SUICIDE

SUICIDE

REASONS FOR INCREASE OF TEEN SUICIDE

• Major disappointment - such as rejection, loss of a boyfriend or girlfriend
• Stress - confusion , pressure and worries about self-worth
• Depression - cause feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness

MYTHS

• " only adults can get truly depressed"
• "Depression is a weakness"
• "Depression is mostly a white, middle class problem"

FACTS

• Kids as young as eight or nine can get severely depressed. Depression is epidemic among teens
• Depression is a serious but treatable illness that has nothing to do with moral strength or weakness.
• Depression is an "equal opportunity illness" that can affect anyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic level.

WARING SIGNS OF SUICIDE

• Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Sleeping to little or to much
• Displaying extreme mood swings

DEALING WITH A SUICIDAL PERSON

• Start conversations :
• " I have been feeling concerned about you lately "
• Recently, I have noticed something different in you and wondered how you are doing "
• Questions you can ask:
• When did you begin feeling like this?
• How can I best support you right now?
• What you can say to help:
• "You are not alone in this. I'm here for you"
• "You may not believe it right now , but the way you're feeling right now will change."

WHEN YOU FEEL SUICIDAL

• Promise not to do anything right now
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Make you home safe
• Don't keep these suicidal thoughts to yourself
• Have hope in yourself that you'll get through it

AFFECTS ON LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS

• Extreme guilt for not preventing the suicide
• Failure because a person they loved felt unloved
• Anger or resentment at the person
• Confusion to why they did it
• Distress over unresolved issues

ORGANIZATIONS

• Friends for survival - people who have lost loved ones ( 1-800-646-7322)
• American foundation of suicide prevention " I've lost someone" support group (1-800-273-8255)

REFERENCES

• Livestrong.com
• Tspn.org/myths-about-suicide
• Helpguide.org/articles/suicide
• Helpguide.org/articles/suicide
• Afsp.org