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Suicide is one of the toughest tragedies students, staff, and the school system has to face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth 15-24 years of age and the 3rd leading cause for 10-14 year olds in the United States. On average, two Wake County students every year die by suicide. It has a lingering effect on a community. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, all of us have a role in trying to protect our students, our children.
Trained school staff work daily to prevent suicide by identifying and assisting students who show warning signs or risk factors, which can include depression, mental health concerns, or thoughts of suicide. WCPSS professionals screen identified students, notify parents/guardians, and connect them with community services when appropriate to address their needs. We watch, we listen, we understand, and we do it without judgement. We never want suicide to be the solution to a student’s problems.
National mental health experts created this list of youth suicide warning signs. Read it. Recognize the red flags. Know what to do.
Youth Suicide Warning Signs
Talking about or making plans for suicide
Expressing hopelessness about the future
Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress
Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, particularly in the presence of the warning signs above.
Withdrawal from or changing in social connections/situations
Changes in sleep (increased or decreased)
Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context
Recent increased agitation or irritability
If you notice any of these warning signs in anyone, you can help!
Ask if they are ok or if they are having thoughts of suicide
Express your concern about what you are observing in their behavior
Listen attentively and non-judgmentally
Reflect what they share and let them know they have been heard
Tell them they are not alone and don’t leave them alone
Let them know there are treatments available that can help
If you are or they are concerned, guide them to additional professional help
Don’t think it can’t happen to you. More than one in 10 high school students have attempted to die by suicide. Don’t try to fix the problem on your own. Get expert help through a teacher, a counselor, or a medical or mental health professional. Please contact your child’s school and ask for assistance. If your needs are immediate, contact 911.
We don’t want to lose any students to suicide. We all need to work together and pay attention to our children, in the hopes of helping them and keeping them safe.
Signs Of Suicide (SOS):
Student Services teams with the Health & Physical Education department to teach the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program during Health & Physical Education classes as a part of the NC Essential Standards (Mental and Emotional Health). SOS is an award-winning, nationally recognized program designed for middle and high school-age students. The program teaches students how to identify the symptoms of depression and suicidality in themselves or their friends, and encourages help-seeking through the use of the ACT®technique (Acknowledge, Care, Tell).
The SOS High School Program is the only school-based suicide prevention program listed on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts.
SOS Aims:
To help students understand that depression is a treatable illness.
To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression.
To train students in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidal thoughts in a friend.
To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.
Warning Signs for Suicide:
Verbal or written threats of suicide
Changes in personality
Previous suicide attempts
Sleep disturbances
Changes in eating habits
Drop in school performance
Use of drugs or alcohol
Giving away possessions
Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
Themes of suicide, death, or depression in essays
Withdrawal from family, friends, or prior or artwork interests
For more detailed information, click here
What to Do:
Listen and express concern in a nonjudgmental way.
Show that you care.
Take action—get them connected with professional help.
Take suicide threats seriously.
Ask questions openly (“Do you have a plan to hurt yourself?”).
Stay with them until you can get them with an adult or a professional. (“Will you talk to someone who can help?”). If yoD here to learn how to report suicidal users on Facebook
What Not To Do:
Do not keep threats a secret.
Do not leave the friend alone.
Do not think this is a joke.
Do not try to be a therapist. Tell a trusted adult.
Don’t Wait… time plays an important role in saving a life.
Below are local and national resources on depression and suicide prevention:
National Suicide Hotline (24 hours)
1-800-TALK Lifeline (24 hours):
1-800-273-8255 www.itsok2ask.com/
Hopeline
Over the phone crisis counseling and suicide intervention
24 Hour Crisis Line: (919) 231-4525
Holly Hill Hospital
Emergency mental health services
24 Hour Crisis Line: (919) 250-7000
UNC Crisis and Assessment (young children)
Emergency mental health services (located in Chapel Hill)
Crisis Line: (919) 966-4131
Strategic Behavioral Center (ages 12-17)
Emergency mental health services
24 Hour Crisis Line: (919) 800-4400
UNC Crisis and Assessment at WakeBrook
Emergency mental health services (located in Raleigh)
24 Hour Crisis Line: (984) 974-4830
Alliance Behavioral Health
Mental Health options
phone: (919) 651-8500 (8:30-5:15 M-F)
Therapeutic Alternatives, Inc.
Mobile Crisis Service for adults and children
24 hour Crisis Line: 1-877-626-1772
Mobile Unit: 919-799-0701
American Association of Suicidology
www.suicidology.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
www.afsp.org
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