MATT GRAGG, LMFT, LPCC Director of Counseling University of Redlands

Transcription

1 MATT GRAGG, LMFT, LPCC Director of Counseling University of Redlands

2 INTRODUCTION STATISTICS WARNING SIGNS SUICIDE INTERVENTION LOSS SURVIVOR

3 83 years old 220 foot drop Architectural marvel Over 1500 documented suicides 2-3 people per week stopped from jumping Which bridge is it?

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6 Of 515 would-be jumpers who were stopped by police between 1937 and 1971, only 6 percent went on to kill themselves later in life. Richard Seiden, clinical psychologist: They were having an acute temporary crisis, they passed through it and, coming out the other side, they got on with their lives. From The Urge to End it All by Scott Anderson, NY Times, 7/6/08

7 Estimated that 1,100 college students die by suicide each year--around 3 completed suicides per day. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students LGBTQQ students were 25% more likely to consider suicide (Iowa College Climate Survey, 2011)

8 .80 % attempted in the last year 75% of those students who attempted were ambivalent 55% were using alcohol or drugs during the attempt *University of Texas 2011 Survey

9 Almost 50% of college students felt so depressed during a recent school year that it was difficult to function (ACHA) 72% of students said that embarrassment is a reason they would not seek help (Jed F.) 80% of students who planned or attempted suicide had a mother who was depressed genetic link

10 95% of college students who completed suicide were suffering from a major mental illness (eg. Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Abuse Disorder) (AFSP, 2002)

11 I Ideation S Substance Abuse P Purposelessness A Anxiety T Trapped H Hopelessness W Withdrawal A Anger R Recklessness M Mood change

12 Direct Verbal Clues: I ve decided to kill myself. I wish I were dead. I m going to commit suicide. I m going to end it all. If (such and such) doesn t happen, I ll kill myself.

13 I m tired of life, I just can t go on. My family would be better off without me. Who cares if I m dead anyway. I just want out. I won t be around much longer. Pretty soon you won t have to worry about me.

14 Any previous suicide attempt Acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills Co-occurring depression, moodiness, hopelessness Putting personal affairs in order Giving away prized possessions Sudden interest or disinterest in religion Drug or alcohol abuse, or relapse after a period of recovery Unexplained anger, aggression and irritability

15 Being suspended from school A recent unwanted move Loss of any major relationship Death of a parent, sibling, or best friend, especially if by suicide Diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness Sudden unexpected loss of freedom/fear of punishment Anticipated loss of financial security Loss of a cherished professor or counselor Fear of becoming a burden to others Lack of social support

16 Irritable or depressed mood daily for two weeks Change in sleeping and eating patterns Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities Decrease in sexual drive Fatigue or loss of energy Diminished ability to think or concentrate Thoughts of death or suicide, or wishing to be dead -DSM 5

17 Feeling ineffective to the degree that others are burdened is among the strongest sources of all for the desire for suicide. -Dr. Joiner s Theory

18 Our need to belong to valued groups and relationships is so powerful that, if frustrated or thwarted, serious negative health consequences follow including suicide. -Dr. Joiner s Theory

19 Those Who Desire Suicide Perceived Burdensomeness Thwarted Belongingness Those Who Are of Suicide Capable Serious Attempt or Death by Suicide

20 THE LETHAL TRIAD UPSET PERSON FIREARM When these three are present-the risk of violence is high. ALCOHOL

21 Notice warning signs Ask Are you thinking about suicide? Tell them you are going to get help Call 911 or CHC Campus Police

22 Fundamental Risk Factors The Many Paths to Suicide Proximal Risk Factors Triggers or Final Straws Cause of Death Biological Crisis in Relation Poison Genetic Load Sex Race Loss of Freedom Gun Personal/Psychological Child Abuse Environmental Season of year Loss of Parent Geography Culture Shock/ Shift Urban vs. Rural Values Religion Beliefs Age Drugs or Alcohol Model for Suicide Fired/ Expelled Illness Major Loss Increasing Hopelessness Contemplation of Suicide as Solution WALL OF RESISTANCE Hanging Autocide Jumping All Causes are real. Hopelessness is the common pathway. Break the chain anywhere = prevention.??

23 Wall of Resistance to Suicide Counselor or therapist Duty to others Others? Good health Medication Compliance Fear Job Security or Job Skills Difficult Access to means Pet(s) Best Friend(s) Religious Prohibition Responsibility for children A sense of HOPE Calm Environment Safety Agreement -- Sobriety -- Protective Factors Support of significant other(s) Positive Self-esteem AA or NA Sponsor Treatment Availability

24 Supportive family Ability to regulate emotions Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills Coping skills Positive view of future Cultural or religious views discourage suicide Access to mental health care Willing to ask for help

25 Suicidal Crisis Episode 7 Risk is Imminent Risk Level Initial Hazard is Encountered 2 1 Stable Crisis Begins Crisis Peaks Crisis Diminishes Stable Years Days Hours Days Years Approximately 3 weeks

26 Have you lost someone to suicide? Many feelings come up for those left behind

27 Shock-numb, disoriented Depression symptoms Anger-at them and self Relief-due to severe mental illness Guilt- If only I had

28 I can live with it but not accept it I love them and hate them He took my life too You don t get over it, you get through it The last paragraph doesn t tell the whole story You don t have to decide today how you are going to feel the rest of your life

29 A loss survivor is someone who experiences a major life disruption in the aftermath of a completed suicide On average, 25 loss survivors are directly affected by each suicide If there is a suicide every 12.8 minutes, there are at least 25 new loss survivors every 12.8 minutes More than one million Americans were loss survivors in 2013 Between 1989 and 2013, there were more than 20 million loss survivors which is 1 in 15 Americans Suicide risk is greater in survivors (e.g. 4-fold increase in children when a parent dies by suicide)

30 AFSP American Foundation for Suicide Prevention QPR Gatekeeper training for suicide prevention Suicide Hotlines 800-SUICIDE or

31 QUESTIONS? Contact info: