SUICIDE PREVENTION. Cassandra Ward, LCPC. Erikson Institute Center for Children and Families

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1 SUICIDE PREVENTION Cassandra Ward, LCPC Erikson Institute Center for Children and Families

2 Overview of Today s Presentation Introduction CCF s School Mental Health Project What is Suicide What is Mental Illness What is Depression Possible Signs of Depression in Children and Adolescents Risk Factors Common Myths

3 Who We Are And What We Do Clinicians at The Erikson Institute Center for Children and Families (CCF) Erikson Institute is a Graduate School in Early Child Development At CCF, we provide interdisciplinary assessments to children birth through age 8 Provide parent-child psychotherapy for same age group School based mental health program

4 CCF s School Mental Health Project Our work in the schools focuses on creating relationships through the following: Work with individual children Consultation with teachers to support individual work with children Collaboration with parents, teacher and administration Teacher Cafes Parent Café Pyramid of support and results These services are provided in two CPS elementary schools in the Austin neighborhood on the west side of Chicago. Services are provided for children and teachers in grades Pre K through 3 rd grade

5 What is Suicide? Suicide is the act of killing yourself, most often as a result of depression or other mental illness Suicide is the 3 rd leading cause of death in youth ages % of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness

6 What is Mental Illness Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Mental illness is the leading risk factor for suicide.

7 What is Depression Depression is defined as an illness when the feelings of depression persist and interfere with a child or adolescent s ability to function. The behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from the behavior of depressed adults.

8 Possible signs of Depression in Children and Adolescents Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities Hopelessness Persistent boredom; low energy Social isolation, poor communication Low self esteem and guilt Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure Increased irritability, anger, or hostility

9 Possible signs of Depression in Children and Adolescents Continued Difficulty with relationships Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school Poor concentration A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns Talk of or efforts to run away from home Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self destructive behavior

10 Additional Risk Factors Disciplinary problems Family violence Community Violence Sexual orientation confusion Physical and sexual abuse Being the victim of bullying Recent Loss through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship Self-Esteem

11 Additional Risk Factors Continued Aggression and Fighting Recent research has identified a connection between interpersonal violence and suicide. Suicide is associated with fighting for both males and females, across all ethnic groups, and for youth living in urban, suburban, and rural areas. School Environment Youth who are struggling with classes, perceive their teachers as not understanding them or caring about them, or have poor relationships with their peers have increased vulnerability

12 Additional Risk Factors Continued Suicide threats are not always verbal. Text messages Social networks Twitter Essays, writing about death Poems about death Artwork, drawings depicting death

13 Common Myths People who talk about suicide won t really do it. False: Almost everyone who attempts or completes suicide has given warning signs through their words or behaviors. Do not ignore any suicide threats. Statements like You ll be sorry when I m dead or I wish I was dead no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings. If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop him/her. False: Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last moment between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want to die; they want the pain to stop. The impulse to end their life, however overpowering, does not last forever.

14 Common Myths Continued Talking about suicide may give someone the idea. False: You do not give a person ideas about suicide by talking about it. The opposite is true. If a person is depressed or unhappy, discussing their feelings openly and allowing them to express how they feel is one of the most helpful things you can do. Even if they have had suicidal thoughts, giving them permission to express those thoughts can relieve some of the anxiety and provide an avenue to recognize other ways to escape their pain and sadness. People who attempt suicide and do not complete suicide are just trying to get attention and are not really serious. False: To a certain degree, they are trying to get attention and help for the pain that they are experiencing. A suicide attempt, even half-hearted, is an attempt to seek help. If the person perceives their action to be a suicide attempt, then that is what it is. Any attempt, regardless of severity, must be taken seriously and help must be sought for the individual.

15 What can Staff do to Help Connect with the children Talk to them about any sadness or other disruptive behavior you observe Contact the parent (s) and provide a resource to a mental health provider Familiarize yourself with the warning signs Know and follow CPS or Your School s District Crisis Management Manual Policy and Procedures. The following link is for CPS Crisis Management Manual And Remember You may be the first and last person to see the warning signs we have spoken about in a young person