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Preventing Suicide Network Helping those who help others

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Welcome Teacher

"This is where I think a three-hour workshop (an in-service day) would be so beneficial. So that we can better understand how overwhelmed students with depression or other mental illness can be. So that we can understand their frustration and struggles instead of just thinking they should take another pill."

-Anonymous Middle School Teacher

Introduction

Something is not quite right with one of your students.

You notice a change in behavior in recent days and that changed behavior worries you. Perhaps the student is:

Disruptive in class
Sullen and moody
Missing assignments
Skipping school
Making poor choices

Could the student be experiencing personal problems or abusing drugs or alcohol? Is it typical adolescent angst? Perhaps, it might also be clinical depression.

The facts

This year more than 29,000 Americans will end their life as a way to escape the intolerable pain of living. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause in death among teens/young adults ages 10 to 24. Some of these young people could be your students.

Suicidal thoughts, gestures and attempts are not rare among young people. Survey data from 2001 indicates that (Reference 1):

19% of high school students had seriously considered attempting suicide
Almost 15% of high school students had made plans to attempt suicide
Almost 9% of high school students had made a suicide attempt during the year preceding the survey

References for Teacher Introduction

What to look for as a teacher

By better understanding the signs of mental illness, depression and potential for harm to self or others, teachers can be better equipped to help students.

What to do to help as a teacher

As a Teacher, you are in a key role to observe students.
So when observing atypical behaviors - from acting out to withdrawing, destructive or aggressive acts toward themselves or others, or a fixation with death or morbid themes - take note, and take action.

What education is available for a teacher

There is a wide array of resources specifically geared for helping youths at risk for suicide. As a teacher, you may be asked to help parents or other students find resources to help the child in need.

What researchers are doing of interest to teachers

Improved practices and new treatments are being discovered through research that may help teachers to better work with students who are at risk for suicide.

What other resources are available for teachers

There are some resources that do not “fit” into any one specific category. Diverse resources are available that are specific with your interest as a Teacher working to prevent suicide.

What to look for

>>Myths

>Professional resources

>>Professional screening tools

>>Suicide risk screening tools

What to do to help