According to the CDC, suicide rates have increased by 30% since 1999. Nearly 45,000 lives were lost to suicide in 2016 alone. Comments or thoughts about suicide — also known as suicidal ideation — can begin small like, “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Nothing matters.” But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous. Research has found that 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition.
How does NH-V address the topic of suicide in school?
One of our most important initiatives is the Lifelines Suicide Prevention Program which is produced by the Hazelden Foundation in conjunction with the NJ Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. This comprehensive curriculum is for our school’s administrators, staff, parents and students! Voorhees has been given the distinction of being a national pilot school for the complete intervention program which has been a mainstay of the Student Assistance Program since 2009.
Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior
"FACTS" - Taken from the Lifelines Curriculum
Feelings
Hopelessness: feeling like things are bad and won’t get any better
Fear of losing control, going crazy, harming himself/herself or others
Helplessness: a belief that there’s nothing that can be done to make life better
Worthlessness: feeling like an awful person and that people would be better off
If he/she were dead
Hating himself/herself, feeling guilty or ashamed
Being extremely sad and lonely
Feeling anxious, worried, or angry all the time
Actions
Drug or alcohol abuse
Talking or writing about death or destruction
Aggression: getting into fights or having arguments with other people
Recklessness: doing risky or dangerous things
Changes
Personality: behaving like a different person, becoming withdrawn, tired all the time, not caring about anything, or becoming more talkative or outgoing
Behavior: can’t concentrate on school or regular tasks
Sleeping pattern: sleeping all the time or not being able to sleep at all, or waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep
Eating habits: loss of appetite and/or overeating and gaining weight
Losing interest in friends, hobbies, and appearance or in activities or sports previously enjoyed
Sudden improvement after a period of being down or withdrawn
Threats
Statements like “How long does it take to bleed to death?”
Threats like “I won’t be around much longer” or “Don’t tell anyone else . . . you won’t be my friend if you tell!”
Plans like giving away favorite things, studying about ways to die, obtaining a weapon or a stash of pills: the risk is very high if a person has a plan and the way to do it.
Suicide attempts like overdosing, wrist cutting
Situations
Getting into trouble at school, at home, or with the law
Recent loss through death, divorce, or separation; the breakup of a relationship; losing an opportunity or a dream; losing self-esteem
Changes in life that feel overwhelming
Being exposed to suicide or the death of a peer under any circumstances
Lifelines: A Suicide Prevention Program
A Workshop for Parents-This program is taught to all students in the NH-V district during freshman health with follow up content taught in grades 10-12.
The goal of the overall Lifelines program is to promote a caring, competent school community in which help-seeking is encouraged and modeled and suicidal behavior is recognized as an issue that cannot be kept secret. Lifelines aims to increase the likelihood that school staff and students will be able and willing to identify at-risk youth when they encounter them, provide an appropriate initial response, and obtain help.
Lifelines Parent Information (1).pdfCopy of Lifelines Parent Presentation.pptxWhat can I do to help?
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted adult such as; a parent/guardian, school counselor, student assistance counselor, teacher, coach, or any mental health professional.
ASK
Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
Don't be afraid to ask the tough question. If somebody you know is in emotional pain, just ask them directly, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
KEEP THEM SAFE
A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
Ask if they've also thought about how they would do it. Separate them from anything they are thinking of using to hurt themselves.
BE THERE
Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
Listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain. Listen without judgement and with compassion and empathy.
HELP THEM STAY CONNECTED
Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
Help your friend connect to a support system so they have others to reach out to for help. This could be a combination of family, friends, counselors, teachers, coaches or any suicide prevention hotline.
FOLLOW UP
Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
Making contact with a friend in the days and weeks after a crisis can make a difference in keeping them alive. Check in with the person you care about on a regular basis.
LEARN MORE
Get message kits, resources, events and more at the official website.