Y ELLOW R IBBON - PowerPoint Presentation

Y ELLOW RIBBON Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training for SCHOOL and COMMUNITY

Natural disasters like Katrina and man-made events such as 9/11 and school suicide-related incidents have taught us that it is vital to be prepared. Through Readiness & Preparedness: Planning Preparedness Readiness 2 (1 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention ) Suicide is Preventable 1 YOU can make a difference as a Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper, the trusted adult or helper! Through Awareness &Training: A sk 4 H elp ! B e L ink ! 

Jason Flatt Act (SB 323)Requires each school district to provide at least one hour of training each calendar year to all school staff. A building crisis plan including steps for recognizing suicide ideation, appropriate methods of interventions, and a crisis recovery plan. Requires each school district to notify parents or legal guardians of students that the training materials are available. State Board to adopt rules and regulations necessary by January 1, 2017.

4The Terminology of Suicide The Facts about Suicide The Myths about SuicideThe Elements of SuicideRisk Factors Warning SignsProtective Measures Summary of the Training © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org

The Community Trained about Suicide5 Lack of availability of trained mental health professionals, and/orContinued magnitude of an event(s) creates a need for Community members (citizens) trained in basic suicide prevention to fill the gap, provide support & help. (Citizens Emergency Response Training concept) (C.E.R.T.) © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org

New High Risk Group Survivor of Suicide Loss Suicide Attempt Survivor The Terminology of Suicide Committed / Successful Suicide 6 Helps reduce stigma and raise awareness Died by suicide Failed Attempt Attempted © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org

Not uncommon for teens to think about suicide. One in five teens in the US seriously consider suicide. (APA 2010) Second leading cause of death for ages 15-24. (AAS, 2013)25% of teachers have been approached by teens who were at risk of suicide . (CDPHE 2006) Every 108 minutes we lose a teen to suicide The Facts About Suicide 41,149 total deaths, 4,878 ages 15-24 (AAS 2013) 7 © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org

Statistics on SuicideUnited States 41,149 reported suicides13 suicides per 100,000 population77.9% of all deaths by suicide are male 51.5% of all reported suicides were by firearm Kansas454 reported suicides15.7 suicides per 100,000 population78.6% of all deaths by suicide are male 1 person dies by suicide every 20 hours in KSSecond leading cause of death for Youth ages 15-24

The Myths about Suicide Talking About Suicide Won’t Spur Thoughts. It may allow them to unburden themselves. 1) AMA 2) Columbia Univ. 9 Suicidal people want to die They often call for help immediately following a suicide attempt . (NAMI) Suicide isn’t chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain. (David L. Conroy , Ph.D ) Do Alcohol/ drugs impact suicide? Over 50% of youth who die by suicide are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. (APA) © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org© Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program – www.yellowribbon.org

Doing Prevention in the Postvention* time Prevention CAN be successfully done in the Postvention Time. Risk factors can be increased and it is important to help survivors and to address contagion. (Centers for Disease Control, Nat’l Strategy for Suicide Prevention) The Myths about Suicide 10 * Prevention strategies/actions taken after suicide(s)/attempt(s) in a community. By contrast, not talking about suicide may send a false signal that you don’t care © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program -- www.yellowribbon.org © Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program – www.yellowribbon.org

Protective Measures buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behaviors. (Centers for Disease Control) The Elements of Suicide 11 Risk Factors are markers; events and situations that can impact a person’s ability to cope with life Warning Signs are observable clues , changes in behavior

* Teenage Stressors Risk Factors* 12Peers  Bullying  Drugs or Alcohol  Breakup  Sexual abuse School Related Issues  New school  Falling Grades  Being Bullied  Internet Family Pressures  Divorce  Family Conflict  Money  Death  Abuse - Neglect Discrimination – Bullying  Being excluded  Teased  Sexual orientation/Gender identity A primary Risk Factor is a previous attempt.

Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims. (Studies by Yale University)Nearly 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying (Statistics reported by ABC News) Bully-related suicide can be connected to any type of bullying, including physical, emotional, cyber bullying, and sexting, or circulating suggestive or nude photos or messages about a person. (bullyingstatistics.org) * Teenage StressorsRisk Factors* Bullying 13 Connection with suicide attempts/deaths

Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself,or talking of wanting to hurt or kill themselves. Someone seeking access to firearms, pills, other lethal means. (American Association of Suicidology) Warning Signs 14 85% of suicidal people have given warning signs. Someone talking/writing/drawing about death, dying or suicide. Warning Signs – Get Help Immediately

Warning Signs 15 Warning Signs – Seek Help as soon as possible Withdrawing from friends, family & society Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities Giving away prized/special possessions Increasing alcohol/drug use Anxiety, unable to sleep or sleep all the time Dramatic mood change (low to high or high to low) Rage, uncontrolled anger (girls get sad, boys get mad ) Verbal cues “ Nobody needs me” “Better off without me”

The more warning signs shown, and risk factors present, the higher the risk. Warning Signs/Risk Factors 16 Help! STACKING: Often, what appears to be a singular, external pressure or occurrence is merely “the last straw” when added to ongoing stressors, depression and/or hopelessness. Suicide is the result of long-term ‘wearing-away’, an ‘erosion’ of a person’s ability to cope.

What Can We Do? Friends CAN help! As with First Aid and CPR, our actions can be lifesaving! (* British Journal of General Practice) 17 Protective Factors Learn and use protective measures, factors that buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Adults often don’t talk about suicide/suicide prevention, however youth are willing to learn lifeskills and take action and help. It was youth who took action and helped start this program after the death of a friend and loved one. Words said by his family to his friends, “Please don’t do this”, “Please ask for help”, became the message and were put on slips of bright yellow paper. Protective Measures 18 Yellow Ribbon Lifeskill

Teens pinned yellow ribbons on the papers, shared them at his service and mailed them “everywhere”. Within three weeks, word came of a girl who gave that slip of paper (the Ask4Help!® Card) to her teacher and asked for help. The ripple effect had begun… For their friend who was known for his bright yellow 1968 Ford Mustang he had rebuilt . 19 Protective Measures Yellow Ribbon Lifeskill Why Yellow?

Don’t have to have a card to ask for help!To GET HELP Lifeskill…. The Ask 4 Help!® Card Protective Measures20 Is a tool that helps someone Ask 4 Help for themselves or for a friend – it starts the conversation And a tool to know how to respond if you are asked for help.

To GIVE HELP1 - STAY with the person Unless there is risk of harm for yourself. You are that person’s lifeline 2 - LISTEN, really listen Take them seriously. 3 - GET , or call, HELP immediately Don’t keep the secret Protective Measures 21 Lifeskill…. The Ask 4 Help! ® Card

91% of teenagers surveyed indicated they would first tell a friend of their suicidal thoughts (Ross, 1985).80% of suicidal individuals give verbal or behavioral clues of their intentions. (Poland, 1989). Why the Ask 4 Help! Card… Protective Measures 22 Starts the conversation to Get Help to Give Help

Who goes to Trusted Help(er): Your trusted friend Your clergy / counselor Their clergy / counselor Support persons @ work Community Mental Health Family Doctor Contact in your School Counselor, Psychologist Crisis Team . Peer/friend goes to : Trusted Adult Parent Grandparent Clergy Teacher Bus Driver Counselor Friend Family Doctor Steps to Help (Protocol) Protective Measures 23 Teen/person in need goes to a friend

BREATHE! Be genuine and caring. Don’t lie or make promises you can’t keep Tell them: “I am glad you called/came/talked to me”. “I do care, what’s happening in your life”. “How can I help”. “Let’s find someone who can help you get through this”. How to Respond to a Cry for Help 24 Have a caring conversation , not a clinical assessment. Protective Measures

25 How to Respond to a Cry for Help The ‘What if…’ questions Don’t analyze, you don’t have to determine the level of risk. Contact appropriate person on Steps to Help (protocol list).  They are ‘just looking for attention?  A student gives me a card/says goodbye as they leave? Don’t wait! U se the steps to help (school protocol) to contact someone to follow up with the person (student).  A colleague tells me they are suicidal? They trust you – let them know you care and will help them get help. Offer to make call or take them to help. Stay with them! Protective Measures

Do Be aware, supportive and positive Be non-judgmental and reassuring Give them your attention Don’t Leave them alone Be glib or dismissing of the problem Try to solve the problem, your role is to be a link (use your school’s protocol) 26 How to Respond to a Cry for Help Protective Measures (John McIntosh, Ph.D. 2001)

Talking with your own Teen/YouthYou already teach them lifeskills They are accustomed to learning from youTalking about suicide won’t plant the ideaIf you don’t talk to them, who will? Parents CAN make a difference! Talk to your kids to establish that they can talk to you! And t o establish a baseline of their understanding and their knowledge. 27 Protective Factors

Talking with your own Teen/Youth Parents CAN make a difference!28 Protective Factors Preparation steps before you talk… Identify your resources Identify a “buddy” you can call Review questions on next slide Remember to say the “S” word Choose an appropriate time to talk

Talking with your own Teen/Youth Show them the Ask4Help!® card Tell what you’ve learned today ASK them: “ Do you know about the YR program ?” “ Do you know anyone who has talked of suicide?” “ Do you know anyone who has attempted suicide?” “Have you ever thought of attempting suicide?” “What can I do to Help ? “We are in this together” 29 Protective Measures

Wear / Display the Yellow Ribbon symbol Annual Trainings for Professionals 30 Protective Measures Continued Prevention IS Protective… Keep A4H Cards Available Participate in Annual YR Week Annual Trainings for Community Annual Trainings for New Teachers and New Students

It Just Takes One To Make A Difference! 1 Card Sent – 1 Girl – 1 Teacher – LIFE! “The Yellow Ribbon Card has no expiration date!” Stan Collins, Past President, IYC in testimony to U.S. Senate subcommittee 2001 Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program - www.yellowribbon.org. ~ 303.429.3530 31

32YELLOW R IBBON Review

33A. Black & white & read all over...D. A hairdresser... C. For tying Mayday baskets B. Suicide Prevention Program...B. Suicide Prevention Program... Yellow Ribbon is…..

34A. Treats People Who Have Mental Illness D. Is A Good Way To Save livesC. Uses the Yellow Ribbon Card and Forms a Community Safety NetB. Has Active Youth Clubs in Some Schools A. Treats People Who Have Mental Illness All of these apply to the YR Program EXCEPT:

35A. LibrariesB. National Institute of Mental Health C. Yellow Ribbon Classroom PresentationsD. Your car mechanic D. Your car mechanicAll are good places to learn about Suicide Prevention EXCEPT.

36A. Are Crazy B. Wear funny hats C. Have a Treatable Brain IllnessD. Are Violent People This best describes people with Mental Illness.C. Have a Treatable Brain Illness

37A. Stay With them - Till They Get help D. Listen - Giving Them Your Full AttentionC. Tell An AdultIf a friend tells you they are thinking about suicide - which of these should you NOT do? B. Don’t Tell AnyoneB. Don’t Tell Anyone

38A. Being first born in a family C. Being femaleD. Chemical use B. GeneticsAll of these are risk factors for known Depression EXCEPT?A. Being first born in a family

39C. Youth Ages 10 -14 B. Young People - Ages 15 - 24 D. Computer TechsA. White Males over the Age of 65This group has the fastest growing rate of suicide today. C. Youth Ages 10 -14

40A. StayD. Listen B. Get Help C. Keep A SecretC. Keep A Secret If someone asks for your help by giving you a YR card – what would you NOT do?

41C. Taking your dog for a walk B. Making Suicidal Statements D. Hanging out at the mall A. Being a Teen-ager Which is a Warning Sign of suicide?B. Making Suicidal Statements

42All of these are ways to be part of the Yellow Ribbon Program except: A. Keep your Yellow Ribbon card on your person.B. Give a Yellow Ribbon card to all your family membersC. Be in a youth club at your school D. Throw your Yellow Ribbon card in the garbage D. Throw your Yellow Ribbon card in the garbage

43Which are good ways to treat Depression: A. Medication B. Talk TherapyC. Stress Management TechniquesD. All of theseD. All of these

44Which one of these is NOT something the Yellow Ribbon Program does: A. Education B. AwarenessC. Have fun D. Counseling or TherapyD. Counseling or Therapy

45D. It’s a crisis, call for help. C. Keep it a secret B. Play basketballA. Get a good night’s sleep, call the doctor in the morning.When a person is suicidal, what should we do?D. It’s a crisis, call for help.

46Which one of these community people can help if I need to use my Yellow Ribbon Card? A. Football Coach B. MinisterE. Police Officer F. All of the AboveC. My big sister or brotherD. Classmate F. All of the Above

47All of these are signs of depression except: A. Sleeping too much C. Falling gradesB. Texting your friends every night D. Sleeping too littleB. Texting your friends every night

48Which of the following is true? A. Talking about suicide may cause someone to try itC. Every suicide threat must be taken seriously B. A suicidal person wants to die and no one can stop themD. Suicidal people keep their plans a secret C. Every suicide threat must be taken seriously

49Which is NOT a warning sign of suicide? A. Statements of hopelessnessC. Eating lots of candy B. Talk of suicide, then happier or calmerC. Eating lots of candy D. Writing a will or suicide note

50Which is NOT a Risk Factor for Suicide? A. Previous suicide attemptC. Substance Abuse B. Having your picture takenD. DepressionB. Having your picture taken

51Which one does Yellow Ribbon NOT do? A. Train everyone D. Partner with local professionalsB. A Community based, public health approachC. Make people richC. Make people rich

52How do you talk to your teen (parent) about suicide? A. Turn off the T.V. D. Turn off the cell phone B. Show them the YR CardC. Ask if they have ever thought about suicideE. All of the above E. All of the above

53Which is NOT a warning sign of suicide? A. Giving Away Prized PossessionsB. Making suicidal statements D. Abrupt change in personalityC. Skipping school to go to a football game.C. Skipping school to go to a football game.

54If you think a friend is thinking about suicide you should. D. All of the above A. Ask them directlyB. Tell a trusted adult C. Call the Crisis Line listed on the Yellow Ribbon cardD. All of the above

YELLOW RIBBON Suicide Prevention Program® PO Box 644, Westminster, CO 80036303-429-3530 ~ www.yellowribbon.org 55 YELLOW RIBBON Teen Program GAME Created by Pat Shortall, R.N. Yellow Ribbon of Minnesota

Y ELLOW RIBBON Suicide Prevention ProgramPO Box 644Westminster, CO 80036 303-429-3530 www.yellowribbon.org