SUICIDE SUICIDE

A permanent solution A permanent solution

to a to a

temporary problem.temporary problem.

SUICIDE STATISTICSSUICIDE STATISTICS

What do you think the top leading causes What do you think the top leading causes of death are for your age group (5-24)?of death are for your age group (5-24)?11stst AccidentsAccidents22ndnd HomicideHomicide33rdrd leading cause of death in PA for young leading cause of death in PA for young people between ages of 15-24 people between ages of 15-24 SUICIDESUICIDE

--224224 in PA 2010 in PA 2010 PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

--180180 in PA 2009 in PA 2009 (PA Department of Health)(PA Department of Health)

*THERE IS *THERE IS ALWAYSALWAYS ANOTHER OPTION ANOTHER OPTION

Suicide StatisticsSuicide Statistics Females attempt Females attempt suicide suicide 3x more 3x more than malesthan males Males are Males are 4x 4x moremore likely to likely to die by suicidedie by suicide than femalesthan females

What can we determine from What can we determine from this graph?this graph?

Suicide StatisticsSuicide Statistics

1 person dies of suicide 1 person dies of suicide approximately every 14 minutes in approximately every 14 minutes in the United Statesthe United States

105 people will take their life in the 105 people will take their life in the United State today alone.United State today alone.

SUICIDE RISK FACTORSSUICIDE RISK FACTORS

90% of people that commit suicide have 90% of people that commit suicide have diagnosable and TREATABLE mental illnesses. diagnosable and TREATABLE mental illnesses.

-Clinical Depression-Clinical Depression -Other Depressions-Other Depressions

-Bipolar -Bipolar -Schizophrenia -Schizophrenia - -AlcoholismAlcoholism -Eating Disorders-Eating Disorders

-Drug Abuse/Dependence-Drug Abuse/Dependence

*Most people with mental illness to not die by *Most people with mental illness to not die by suicide suicide *THERE IS *THERE IS ALWAYSALWAYS ANOTHER ANOTHER

OPTION*OPTION*

Warning Signs of SuicideWarning Signs of Suicide All signs of depressionAll signs of depression No hope for the futureNo hope for the future Giving/throwing away favorite possessionsGiving/throwing away favorite possessions Previous suicide attempt(s)Previous suicide attempt(s)

• Estimated 20-50% attempted beforeEstimated 20-50% attempted before Making a willMaking a will Speaking about death (idolizing)Speaking about death (idolizing)

*THERE IS *THERE IS ALWAYSALWAYS ANOTHER OPTION* ANOTHER OPTION*

Warning Signs of Suicide (cont.)Warning Signs of Suicide (cont.) Rebellious behavior ex. Running awayRebellious behavior ex. Running away BoredomBoredom

Suddenly cheerful after extended period of Suddenly cheerful after extended period of depressiondepression

Making a planMaking a plan Increased Drug and/or alcohol abuseIncreased Drug and/or alcohol abuse VERBAL HINTSVERBAL HINTS““I won’t be a problem for you anymore”I won’t be a problem for you anymore”

““I won’t see you again”I won’t see you again”““Nothing matters anymore”Nothing matters anymore”

““It’s no use”It’s no use”

Why are suicide rates on the Why are suicide rates on the rise?rise?

*THERE IS *THERE IS ALWAYSALWAYS ANOTHER OPTION* ANOTHER OPTION*

What to do?What to do? Know the FactsKnow the Facts ASK FOR HELP!!!ASK FOR HELP!!! Always take it seriously- 50-75% give some sort Always take it seriously- 50-75% give some sort

of verbal warning to friend or familyof verbal warning to friend or family

LISTEN- If you are aware a friend has depression LISTEN- If you are aware a friend has depression don’t be afraid to ask if they have thought don’t be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicideabout suicide-DO NOT ARGUE WITH THEM-DO NOT ARGUE WITH THEM

**ALWAYS REPORT IT!!!!******ALWAYS REPORT IT!!!!**** CALL 1-800-273-TALKCALL 1-800-273-TALK 1-800-SUICIDE1-800-SUICIDE

WHO CAN YOU TALK TO???WHO CAN YOU TALK TO???

1. Mr. Musselman 1. Mr. Musselman jmusselman@methacton.org

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*THERE IS *THERE IS ALWAYSALWAYS ANOTHER OPTION* ANOTHER OPTION*