Transcript Slide 1
Gatekeeper II for Suicide Prevention Welcome! SDSM&T Counseling and ADA Services Jolie McCoy, Dir. of Counseling and ADA: [email protected] Mark Urban, Counselor: [email protected] Megan Reder, Counselor/ADA Coordinator: [email protected] 1 Why are we here? 2 Student Suicide: a big problem. • 2010 state and national stats: • 38,364 suicides in US, 4,600 youth aged 15-24 • South Dakota #8 in nation with 140 suicide deaths or 12.4/100,000 • 25 X more attempts than completions • Women have 4X more attempts than men • Men have 4X more completions than women • Mines Students: • Increased # of counseling cases from 50-250 in last 15 yrs • Increased # of Disabled students from 10-125 in last 15 years • During 2012-13 school year: • 11 students we know considered suicide seriously • 2 students attempted • 2 completed 3 At Risk Students • • • • • • • • Minority students Veterans Disabled students Academic failures Substance Abusers Students Facing Legal Troubles Any Student Experiencing a Significant Life Change Students with Previous History of attempts and Depression 4 Of those who had attempted suicide: • 57.5% were receiving no psychiatric or counseling help • 56% considered for less than 1 day • 46% told no one of their thoughts 5 What is a Gatekeeper? A person in a student’s life who may be in a position to notice the student in distress and intervene with a reasonable level of help. Having training in ASSIST, QPR, Safetalk, Gatekeeper, or other suicide prevention strategy has not affected liability of laymen in schools or the workplace in courts 6 The Many Paths to Suicide Job/ Social/ Demands Financial Relational w/o skills Loss loss Social & Cultural Risk Factors Isolation Lack of social support Values Religion Beliefs Access Contagion to Lethal effect means Treatment Barriers Stigma to helpseeking Increasing Hopelessness Contemplation of Suicide as Solution WALL OF RESISTANCE Personal Risk Factors Hopelessness Substance Hx of Abuse Trauma or Abuse Previous Attempt Mental Family health Hx of suicide Environmental Risk Factors 7 Wellness and Protective Factors 8 Events having a large impact on considering suicide: • Emotional or physical pain • Romantic relationship problems • School problems • Family problems • Financial problems • Legal problems • Veterans (or those suffering from PTSD) 9 Warning Signs • Withdraws & doesn’t interact with others • Trouble eating or sleepingTrouble eating or sleeping • Loses interest in hobbies, work, school, etc. • Expresses hopelessness or feeling trapped, guilty or worthless • Inappropriate or exaggerated behavior, rage, aggressiveness, outbursts, crying • Increased use of alcohol or drugs • Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities 10 Urgent Warning Signs Announces he/she has made a plan to kill him- or herself or has somehow Seeking the means for suicide Making final arrangements (giving away prized possessions) Talking or writing about suicide or death 11 Talk Listen Connect (TLC) • Not school policy • Possible intervention strategy to use if you are dealing with a distressed student • You can opt to use it if it seems comfortable • You can also just opt to inform counseling services 12 A direct intervention when you are concerned for a person’s safety TALK TO THEM. Take the time. I’m worried about you I’ve noticed you’re acting differently Is everything OK? Have you had thoughts of hurting yourself? Are you thinking about suicide? 13 LISTEN TO THEM Let them talk about what’s going on Don’t judge them or say “You shouldn’t feel that way” Take any signs or threat of suicide seriously 14 CONNECT THEM TO HELP Don’t promise to keep a threat of suicide secret Getting help is strength – not weakness I want you to live I’m on your side; we’ll get through this Will you go with me to get help? Will you let me help you get help? Will you promise me not to kill yourself until we’ve found some help? 15 Types of Referrals • BEST: “Hand Delivered” • Personally take the person to someone who can help • Next Best: • Get student’s commitment to accept help & you make the arrangements with student present • Other: • Give student referral information and try to get a good faith commitment to seek help & not attempt suicide • Tell student you will contact the referral resource to give them a “heads up” 16 Additional Resources • 211 – Community Resource Line now available • 800-273-TALK (8255) • 911 (In emergencies) • 1-800-SUICIDE • Crisis Care Center (605) 381-2482 At the very least, if you observe warning signs in a student and become concerned, please let Counseling Services know of your concern. 17 New Resources • New Resources for Faculty and Staff: Online referral for form student concerns http://studentconduct.sdsmt.edu/forms/ • Starfish Online flagging and referral for academic concerns • Employee Assistance program—APS Healthcare Available beginning in January through HR • Crisis Care Center New evaluation and treatment planning • Disruptive Student in Classroom training 18 Related Problems and discussion topics 19 20