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If you think a youth is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 immediately for help
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Children and youth may be experiencing added stress from the (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to increased stress, they may feel isolated from friends and family, as well as adult support systems such as school staff. Some students may be stigmatized for contracting COVID-19 and experience exclusion from their peer groups. Increased stressors with reduced supports can result in suicidal thinking. Prior to the pandemic, suicide already was the second leading cause of death among adolescents 15-19 years old (Centers for Disease Control, 2020). Suicide prevention models that include training for youth and strengthen peer-to-peer identification and notification have proven successful.
Recognizing Warning Signs of Suicide: The following are some of the most common warning signs reflected in student behaviors:
· Expressing feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live. These could be comments such as: “I don’t even know why I’m here, I never asked to be born,” or “things are never going to get better.”
· Talking about feeling trapped or not being able to identify possible solutions to major stressors, problems or concerns.
· Changes in sleeping and eating patterns (too little or too much).
· Withdrawing from others.
· Demonstrating risky, self-destructive or self-harming behaviors.
· Talking about being a burden to others.
· Talking about wanting to die or killing themselves.
Responding to Suicidal Comments: These are initial responses adults can take to respond to warning signs:
· Note the warning signs noticed and express concern for the student’s well-being.
· Emphasize the student’s worth.
· Ask the student to say more about his or her feelings.
· Do not dismiss his or her feelings or perceived problems.
· Ask the student if he or she is thinking of killing him or herself or suicide.
· Let the student know help is available. Share information about local counseling supports, the Ohio CareLine, National Suicide Prevention Hotline or Ohio Crisis Textline (see Help Lines below).
Referring for Medical or Mental Health Assessment and Intervention
· If a student is expressing suicidal statements, the staff should follow referral protocols established for the school and district.
· Inform the parent or guardian of the concerns and available resources.
SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION RESOURCES
SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION RESOURCES
Below are resources to support districts and schools with suicide prevention and intervention.
Developing a Comprehensive School Suicide Prevention Program – Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Comprehensive School Suicide Prevention in a Time of Distance Learning – National Association of School Psychologists
Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Be Present Ohio is a website for teens and young adults focused on self-care skills for managing tough situations and tools for supporting friends.
Life Is Better with You Here is a suicide prevention and mental health campaign geared toward Black males.
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation provides programs and trainings to increase suicide awareness and prevention. Find information on the following trainings: QPR Gatekeeper Trainings for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid, Working Minds: Suicide Prevention in the Work Place
HELP LINES
HELP LINES
Ohio Crisis Text Line: Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor within five minutes.
Ohio CareLine: 1-800-720-9619 — The Ohio CareLine is a toll-free emotional support call service created by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and administered in community settings. Behavioral health professionals staff the CareLine 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They offer confidential support in times of personal or family crisis when individuals may be struggling to cope with challenges in their lives. When callers need additional services, staff will provide assistance and connect callers to local providers.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project Get Help Now: The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth. Those needing help can contact the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386; chat online through the website; or text Start to 678-678.
Visit these websites for additional resources:
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