Suicide Prevention

Individuals considering suicide are struggling with a number of personal problems for which they see no solution. Most people who are suicidal truly do not want to die; they simply want their emotional distress to go away and feel able to resolve their dilemma.

Children who are suicidal often feel:

• HELPLESS - they feel powerless and unable to change their situation.
• HOPELESS - they believe their problems and feelings of despair will never go away.
• ISOLATED - they feel alone in their pain and believe no one is able to understand

WHAT CAN YOU AS A PARENT DO . . .

• recognize the warning signals.
• express your concern and your interest.
  offer your support.
• ask directly about the suicidal thoughts. You will not be putting ideas into the person's mind.
• take every suicide threat, comment or action seriously.
• express that you care.
• listen. Try to understand what the person is feeling. You do not have to solve the person's problem or offer advice.
• encourage the expression of feelings.
• offer acceptance.
• share your feelings: that you too have felt alone, sad, hurt or hopeless at some time.
• offer hope that alternatives are available. Be careful not to offer oversimplified or false reassurances which show you do not understand.
• seek support. Get help. Together identify options and someone else to whom you can talk.

FACTS AND MYTHS

Youth suicide is such an emotional issue that it has, not surprisingly, remained a taboo subject, not open for discussion or research, until more recently. The act of suicide was seen as a sin, a crime or a family disgrace. Parents would carry the brunt of the blame, shame and guilt. There are still many myths and much misinformation about suicide, as family members, relatives, friends, associates and society at large struggle to find an explanation for the suicidal act.

Using the technique of "psychological autopsy" (reviewing past records and interviewing friends and family members of the deceased), several facts have emerged and myths dispelled. However, more research is required if we are going to have better understanding and prevention of youth suicide.

There are several facts about suicide that we do know:

1. Suicide rate in young people has been increasing.
2. Suicide is uncommon in children under the age of 10 but its inci dence increases after the onset of puberty and peaks at young adulthood.
3. There are many more attempted suicides than completed suicides.
4. Many youths (between 60-80%) have sought help within the previ ous month before the suicide.
5. There is an increased risk if the youth has a previous history of attempted suicide.
6. Many completed suicides are well planned with the youths intend ing to kill themselves.
7. Suicide has major impact on family members and the youth's peers.
8. "Copy cat" suicides can occur and may follow dramatic portrayals of suicides on television programs or media items.

There are also many myths about suicide:

1. It can't happen to my teenage child.
2. Talking about suicidal intent will lead to suicide.
3. Suicide attempt is a manipulative behaviour and therefore should be ignored or even punished.
4. Suicides occur only in lower socio-economic groups.
5. Suicides come out of the blue with little or no warning.
6. Teenagers will "leam" from their "mistakes" and they won't try again.
7. Depression and other mental disorders do not occur in young people.

Youth

Suicides among young people nationwide have increased dramatically in recent years. Each year in the U.S., thousands of young people commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-yr-olds.

Youth experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up.

For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with stepparents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. In some cases, suicide appears to be a "solution."

Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The young person needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful.

Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:

• change in eating and sleeping habits
• withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
• violent actions, rebellious behavior, or rerunning away.
• drug and alcohol use
• unusual neglect of personal appearance
• marked personality change
• persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
• frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
• loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• not tolerating praise or reward.

A young person who is planning to commit suicide may also:

• complain of being a bad person or feeling "rotten inside"
• give verbal hints with statements such as: "I won't be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," "It's no use," and "I won't see you again"
• put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongs, etc.
• become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
• have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)

If a young person says, "I want to kill myself," or "I'm going to commit suicide," always take the statement seriously and seek evaluation from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking the youth whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. Rather than "putting thoughts in the child's head," such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems.

If one or more of the above signs occur, parents need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help when the concerns persist. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a healthier path of development.

Risk factors for suicide among the young include suicidal thoughts, psychiatric disorders (such as depression, impulsive aggressive behavior, bipolar disorder, certain anxiety disorders), drug and/or alcohol abuse and previous suicide attempts, with the risk increased if there is also situational stress and access to firearms.

SUICIDAL

The following are the key words:

Stress
Unsupported
Isolation
Calculated (intentional)
Impulsivity
Depression
Attempted previously
Low self-esteem

To you, the survivor, suicide means the death of one dearly loved... a death that was sudden and perhaps violent... a death that resulted from your loved one's choice to die. In addition to your natural grieving, you are also dealing with the knowledge that your pain is the result of their decision.

Suicide can have a devastating effect on those who are left behind. It's like a driving force slamming into what had once been perceived as relatively stable... shattering the lives and relationships of survivors.

You, the survivor, have a choice: To grow bitter or to grow better.

The grief that follows suicide is extremely difficult. It is complicated and often isolates the survivors: friends and acquaintances may be uncomfortable talking about the event. Natural grief reactions are intensified and special conflicts are created when suicide is the cause of death.

We hope to combat this isolation by allowing the joining together of people who have experienced this form of loss. Our purpose is to help survivors deal with the impact of a suicidal death. We cannot take the pain away but we can encourage the healthy resolution of grief by offering understanding, acceptance, and support. As a group we will have the opportunity to share techniques for coping and surviving.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE...
IT HELPS TO TALK...
IT HELPS TO SHARE...

Strength and healing can be gained by sharing your feelings about your loss without fear of judgment or censure. These feeling commonly include guilt, confusion, rejection, shame, anger and fear. We seek to provide an environment where you will feel safe in exploring your reactions to your loss and pain.

Involvement is this support group does not replace therapy. The healing that occurs here results from the understanding, caring, and encouragement shared among group members.

Group facilitators are volunteers who have received extensive training in the grieving process, crisis intervention and group dynamics.

The support group is not affiliated with any religious creed or denomination.

Your privacy and confidentiality will be respected. What is shared with the group says with the group.