Suicide Awareness

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Suicide Awareness

• Your name here!

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Definition of Suicide

• Suicide is a conscious act of self-induced
  annihilation, best understood as a
  multidimensional malaise in a needful individual
  who defines an issue for which the suicide is
  perceived as the best solution.
• Dr. Ed Shneidman, Psychache, 1993

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Startling Statistics2005 data

• One suicide every 16.1 minutes
• 11th ranking cause of death in the US
• 816,000 suicide attempts every year
• 5 million living Americans have attempted suicide
• Each suicide affects at least 6 people intimately
• Firearms used in 52 of suicides

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Frequency of US suicides
One Suicide every 16 minutes
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Scope of the Problem2005 data

• 2005 Suicides 32,637
• Unreported - 10 3,264
• Total 2005 35,901
• Non-fatal (1001) 3,590,100
• otal 3,626,001
• Those affected (61) 21,756,006
• Total impacted 25,382,007

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Suicide DemographicsGender

Femalemale ratio is 14 for completed suicide
Femalemale ratio is 31 for attempted suicide
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Motivations for Suicide

• Loss or change in an important relationship
• To avoid or end perceived pain
• Escape intolerable situation
• Gain attention
• Manipulate/punish others
• Punish self
• Become a martyr

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Common myths aboutSuicide

• Happens without warning
• Low risk after mood improvement
• Once suicidal, always suicidal
• Intent on dying
• So rare, they wont do it
• Runs in the family
• No note gt no suicide

Dont mention suicide
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Direct Verbal Clues

• Im going to kill myself
• I wish I were dead
• Youd be better off without me
• I might as well be dead
• If doesnt happen, Im going to end it
• Im going to commit suicide

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Indirect Verbal Clues

• I cant go on any longer Im taking the plunge
• We all have to say goodbye sometime
• Nobody needs me anymore Im
  tired of life
• You wont be seeing me any more
• Life has lost meaning for me I cant take
  it any more
• Youd be better off without me
• I cant take the pain Eat my gun
• Youre going to regret how you treated me
• Cash in my chips Fold my hand

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Indirect Suicide IndicatorsClues.... Clues....
Clues....

• Buying a weapon
• Giving away possessions
• Making a will
• Talking about a long trip
• Taking unusual risks
• Changes in personality
• The practice run
• Sudden religious interest/ disinterest
• Substance abuse relapse

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Major Predictors ofSuicidal Behavior

• How
• Specificity of their plan
• Availability of means
• Lethality of method
• History
• A prior suicide attempt
• A family history of suicide behaviors
• Help
• Resources available

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Important Questions

• Have you been thinking of hurting or killing
  yourself?
• When did you last think about suicide?
• How would you kill yourself?
• Do you have the means available?
• Have you ever attempted suicide?
• Has anyone in your family attempted or completed
  suicide?
• What are the odds that you will kill yourself?
• What has been keeping you alive so far?
• What do you think the future holds in store for
  you?

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Striking a Balance
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Dos of Intervention

• Remain calm
• Accept their feelings
• Rephrase thoughts
• Focus on central issue
• Stay close
• Emphasize temporary
• nature of problem
• Explore resources

Listen Listen Listen
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Donts of Intervention

• Dont overlook signs
• Dont sound shocked
• Dont offer empty promises
• Dont try to cheer him/her up
• Dont debate morality
• Dont assume things will improve
• Dont leave person alone
• Dont keep it a secret
• Dont remain the ONLY person helping

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AID LIFE

• Ask
• Intervene immediately
• Dont keep it a secret
• Locate help
• Inform
• Find
• Expedite

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National Hotline
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Barricades to Seeking Help

• Denial
• Avoidance
• Anger
• Fear seeking help will impact job
• Fear chain of command or supervisor will be
  contacted
• Fear hospitalization, being stigmatized

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Daniel W. Clark, Ph.D.

• Critical Concepts Consulting
• 2103 Harrison Avenue NW
• 2183
• Olympia, WA 98502-2607
• (360)-786-0292
• drdan_at_criticalconcepts.org

• Washington State Patrol
• 1405 Harrison Ave NW
• Suite 205
• Olympia, WA 98502
• (360)-586-8492
• wsp-psych_at_att.net

Critical Concepts Consulting
Web site CriticalConcepts.org