5.7 Suicide

Which of the following is NOT a suicide risk factor? -having a family history of suicide or violence -having a personal history of suicide attempts or violence -having a group of friends and family for personal support -abusing drugs or alcohol

-having a group of friends and family for personal support

Mike and I were best friends. We did everything together. A few weeks ago Mike began acting strangely. He started cutting classes, and his grades were suffering. He spent less and less time with his friends, including me. When Mike and I did things together, he talked down about himself and was so negative that I just started tuning him out. He drove his car so fast and dangerouslythat I became scared just being with him in the vehicle. One morning he told me that everyone would probably be better off if he just drove his car into a canal.I noticed that he was wearing the same clothes day after day and hadan offensive body odor. I thought he was just depressed. When I mentionedthis to his parents, they said that it was probably because he was not sleeping well and was rushed in the mornings. Last week Mike seemed to be more friendly. He even went so far as to lend me his new CDs and insist I take all his old ones as well, since he was tired of listening to them. Yesterday Mike committed suicide.

1) Degradation 2) Withdraw 3)Sudden calmness 4) Recklessness 5)Getting affairs in order

Which of the following is a way to prevent a suicide? -Ask the person if they are thinking about suicide. -Dare him or her to do it. -Allow yourself to be sworn to secrecy. -Debate whether suicide is right or wrong.

Ask the person if they are thinking about suicide

If you had a friend as Mike who confided in you that he was contemplating suicide, what steps could you take to prevent such a thing from happening?

To prevent him contemplating suicide I would talk to him and listen to him.

Which of the following is NOT a suicide risk factor? -being a violent, impulsive person -asking for help whenever you need it -having access to a lethal weapon, (gun, car, drugs, etc) -expecting perfection from yourself

asking for help whenever you need it

t/f Abusing drugs, or alcohol and getting in trouble with the law does not have any correlation with suicide attempts.

false

t/f According to the CDC, suicide is the number one cause of death for persons ages 15-24.

false

t/f Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop them.

false

Which of the following are NOT teen warning signs of suicide? -self-injury, extremes in behavior -writing about suicide and death -sudden change in appearance, lack of interest in appearance -joining a new activity to learn a new skill or for self-improvement

joining a new activity to learn a new skill or for self-improvement

To help prevent suicide you can:

listen to them, use active listening skills so they feel understood.

Abusing drugs, or alcohol and getting in trouble with the law does not have any correlation with suicide attempts.

myth

People who commit suicide do not warn others.

myth

r/m Suicidal people clearly want to die.

myth

When talking with someone who is thinking about suicide, listen intelligently. Encourage a suicidal person to talk to you. Do not give false reassurances that everything will be okay. Be an "active listener."

reality

r/m Boys, because they use more violent methods, commit suicide more often than girls. However girls attempt suicide more frequently than boys.

reality

r/m Feeling lonely, discouraged, or depressed once in a while is something most of us experience. However, feeling down and hopeless for long periods of time may mean the person needs to seek help.

reality

r/m Most teen suicides might have been prevented if those teens had developed life management skills including coping skills.

reality

r/m Suicide is a permanent reaction to a temporary problem. A person who has thoughts of suicide can be helped by someone who has the confidence to step in, take time and help.

reality

1-800-273-TALK is a suicide prevention hotline.

true

t/f An overwhelming problem, real or imagined, can be the catalyst to prompt someone to think about suicide.

true

t/f Improvement in a person's demeanor who has considered suicide following a serious personal crisis or serious depression does not mean that the risk of suicide is over.

true

t/f Indirect statements like "I want to go to sleep and never wake up" or "They will be sorry when I am gone" or "I will not have to take this pain much longer" or "Soon the pain will end" are verbal cues that a person is considering suicide.

true

t/f It may be helpful to ask a friend who appears overly depressed, withdrawn, or grief-stricken whether he/she has ever considered suicide as a solution to his/her problems.

true

t/f Teens who attempt suicide often feel loss or rejection. These teens may feel suicide is a way to get even with those who have rejected them.

true

t/f When a suicidal crisis is suspected, stay calm, stay with the suicidal person and ask another person to get help as quickly as possible.

true