Suicide Alert




	ESE502 : The Class : Discipline : Techniques : Suicide Alert

Suicide Alert

Technique: Act on concern. If a teacher is alerted, verbally or intuitively it should be followed by action. If a student says that suicide is being considered or names another student who may be considering suicide, take it seriously and get help.

Warning Signals

Deep depression
Drop in grades
Withdrawal from family & friends
Drop in activities or sports
Major loss - steady boy or girlfriend
Eating or sleeping habits change
Outbursts or unusual or reckless behavior
Giving away treasured possessions
Preoccupation with subject of death, literature about death
Neglect of person and hygiene (if well groomed before)
Talk of suicide or worthlessness

Facts About 5000 teens will kill themselves this year. 250,000 teens will attempt suicide this year. Eight times as many girls as boys will attempt suicide. Boys will succeed more. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people. Twice as many teens commit suicide today as did ten years ago. Teens who commit suicide are extremely unhappy but not necessarily mentally ill. Suicide does not ‘run in families’ and it is not a ‘rich person’s problem. It is an individual behavior and is represented proportionately in all social strata. Native American youth and students who believe they may be gay are at greatest risk. Suicide typically occurs as the person is beginning to recover and has found the energy to put morbid thoughts into action. The start of counseling or drug relief and the following three months are high risk. Most suicides are undecided and “gamble with death.” Suicidal people give many warnings and clues regarding their intentions. Eight out of ten people who kill themselves gave definite warnings of suicidal intentions. Many more of those who made attempts alerted others. Suicidal ideas are fleeting. People can feel suicidal, get beyond the crisis and not return to suicidal ideation. Successful teen suicide pacts may increase suicidal behavior in a ripple effect.

From Public Health Publication # 852, U.S. Government

Medical concerns: Never ignore a warning. GET HELP - DES, DPS, Mental Health Agencies, 911, Family Doctor, Emergency Room, Principal. Keep going until someone responds!

Strategy	Behavioristic	Cognitive	Humanistic	Physiological	Psychodynamic
Program	Behaviorism	Essentialism	Existentialism	Perennialism	Progressivism

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E-mail J'Anne Ellsworth at Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu