Saturday, November 21, 2009

What Can I Do to Help?




*Taken from http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/suicide.html#*

AS A TEEN CONSIDERING SUICIDE:

If you have been thinking about suicide, get help now. Depression is powerful. You can't wait and hope that your mood might improve. When a person has been feeling down for a long time, it's hard to step back and be objective.


Talk to someone you trust as soon as you can. If you can't talk to a parent, talk to a coach, a relative, a school counselor, a religious leader, or a teacher. Call a suicide crisis line (such as 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-999-9999) or your local emergency number (911). These toll-free lines are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by trained professionals who can help you without ever knowing your name or seeing your face. All calls are confidential — no one you know will find out that you've called. They are there to help you figure out how to work through tough situations




HELPING SOMEONE WHO IS SUICIDAL

It is always a good thing to start a conversation with someone you think may be considering suicide. It allows you to get help for the person, and just talking about it may help the person to feel less alone and more cared about and understood.


Talking things through may also give the person an opportunity to consider other solutions to problems. Most of the time, people who are considering suicide are willing to talk if someone asks them out of concern and care. Because people who are depressed are not as able to see answers as well as others, it can help to have someone work with them in coming up with at least one other way out of a bad situation.

Even if a friend or classmate swears you to secrecy, you must get help as soon as possible — your friend's life could depend on it. Someone who is seriously thinking about suicide may have sunk so deeply into an emotional hole that the person could be unable to recognize that he or she needs help. Tell an adult you trust as soon as possible.

If necessary, you can also call the toll-free number for a suicide crisis line or a local emergency number (911). You can find local suicide crisis or hotline numbers listed in your phone book. These are confidential resources and the people at any of these places are happy to talk to you to help you figure out what is best to do.

Sometimes, teens who make a suicide attempt — or who die as a result of suicide — seem to give no clue beforehand. This can leave loved ones feeling not only grief stricken but guilty and wondering if they missed something. It is important for family members and friends of those who die by suicide to know that sometimes there is no warning and they should not blame themselves.

When someone dies by suicide the people left behind can wrestle with a terrible emotional pain. Teens who have had a recent loss or crisis or who had a family member or classmate who committed suicide may be especially vulnerable to suicidal thinking and behavior themselves.

If you've been close to someone who has attempted or committed suicide, it can help to talk with a therapist or counselor — someone who is trained in dealing with this complex issue. Or, you could join a group for survivors where you can share your feelings and get the support of people who have been in the same situation as you

Bullycide- Bullying that leads to Suicide

Recently the media has brought much attention to this newly coined phrase, bullycide. Bullycide is a suicide that is brought on by bullying. Most recently, and prominently in the news has been the story of Megan Meier, the teen who had an online romance with a boy named Josh. Eventually, Josh began to bully her and made several inappropriate comments. Megan couldn't understand why these things were being said, and eventually hung herself because of it. After Megan's death, it became known that Josh was actually a fictional character that was created by a woman who lived down the street from Megan and her family. Watch the two videos below to see just how devastating bullycide can be for all parties involved.

The story by Megan's parents:


*taken from YouTube. Please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFsfDLCkfQU&feature=player_embedded to see the video or other's like it.


The story told by the bully:







I find the whole story so tragic! The fact that this young girl had all of her hopes and dreams crashed by someone she trusted. The saddest part of this story is that the fictional character, Josh, was created by an adult. As an adult, you have a responsibility to put aside your own feelings, to protect the interests of children around you. It's tragic that these adults were portraying this attitude in front of their own children. What a horrible example!

My heart breaks for the Meir's. As a parent, the fear of loosing a child is unimaginable. TO have them be lost to suicide, due to another adults actions is asinine.

Look, Listen, And Link

This video was developed by Youth Suicide Prevention Program of Washington State; to be used in conjunction with middle school health curriculum. For more information, go to: www.yspp.org

Factors that increase suicide risk


The many reasons teen attempt or commit suicide vary, and are complex. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the nation's thirds leading cause of death for those age 15-24.

Factors that increase the risk of suicide include:

Physcological disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

Drug & Alcohol Use

Feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation

Feelings of hopelessnes or worthlessness

Previous suicide attempts

Physical or Sexual abuse

Lack of a support system (i.e; friends, family, educators, etc.)

Dealing with homosexuality in an unsupportive family or community or hostile school environment

(http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html#)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Warning Signs






Studies show that 4 out of 5 teen suicide attempts have been predicated by clear warning signs.(http://www.teensuicide.us/articles2.html) Here are some things to watch for in your children:

Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities
Problems at work and losing interest in a job
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug (illegal and legal drugs) use
Behavioral problems
Withdrawing from family and friends
Sleep changes
Changes in eating habits
Begins to neglect hygiene and other matters of personal appearance
Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues, migraines)
Hard time concentrating and paying attention
Declining grades in school
Loss of interest in schoolwork
Risk taking behaviors
Complains more frequently of boredom
Does not respond as before to praise