Suicide Guidelines for Students

STUDENTS SUPPORTING STUDENTS

• Most children and adolescents don’t know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth in the United States and it can be prevented if adults and kids are aware of the warning signs and know what to do.
• Research shows the number one person a teenager wants to talk to in times of crisis is another teenager.
• Although children and adolescents thinking about suicide are not likely to seek help, they do say or do something, write or draw something that comes to the attention of a friend, classmate, parent or school staff. Never ignore these signs. You can help!
• If you want to help prevent suicide, the first step is to learn the warning signs. Then learn the steps to take to save a friend.

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE

Here is what you can do:

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE

• Suicide notes. These are a real sign of danger and should be taken seriously. They can be written or messages on mobile texts or social networking sites.
• Plan/method/access. A suicidal child or adolescent may show an increased interest in guns and other weapons. They may hint at or talk about a suicide plan.
• Threats. Threats may be direct statements (I want to die. I am going to kill myself.) or indirect comments (The world would be better without me. Nobody will miss me anyway.).
• Previous attempts. If a child or teenager has attempted suicide in the past, there is a greater likelihood that he or she will try again. Be very observant of any friends who have tried suicide before.
• Depression. When symptoms of depression include strong feelings of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness, a child or adolescent is possibly at greater risk for suicide.
• Masked depression. Engaging in risk-taking behaviors can include acts of aggression, gunplay, and alcohol/substance abuse. While your friend does not act “depressed,” their behavior suggests that they are not concerned about their own safety.
• Final arrangements. This behavior may take many forms. In adolescents, it might be giving away prized possessions such as jewelry, clothing, journals or pictures.
• Efforts to hurt oneself. Self-injury behaviors are warning signs for young children as well as teenagers. Common self-destructive behaviors include running into traffic, jumping from heights, and scratching/cutting/marking the body.
• Inability to concentrate or think clearly. Such problems may be reflected in classroom behavior, homework habits, academic performance, household chores, even conversation. If your friend starts skipping classes, getting poor grades, acting up in class, forgetting or poorly performing chores around the house or talking in a way that suggests they are having trouble concentrating, these might be signs of stress and risk for suicide.
• Changes in physical habits and appearance. These changes include inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, sudden weight gain or loss, disinterest in appearance or hygiene.
• Sudden changes in personality, friends, and behaviors. Changes can include withdrawing from friends and family, skipping school or classes, loss of involvement in activities that were once important, and avoiding friends.
• Death and suicidal themes. These might appear in classroom drawings, work samples, journals, homework, or electronic communications.

Adapted from: Lieberman, R. (2010). Save a friend: Tips for teens to prevent suicide. In A. Canter, L.Paige, M. Roth, I., Romero, & S. A. Carroll (Eds.). Helping children at home and school III: Handouts for families and educators. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.