Overview

• Behavioral Interventions

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http://www.afsp.org/preventing-suicide

As suicide rates continue to rise, AFSP is increasing its investment in the evidenced-based research and programs that will help us to better understand and prevent suicide.

Through our programs, we have taken a leadership role in identifying and encouraging into treatment people who have the highest risk for suicide. We educate the public by disseminating vital information about suicide and its prevention, mobilize a national network of grassroots advocates who alert officials to policies and legislation that can help to prevent suicide, and reach out to those who have lost someone to suicide to offer support and opportunities to get involved in our work.

Beyond these programs, AFSP is the leading private supporter of suicide research. We have funded almost $20 million in scientific investigations on the causes and prevention of suicide, and the treatment of those at risk for suicide. We continue to fund new studies into the genetic, neurobiological and behavioral factors that contribute to suicide, and into testing interventions aimed at reducing suicidal behavior and suicide deaths. We are currently completing a landmark bereavement study on treating complicated grief among survivors of suicide loss. Looking toward the future, we are engaged in a strategic review of how to best maximize the impact of our research.

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicideprevention.aspx

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between 10 and 19 years of age. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority—and are empowered to take the correct actions—we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.

Certain characteristics are associated with increased suicide risk. These include:

• Mental illness including depression, conduct disorders, and substance abuse.

• Family stress/dysfunction.

• Environmental risks, including presence of a firearm in the home.

• Situational crises (i.e., traumatic death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, family violence, etc.).

Many suicidal youth demonstrate observable behaviors that signal their suicidal thinking. These include:

• Suicidal threats in the form of direct and indirect statements.

• Suicide notes and plans.

• Prior suicidal behavior.

• Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions).

• Preoccupation with death.

• Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings.

Youth who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly; however, parents, school personnel, and peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep the youth safe. When a youth gives signs that they may be considering suicide, the following actions should be taken:

• Remain calm.

• Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide.

• Focus on your concern for their wellbeing and avoid being accusatory.

• Listen.

• Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.

• Do not judge.

• Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the youth alone.

• Remove means for self-harm.

• Get help: Peers should not agree to keep the suicidal thoughts a secret and instead should tell an adult, such as a parent, teacher, or school psychologist. Parents should seek help from school or community mental health resources as soon as possible. School staff should take the student to the designated school mental health professional or administrator.

Children and adolescents spend a substantial part of their day in school under the supervision of school personnel. Effective suicide and violence prevention is integrated with supportive mental health services, engages the entire school community, and is imbedded in a positive school climate through student behavioral expectations and a trustful student/adult relationship. Therefore, it is crucial for all school staff to be familiar with and watchful for risk factors and warning signs of suicidal behavior. The entire school staff should work to create an environment where students feel safe sharing such information. School psychologists and other crisis team personnel, including the school counselor and school administrator, are trained to intervene when a student is identified at risk for suicide. These individuals conduct suicide risk assessment, warn/inform parents, provide recommendations and referrals to community services, and often provide follow up counseling and support at school.

Parental Notification and Participation

Parent notification is a vital part of suicide prevention. Parents need to be informed and actively involved in decisions regarding their child’s welfare. Even if a child is judged to be at low risk for suicidal behavior, schools will ask parents to sign a Notification of Emergency Conference form to indicate that relevant information has been provided. These notifications must be documented. Additionally, parents are crucial members of a suicide risk assessment as they often have information critical to making an appropriate assessment of risk, including mental health history, family dynamics, recent traumatic events, and previous suicidal behaviors.

After a school notifies a parent of their child’s risk for suicide and provides referral information, the responsibility falls upon the parent to seek mental health assistance for their child. Parents must:

• Continue to take threats seriously: Follow through is important even after the child calms down or informs the parent “they didn’t mean it.” Avoid assuming behavior is attention seeking.

• Access school supports: If parents are uncomfortable with following through on referrals, they can give the school psychologist permission to contact the referral agency, provide referral information, and follow up on the visit. The school can also assist in providing transportation to get the parent and child to the referral agency.

• Maintain communication with the school. After such an intervention, the school will also provide follow-up supports. Your communication will be crucial to ensuring that the school is the safest, most comfortable place for your child.

The presence of resiliency factors can lessen the potential of risk factors to lead to suicidal ideation and behaviors. Once a child or adolescent is considered at risk, schools, families, and friends should work to build these factors in and around the youth. These include:

• Family support and cohesion, including good communication.

• Peer support and close social networks.

• School and community connectedness.

• Cultural or religious beliefs that discourage suicide and promote healthy living.

• Adaptive coping and problem-solving skills, including conflict-resolution.

• General life satisfaction, good self-esteem, sense of purpose.

• Easy access to effective medical and mental health resources.

NASP has a number of resources available to assist families and educators in preventing youth suicide. These can be accessed at www.nasponline.org. AdditionallyNASP has published numerous chapters that relate directly to this topic. Information can be found on the NASP website.

Suggested Resources

Save a Friend: Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/savefriend_general.aspx

Times of Tragedy: Preventing Suicide in Troubled Children and Youth, Part I http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicidept1_general.aspx

National Association of Secondary School Principals, “Taking the Lead on Suicide Prevention and Intervention in the Schools.” It will be posted at www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/index.aspx. This will be a helpful resource to share with your school administrators.

American Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, www.aacap.org

American Association of Suicidology, http://www.suicidology.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), www.dbsalliance.org

Light for Life Program, http://www.yellowribbon.org/

National Institute of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Resources, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml

National Mental Health Association, www.nmha.org

S.O.S High School Suicide Prevention Program, http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/highschool/

Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education (SAVE), www.save.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Strategy on Suicide Prevention,http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/

http://www.sptsusa.org/

The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, Inc. (SPTS) is committed to reducing the number of youth suicides and attempted suicides by encouraging public awareness through educational training programs. Through our passionate commitment to the value of life, SPTS has based its philosophy in the effectiveness of evidence-based and Best Practices suicide prevention strategies, all while upholding a dedication to removing public stigma about suicide and the conviction that accurate information and education can save lives.

SPTS, together with suicide prevention expert Maureen Underwood, LCSW developed several Best Practices resources for both teachers and parents. Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention is free, online, interactive 2-hour suicide prevention training. Since introducing the course in 2008, over 67,000 users across the country completed the training. Lifelines Trilogy, a comprehensive school based curriculum that focuses on the 'competent community' model.

The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide stands by its mission to offer suicide prevention awareness resources and training to teachers and parents who interact with our nation's youth on a daily basis. While not a crisis-intervention resource itself, SPTS is dedicated to helping those who need it most - before they reach the point of crisis. Education and awareness regarding suicide risks and what roles parents and educators play as both a 'trusted adult' and in the 'competent community' model, is what differentiates us from other organizations. From in-person trainings, to informational parent presentations, to youth survivor support group trainings for communities, SPTS continues to put itself on the frontlines of youth suicide prevention and ultimately, save teens.

http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/Families.pdf

This sheet lists a selection of websites and online information sheets that have suicide prevention resources for parents,  guardians, and other family members. The resources provide  guidance on talking with your child if you think he or she may  be at risk for suicide and on coping with a suicide attempt or  death. A few of the resources also discuss how you can take  action at the school and community levels to prevent suicide.

The EAP is a free and confidential program designed to help employees deal effectively with personal problems that might be having a negative effect on their job performance like: divorce/separation, financial difficulties, spouse abuse, addiction, medical, parent/child conflict, educational needs, and a wide array of other issues.

Contact Information:

Phone (910) 223-7114

Toll-Free 1-888-553-8327

KV Consultants & Associates, Inc.

Mental Health Provider List 2023-2024