Screening for Suicide Dustin W. Bogan, PA ‐ C Pediatric and Adolescent Health Partners
Suicide • Know the language • Suicide: Death caused by self ‐ directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result • Suicide Attempt: Non ‐ fatal, self ‐ directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior • Suicidal Ideation: Thinking about, considering, or planning suicide
Suicide Warning Signs • Talking or joking about committing suicide • Saying things like “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I could disappear,” or “There is no way out” • Speaking positively about death or romanticizing death • Writing stories or poems about death, dying, or suicide • Reckless behavior or frequent accidents • Giving away prized possessions • Saying goodbye to friends or family as if it were the last time • Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themself
Suicide • Suicide is the 10 th leading cause of death in the United States • Suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death in teens and young adults ages 10 ‐ 34 • Someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes in the United States • 47,163 suicides in 2017 compared to 19,510 homicides • A majority of individuals who die by suicide have contact with their healthcare provider within 3 months prior to their death
Pilot Study Results • 12% of suicide screens were positive • 91% of the participants thought it was a good idea to screen • 83% of parents think suicide screening should take place in the pediatric office • 1/3 children had previously been asked about suicide
“Suicidal thoughts can happen at random times. It’s better to offend someone asking them than not asking at all. People who want to commit suicide have a mask on. Try to ask questions in a way that will penetrate the mask, but leave it intact. “
The Truth about Screening • Suicide is common, screening is necessary • Asking about suicide does not increase someone’s risk of dying by suicide • Talking about suicide creates an opportunity for communication • Someone with suicidal ideation has not made up their mind yet • Suicide screening is brief, easy, and effective • The Ask Suicide ‐ Screening Questions take only 20 seconds to complete
Suicide Prevention • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline • 1 ‐ 800 ‐ 273 ‐ TALK (8255) • Spanish: 1 ‐ 888 ‐ 628 ‐ 9454 • Crisis Text Line • Text HOME to 741 ‐ 741 • Suicide Prevention Resource Center • www.sprc.org • National Institute of Mental Health • www.nimh.nih.gov • Ask Suicide ‐ Screening Questions Toolkit • https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research ‐ conducted ‐ at ‐ nimh/asq ‐ toolkit ‐ materials/index.shtml • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration • www.samhsa.gov
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