Time to ACT: An overview of the Signs of Suicide Program Lauren Canafax , DMS Counselor Jane Kea , CMS Counselor 1
Myth or Fact?
It is a myth that talking about suicide will put the idea into Myth someone’s head. Bringing up or the subject of suicide and Fact? discussing it openly can reduce anxiety and lead a person experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help. Source; The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation 3
Myth or Fact?
It is a myth that suicidal Myth people keep their plans to or themselves. Most suicidal Fact? people communicate their intent sometime during the week preceding their attempt. Source; The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation
Myth or Fact?
Myth. Asking someone Myth directly about suicidal or intent lowers anxiety, Fact? opens up communication, and lowers the risk of an impulsive act. Source; The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation 7
Myth or Fact?
Myth . Suicide prevention is Myth everybody’s business, and or ANYONE can help prevent Fact? the tragedy of suicide. Suicide is a preventable cause of death, and almost any positive action may save a life. Source; The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation 9
Source; The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation 10
Research reveals that seven out of ten young people who take their lives will tell a friend or show a warning sign, however in most cases those friends will not tell an adult . 11
The SOS Curriculum “SOS Signs of Suicide” is a universal, school-based prevention program designed for middle school and high school students. 12
The SOS Curriculum The goals of the program are… Decrease suicide and suicide attempts by increasing student knowledge ● and adaptive attitudes about depression ● Encourage personal help-seeking and/or help-seeking on behalf of a friend Reduce the stigma of mental illness and acknowledge the importance of ● seeking help or treatment ● Engage parents and school staff as partners in prevention through “gatekeeper” education 13
What it Looks Like Counselors visit classrooms and... ● ○ Directly teach students some signs of depression and suicidal ideation. ○ Directly teach students their action steps in the event that they or someone they know is experiencing suicidal tendencies. ○ Show videos with examples of a teen showing a sign of suicidal thoughts or depression to a friend. During the video, the counselor will pause and point out what the friend does wrong and what the friend does right. ○ Guide students through a mental health screening and discuss the meaning of the results. ● After the lesson is implemented, counselors follow up with students as needed based upon screening results ● Counselors reinforce knowledge of the action steps and warning signs throughout the year. 14
Today you will be participating in the Signs of Suicide prevention program, which is used in thousands of schools throughout the country. Our goal today is to learn about depression and suicide SOS: and to help you learn to recognize warning signs and how to act on your concern for yourself or a friend. What The purpose of this program is not to tell whether or not you are suffering from depression, but rather to tell you if you may have Students symptoms that indicate a need for a further evaluation . See The core message is ACT — A: Acknowledge that you are seeing signs of depression in yourself or a friend and that it is serious; C: Care by letting your friend know how much you care about them and are concerned that they need help; T: Tell a trusted adult that you are worried about yourself or a friend. 15
Depression is more than just feeling “down.” It’s a medical condition that affects the body SOS: and mind. When that sad and hopeless feeling lasts for more than a couple of weeks, What the condition is called depression which can Students lead to thoughts of death or suicide. See 16
Signs (Symptoms) of Depression ● Frequent sadness, tearfulness, or crying Hopelessness ● SOS: Decreased interest in activities; or ● What ● inability to enjoy previously favorite activities ● Persistent boredom, low energy Students Social isolation, poor communication ● Low self-esteem and guilt ● See ● Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure ● Increased irritability, anger, or hostility Difficulty with relationships ● Frequent complaints of physical illnesses, such as headaches and ● stomach aches ● Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns ● Talk of/or efforts to run away from home ● ● Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-destructive behavior 17
In this first clip, we will watch a girl who exhibits some, but not all, of the common warning signs of depression. SOS: What Students See 18
Why was the younger sister’s reaction considered troubling and not just a “normal” response to a bad situation? SOS: It’s not unusual for people to feel sad, upset, and angry about the What loss of a relationship they value. These feelings can come and go over time. However, her reaction was much more serious and not Students a “typical” response to what was going on. What she experienced lasted over two weeks and involved changes in her mood, behavior, physical health, and thinking . See A warning sign is an indication that an individual may be experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide. Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. 19
Warning Signs for Suicide ● Talking, reading, or writing about suicide or death SOS: ● Talking about feeling worthless or helpless What Saying things like, “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were ● Students dead,” or “I shouldn’t have been born” ● Visiting or calling people to say goodbye See Giving things away ● Organizing or cleaning one’s bedroom “for the last time” ● ● Developing a sudden interest in drinking alcohol ● Purposely putting oneself in danger Obsessing about death, violence, and guns or knives ● Previous suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts ● 20
What about the older sister’s first response made it “wrong”? SOS: • She blames her sister, saying “Just stop whining What and give it some time.” Students • She minimizes the problem, saying, “Don’t you See think you’re being a little dramatic?” • She ends the conversation abruptly by leaving the room. 21
In the second clip, we watch the older sister use the ACT response when she recognizes signs and symptoms of depression and SOS: suicide. What Students See 22
How does the older sister use the ACT technique in the “correct” response? SOS: • Acknowledge : She makes eye contact with her sister and What says, “I know you’re upset but saying that is pretty serious.” Students • Care: The older sister offers to go to their mother together when the younger sister seems scared. She also emphasizes See her concern when she says, “I’m really worried about you.” At the end, she repeats, “I’ll be there with you.” • Tell : The older sister won’t be sworn to secrecy. When her younger sister asks to promise not to tell, she replies, “I can’t do that! I think you’re really depressed, and we have to talk to somebody .” She doesn’t give up when her sibling doesn’t want to talk to their mother. She even states, “Well if you don’t, I will.” The older sister also provides reassurance that it will be okay and that her younger sister isn’t crazy, she just needs help. 23
What should you say if a friend talks about suicidal feelings? SOS: What You can say something like: Students See • “I’m here for you.” • “I’m really worried about you.” • “Let’s go talk to someone.” 24
Tell an adult? But that’s my friend’s personal business! SOS: What If your friend fell and broke his arm during athletics, would you go to a coach for help or would you try to help your friend on your own? Students If your friend fell down the stairs and injured herself while See walking to class, would you run to a nearby teacher or would you try to deliver medical help on your own? You should provide comfort while you wait for medical help, but you should not try to solve a medical problem on your own. If you suspect a friend is depressed or suicidal, you should treat it as a medical concern. While you definitely have the power to help your friend see his/her worth, you alone cannot get them the help they need. You must tell a trusted adult. 25
What are some things you could do if you see someone posts messages late at night that talk about harming SOS: themselves or others? What Students Take the messages seriously. ● See ● Follow ACT Go to your parent or guardian. ● ● Call emergency services on their behalf if no one is home. ● Once you have contacted emergency services, contact a trusted adult and let them know what is happening. 26
SOS: What Students See The BSAD Screening It is NOT a diagnostic tool ● ● It is NOT anonymous 27
SOS: What Students See 28
HOPE Squads are the eyes and ears of our schools. They are comprised of students who are trained to watch for at-risk students and provide friendship, identify warning signs, and seek help from adults 29
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