Suicide Awareness
A preview of the PowerPoint Presentation
Gatekeeper Training

What is a Gatekeeper?

The term “gatekeeping” describes the protective functions the gatekeeper uses in the process of using his or her critical skills in recognizing, responding to, and helping suicidal persons get the help they need.

Gatekeeper training is designed to provide participants with:

Increased general knowledge about the nature of suicidal behavior

Personal confidence and specific skills to recognize, respond appropriately,and refer a suicidal person for help

Knowledge about how to interact with and assist family and friends in theaftermath of a suicidal event

A Gatekeeper:

  • Believes suicide can be prevented
  • Learns basic suicide intervention skills
  • Has the confidence to respond
  • Can assist in the aftermath of suicide

Participants are not expected to be an “expert” at the conclusion of the program, nor will they be expected to present themselves as one. Gatekeepers can not solve all of the problems. Know that you are not responsible for another person’s choice to end their life.

Myths of Suicide

  1. Talking about suicide will cause it.
  2. People who talk about it don’t really do it.
  3. Suicide happens without warning signs.
  4. Suicidal behavior is just a way to get attention & manipulate.
  5. If someone wants to do it, there isn’t anything we can do to stop them.

Fact #1: Talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will not put the idea in their head or cause a person to kill themselves.Most people thinking about suicide want very much to talk about how they are feeling and are relieved when someone else recognizes their pain.

Fact #2: At least 70% of people who die by suicide tell a loved one or show warning signs.

Fact #3: There are Warning Signs – Learn to recognize them.

Fact #4: Most suicide attempts are expressions of extreme emotional or psychological distress, not harmless bids for attention. Suicide comes from having more pain than is manageable. Talking about suicide can be a plea for help and it can be a late sign in the progression towards a suicide attempt. Seven of every ten suicide attempts or completions are preceded bytalk of suicide. We have to pay serious attention to all suicidal talk and behavior.

Fact #5: Suicide is preventable.Most people who are considering suicide will be suicidal for a relatively short period of time. If you remove or restrict lethal means, often the person will not have a back-up plan so that gives him/her time to get past the crisis. Given proper assistance and support, there is a strong possibility that there will not be another suicidal crisis.

Suicide in Arkansas

  • Every day someone in Arkansas dies by suicide. Every 6th day that person is a young person.
  • Suicide is the 2ndleading cause of death for Arkansans’ youth ages 15-24
  • Of every 5 suicides, 4 are males
  • Of every 10 suicides, 6 are by firearm, 3 by hanging
Adding to this concern is the extent of suicidal attempt behavior:
  • risk of attempted suicide peaks among the young
  • The ratio for young people is estimated to be 100 or more attempts for every death by suicide.

Language Considerations
Terms to Avoid:
“successful suicide”
“failed attempt” / Other Terms to Understand and avoid:
“committed suicide”
“completed suicide”
“JUST a cry for help”
Please Use:
“suicide” or “died by/of suicide”
“non-fatal attempt” / Please Use:
“died by/of suicide”
“a suicide attempt”

Definitions

Early Warning Signs - the earliest observable signs that indicate the risk of suicide for an individual in the near-term (within minutes, hours or days.)

A mnemonic to help remember risk factors:

IS PATH WARM

Ideation Substance-abuse Purposelessness Anxiety Trapped Hopeless Withdrawal Anger Recklessness Mood-changes

Risk Factors - long standing conditions, stressful events or situations that may increase the likelihood of a suicide attempt or death. (Statistically significant)

Protective Factors - the positive conditions, personal and social resources that promote resiliency and reduce the potential of suicide and other high-risk behaviors.

Early Warning Signs of Suicide

  • Depressed/anxious/sad & irritable mood
  • Increased alcohol/drug use
  • “Roller coaster” moodiness
  • Changes in every day behaviors or appearance
  • Overly pessimistic, hopeless
  • Neglects self, friends, usual activities
  • Declining school performance, absences

Late Signs/Acute Risk Behaviors May Include:
  • Talks of suicide, plans for how/when/where
  • Has access to lethal means
  • Agitated, angry, restless, threatening behavior
  • Gives away favorite things, writes a will
  • Shows SUDDEN improvement in mood (suicide euphoria)
  • Increased isolation
  • Verbal cues including instant messaging or phone to drop hints like “I wish I were dead.”

Risk Factors
By Personal/Social aspect andConditions
Risk Factors / PERPETUATING
CONDITIONS
(Unchangeable) / PREDISPOSING CONDITIONS
(of Serious Concern) / PRECIPITATING CONDITIONS
(Acute)
FAMILY /
  • Family history of suicide, mental illness, substance abuse
  • Race
  • Gender
/
  • Unrealistic parental expectations
  • Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual)
/
  • Major family conflict
  • Exposure to suicide of family member
  • Anniversary of death
  • Moving often

PERSONAL
BEHAVIORAL /
  • Loss through death, abandonment, divorce
/
  • Previous suicide attempt
  • Mental illness
  • Substance abuse
  • Extreme Perfectionism
  • Poor coping/social skills
  • Impulsive
/
  • Current acute Mental Illness
  • Severe stress/anxiety
  • Isolation
  • Rejection
  • Relationship break-up
  • Increased use of substances

ENVIRONMENTAL/SOCIAL /
  • Inconsistent, neglectful or abusive parenting
  • Sexual orientation
/
  • Experience of repeated loss
  • Chronic severe stress
  • Ongoing harassment
/
  • Active suicide cluster in community
  • Access to lethal means
  • Bullying, harassment
  • Loss of freedom (e.g., incarceration)

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