 8.6% attempted suicide one or more times; 2.8% made a suicide attempt that had to be treated by doctor or nurse.
  • Girls are more likely to attempt suicide, but boys are 4.34 times more likely to die by suicide than girls.
  • Among ages 15-24, 4,111 Caucasians, 544 African Americans, 229 Asian/Pacific Islanders and 129 Native Americans died by suicide during 2014.

RISK FACTORS

  • Mental illness
  • Substance abuse
  • Firearms in the household
  • Previous suicide attempts
  • Non-suicidal self-injury
  • Exposure to friends’/family member’s suicide
  • Low self-esteem

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

  • Family and school connectedness
  • Safe schools
  • Reduced access to firearms
  • Academic achievement
  • Self-esteem

Youth Suicide Can Be Prevented

Youth across America are affected by suicide, be it families, at school, or in their own lives. The cost is immeasurable, but help is available. Friends are often the first to know their friend is suicidal, and we need to help them know where to find help.

Mental Illness Facts and Numbers (NAMI)

Numbers of Americans Affected by Mental Illness

  • One in four adults−approximately 61.5 million Americans−experience mental illness in a given year. One in 17−about 13.6 million−live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder.
  • Approximately 20 percent of youth ages 13 to 18 experience severe mental disorders in a given year. For ages 8 to 15, the estimate is 13 percent.
  • Approximately 1.1 percent of American adults— about 2.6 million people—live with schizophrenia.
  • Approximately 2.6 percent of American adults−6.1 million people−live with bipolar disorder.
  • Approximately 6.7 percent of American adults−about 14.8 million people−live with major depression.
  • Approximately 18.1 percent of American adults−about 42 million people−live with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder and phobias.
  • About 9.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.
  • Approximately 26 percent of homeless adults staying in shelters live with serious mental illness and an estimated 46 percent live with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
  • Approximately 20 percent of state prisoners and 21 percent of local jail prisoners have “a recent history” of a mental health condition.
  • Seventy percent of youth in juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition and at least 20 percent live with a severe mental illness.

Getting Mental Health Treatment in America

  • Approximately 60 percent of adults12, and almost one-half of youth ages 8 to 15 with a mental illness received no mental health services in the previous year.
  • African American and Hispanic Americans used mental health services at about one-half the rate of whites in the past year and Asian Americans at about one-third the rate.
  • One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by age 24. 15 Despite effective treatment, there are long delays−sometimes decades−between the first appearance of symptoms and when people get help.

The Impact of Mental Illness in America

  • Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.
  • Mood disorders such as depression are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults ages 18 to 44.
  • Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions. 19 Adults living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than other Americans, largely due to treatable medical conditions.
  • Over 50 percent of students with a mental health condition age 14 and older who are served by special education drop out−the highest dropout rate of any disability group.
  • Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. (more common than homicide) and the third leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24 years.22 More than 90 percent of those who die by suicide had one or more mental disorders. 23 • Although military members comprise less than 1 percent of the U.S. population24, veterans represent 20 percent of suicides nationally. Each day, about 18 veterans die from suicide.

Videos

Stories of Hope and Recovery: Jordan’s Story

Half of Us – Emotional Health 101

Teen Suicide Prevention

Not My Kid

8 Suicide Prevention Apps

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Americans, with someone dying of suicide every 13.3 minutes in 2011. Traditional suicide prevention resources such as education, counseling and help lifelines are being augmented with mobile apps that expand the reach and try to save lives that might otherwise be lost. Check out 8 suicide prevention apps aimed to help those with suicidal thoughts, as well as friends, family, and loved ones looking to educate themselves and reach out to someone in need.

Disclaimer: These apps are intended to be supplemental resources to help people who may be at risk for suicide, but they are not meant to replace medical or mental-health advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek professional help.

Resource articles regarding APPS that can monitor student’s texts, photos and emails for suicidal tendencies

[ezcol_1quarter] [/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_1quarter] [/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_1quarter][/ezcol_1quarter][ezcol_1quarter_end][/ezcol_1quarter_end] 

A Friend Asks (Android, iOS)

A Friend Asks (AndroidiOS) is a free app by the suicide prevention group Jason Foundation. It aims to teach its users how to recognize the signs that someone close to them may be thinking about suicide, and how to reach out to them proactively. The app provides users with a list of common warning signs of suicide ideation, do’s and don’ts for such a sensitive situation and easy access to resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

MY3 (Android, iOS) 

While “A Friend Asks” focuses on training users to recognize the signs of suicide ideation in others, MY3 (AndroidiOS) is targeted squarely at those who are depressed or suicidal themselves. MY3 aims to keep you connected to your core network, asking you to choose three close contacts, such as friends, family, loved ones or your therapist, that you feel comfortable reaching out to whenever you feel down. In addition, MY3 helps you build your own Safety Plan, asking you to think through and list your own warning signs, coping strategies and support network, so that you can easily act when you recognize your warning signs. In addition, the app includes a wealth of suicide prevention resources and contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

ASK & Prevent Suicide (Android, iOS)

A project by Mental Health America of Texas, ASK & Prevent Suicide (AndroidiOS) lists down warning signs that a person might be thinking of suicide, as well as practical advice on how to intervene using the ASK (Ask, Seek help/Stay safe, and Know how and where to refer) methodology. In addition, the app includes helpful links to more info, a quick dial function for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a variety of Texas-based hotlines and sections for Veteran’s and LGBTQ resources.

 

Suicide Crisis Support (Android)

Suicide Crisis Support is an Android app by the QPR Institute that serves as an electronic version of its booklet “The Tender Leaves of Hope, Helping Someone Survive a Suicide Crisis.” Intended for relatives and friends of those judged to be at risk of suicidal behavior, the eBook is designed to help understand a suicidal person’s frame of mind, what might drive them to suicide and how to help. In addition, the app comes with a dialer to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and a link to the QPR Institute, which offers suicide prevention training.

Stay Alive (Android, iOS)

Stay Alive is an Android and iOS app by the UK-based charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention, and is geared for people who may think of committing suicide, as well as friends and family who may want to help. The app comes loaded with resources, including a customizable “My Safety Plan” of actions, places and people that can help calm you down when you’re feeling suicidal, a Lifebox that you can fill with your personal inspirational photos and access to breathing exercises and grounding techniques. Concerned friends can read up on warning signs of suicidal behavior, practical steps to help, myths about suicide and what not to say when trying to comfort or approach a suicidal person. The only slight downside is that its hotlines and links are mostly UK-based, but the app’s content is quite solid.

Operation Reach Out (iOS)

Operation Reach Out is an iOS suicide prevention app aimed at veterans and military families. The app is intended to provide support for people having suicidal thoughts as well as friends, family or service members concerned that someone they know might be considering suicide. The app comes with numerous video vignettes offering suicide counseling, dos and dont’s when reaching out to a potentially suicidal loved one and a help center with suicide hotlines and other resources.

Ulster County SPEAK (Android, iOS) 

Ulster County SPEAK (Suicide Prevention, Education, & Awareness Kit) is an Android and iOS app that provides suicide prevention information and resources. The app provides information on suicide warning signs and a guide on what to say and avoid when attempting to approach a suicidal person, with focused sections for veterans, adults and teens. It also comes with a variety of hotlines and links to suicide prevention resources.

 

HELP Prevent Suicide (Android, iOS)

HELP Prevent Suicide

HELP Prevent Suicide (AndroidiOS) keeps its approach short and simple, with a home screen that puts the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline contact number front and center, while also providing concise warning signs of suicide ideation and guidelines for how to help and ask a friend about potentially suicidal thoughts. Additional resources include a page of helpline numbers, online resources, and addresses and contact numbers for Oklahoma-based crisis centers.

Parent and Guardian Resources

Youth warning signs and procedures when you have concerns regarding a student’s safety refer to:

Video links and websites:

Wallet and pocket cards refer to:

Other Support & Resources

Teen Depression – You are Not Alone

Understanding Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide: A Primer for Preventing Suicide

AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) 

Dr. Mark Lepore, Ed.D, MSW, Clarion University
MLepore@Clarion.edu

Dr. Lepore has extensive knowledge of counseling psychology and counseling supervision gained from not only academic work, but also 20 years of clinical practice. Areas of specialty include school counseling, crisis counseling, using cognitive behavioral therapy, and grief and loss counseling. His instructional strategies are bolstered by many experiences working in the field of counseling and education. He uses these experiences to engage students to help them to understand the importance of the material and increase their understanding of subject matter.

Cyberbullying Resource Center – Clearinghouse of resources for teens, parents and educators on preventing and addressing online bullying issues  –

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – National and regional support for individuals with a behavioral health issue as well as support for their families and friends.    Also refer to www.ok2talk.org and www.notalone.org

STAR (Services for Teens at Risk)-Center – A specialty clinic in Oakland focusing on the evaluation and treatment of depressed, self-injuring and suicidal youth.  or call 412-246-5619

The Trevor Project – National support and advocacy for GLBTQ youth including on-line suicide prevention  

Again, for free 24 hour crisis consultation and intervention services contact re:solve at 1-888-796-8226.

We look forward to joining forces in our suicide prevention efforts and the promotion of health and wellness among our youth.