Youth Suicide Prevention
in the Family

SPEAK
SUICIDE PREVENTION EDUCATION AWARENESS FOR KIDS

P.O. BOX 36802
Baltimore, MD 21286
410-377-7711

Developed by the Office of Guidance
and Counseling Services of
Baltimore County Public Schools

YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS:
A FAMILY MATTER

        Why Should Parents Be Concerned?

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death
  among 15-19 year olds.
  
  

• Suicide is a devastating trauma to a
  family's unity.
  
  

• Suicide complicates grief by introducing
  blame, guilt, and second guessing.
  
  

• In the United States, a young person
  completes suicide every hour and fifty-three minutes every day of the year.
  
  

• For every two murders in the USA, there
  are three completed suicides.
  
  

• Youth suicide is a largely preventable
  death.
  
  

• With increased awareness of the warning
  signs of youthful suicide, the chances
  increase that a suicide can be prevented.
  
  

• There are resources available to support
  families facing a suicidal crisis.

       Behaviors If they talk about suicide, it is
     already on their  minds.

• Threats to take one's life
  
  
• Drawings or writings about one's death
  
  
• High risk behaviors, endangering one's life
  
  
• Dramatic changes in appearance,
  withdrawal from family/friends
  
  
• Increased use of drugs or alcohol
  
  
• Changes in eating and/or sleeping habits
  
  
• Previous suicidal gestures/attempts
  
  
• Giving away prized possessions, making a will or plans for one's funeral
  
  

      Attitudes  Depression is a killer emotion

• History of depression:  ninety percent of
  those who complete suicides suffer from it
  
  
• A sense of being overwhelmed by
  problems
  
  
• Angry at the world for wrongs suffered
  
  
• Feeling that others do not care about their
  problems
  
  
• Helpless to change a situation they see as
  hopeless
  
  
• Fantasies of revenge, poor communications
  about their own needs
  
  
• Impulsive, poor problem-solving skills
  
  
• In pain which they want to end
  
  
• Perfectionistic, rigid thinker
  
  

      Life Circumstances  Youthful suicides feel
     overwhelmed by life

• Difficulties with discipline in school and/
  or with the law in the community
  
  
• May have experienced abuse
  
  
• Living in the midst of conflict in home or
  school
  
  
• May have a learning disability
  
  
• Rejected due to sexual orientation
  
  
• May be a victim of bullying/harassment
  
  
• Living in a home where firearms are readily
  accessible
  
  
• Multiple losses
  
  
• Suicide of a close friend/relative
  
  
• Public embarrassment or rejection by a
  loved one
  

Young people go through a number of changes
and may express broad mood swings as part of normal development.

One warning sign may not be a clear indication
of suicidal intention.  But a pattern of hopeless
feeling about self and a sense of helplessness
in the face of stressors and life challenges
should b discussed openly.  Set backs may
become crises for vulnerable young people.

• Take suicidal threats seriously.  It costs
  nothing if you are wrong; it may be the 
  difference of a life if you are right.
  
  
• Be an "askable" parent.  Make it clear that
  problems can be shared and concerns will
  be listened to through open discussion.
  
  
  
• Act when you suspect that something is
  wrong with your child.  Think the
  unimaginable and be relieved if you are
  wrong.
  
  
• Avoid the trap of denial that surrounds
  suicide.  "Oh, he's just looking for
  attention."
  
  
• Recognize that depression is a very real
  problem for young people; it is not a
  problem that will go away on its own.
  
  
• Seek professional help when warning signs
  are detected.  Be willing to participate in
  family counseling to support your child.
  
  
• Create a positive family climate.
  
  

• Ask "What did you mean when you said, I
  wish I were dead!?"
  
  

• Examine recent problems with your child.
  Assure him/her that you have sensed
  his/her pain and hurt, and promise to look
  together for solutions.  Follow through on 
  these problems.
  
  

• When a suicide is threatened, find out the
  plan for the suicide, the means considered
  being used, and the young person's access
  to the means.
  
  

• Assure your child that you will do what it
  takes to keep him/her alive; he/she must 
  promise to work with you.
  
  

• Point out that most problems are temporary
  setbacks; suicide is forever.
  
  

• Discuss concerns with the school's
  counselor, school social worker, or
  psychologist.
  
  

• Take an actively suicidal child to:
  **Therapist, who can see
      him/her immediately.
  **Community Mental Health
      Agencies in Baltimore County.
  **Hospital emergency room with
      A psychiatric unit.
  
  

• If uncertain, call the:
  Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline
           1-800-422-0009
  

       Baltimore County Community Mental Health
       Agencies                               1-800-888-1965

       DRADA (Depression and Related Affective
       Disorders Association)           410-955-4647

       NAMI (National Alliance for Mentally Ill)
                                                          410-467-7100

       SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education
       Awareness for Kids)                410-377-7711

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