Suicide Awareness and Prevention

1. Awareness - statistics, prevalence, risk factors and which factors predict higher likelihood of acting on suicidal ideations. Mental d/o’s that correlate to suicidal thoughts and behavior.  

Since 2007, suicide rates have doubled in youth populations and it's the 10th leading cause of death in our society. Statistically, women have more suicide attempts, while men have higher completion rates. Certain populations have higher rates of suicide, however, suicide crosses all demographics.  

Since early 2020, we have been watching rates of depression, anxiety, trauma/ptsd, sleep difficulties increase by at least 40%. Because of isolation, and the aforementioned, suicide rates have increased dramatically, as well.

The mindset of someone dealing with suicidal depression: Many, if not most, people have experienced dark times in life that have led them down a dark path.  With depression, everything is experienced through a lense of darkness and hopelessness: Our relationships, our outlook on life, and our future, can all seem bleak and hopeless. Even our relationship with God can feel distant. The ability to feel joy, hope, purpose and worth are all compromised by this dark lense. Depression and suicidal thoughts can be treated with great success though, through counseling, increasing support and occasionally medications. Ask for help.

• The neurochemistry within the brain of a depressed or suicidal person? Show how the brain functions differently than when we are feeling on top of our game.
• The file cabinet metaphor of being stuck in one part of the brain (or you can use the idea of depression glasses in which the only lense we are looking through is that of depression, where our thoughts, emotions, relationships, view of the world and self are all colored by that lense. We don’t see the other aspects of our lives because we aren’t in that part of the brain.  
• Painful emotions can be seen as our “emergency response system” much like the lights on the dashboard of a car. Trust your perspective

The following are symptoms of depression and suicidal risk. Those starred with an asterisk are more serious and may suicidal risk.

Depressive symptoms

• Sad or depressed mood,
• Loosing interest in things one used to care about
• Changes in normal behavior, like difficulty sleeping or eating
• Chronic pain or illness
• Isolating oneself, withdrawing from others

Indicate higher risk

• *Statements about being hopeless, worthless, or a burden
• *Statements like "I wish I wasn't here" or "I wish I was dead."
• *Talking about killing oneself, self-harm, or suicide in general; preoccupation with death.
• *Substance abuse
• *Having firearms in the home
• *History of suicide attempts (personally); family history of suicide

Note: No one symptom in and of itself indicates suicidality, with the exception of direct threats, but more symptoms present indicate higher risk.

• ACTION STEPS compile info from the SAMSHA.org and www.Jasonfoundation.com websites.  ALSO bringing awareness to certain things in the cultural climate and the media that might encourage suicidal behavior and self harm

2 Identifying Risk, assessing for risk (do they have a plan?Do they have the means? (ie: gun, pills, etc.)  How likely are they to act on the plan (intent?). PMI; scale of 1-10.

• ACTION STEPS compile info from the SAMSHA.org and www.Jasonfoundation.com websites
• When in doubt, refer to a medical professional (Doctor, therapist, psychologist) and let them do the assessing. You may need to set the appointment and accompany the person. Then with the professional, create a plan for safety, support, healing and hope.
• Ground yourself - don’t buy into their helplessness.

3. Intervention Protocol - General - 

• How to talk with the person, 
• How to access help and provide resources, 
• creating a safety plan (contacting parents, 
• providing resources, 
• checking up, 
• providing more support through follow-up contact and prayer.).  

• ACTION STEPS - compile info from the SAMSHA.org and www.Jasonfoundation.com websites, 
• Create a list of resources in each campus’ local
• Check out the app that is on the www.Jasonfoundation.com, “A friend asks.” It is an excellent and handy resource for adults and students. Perhaps LC would want to change it up some and rebrand/personalize it.  Or just use this to equip your leaders and students. It has warning signs, how to help a friend, how to ask the right questions, what not to do, a link to SAMSHA.org which has nationwide stats, and resources in most communities. It also has a link to Rascal Flats organization B1 - which is aimed at suicide prevention. This provides much of what you need for this presentation at your fingertips!!

Protocol for leaders and parents. (These might be very similar - components to include education, prevalence, risk factors, how to assess and recognize who is at-risk and who is likely to act on a suicidal plan (both need intervention). Developing a plan of action to contact family members, provide resources, connect to resources if necessary and follow-up plan. The plan of action will likely have a decision tree that will provide direction depending on levels of severity.  Share the truth of God’s love. Remind them that we can only do our best, but if something happens, it is not our fault.

Protocol for students - 1. education to bring awareness, 2. help them to identify depression, hopeless feelings, suicidal thoughts, isolation, etc., 3. what can be done to help them or their friends, help them see other options, what it means to be a true friend, what God sees when He sees you (not “junk”, He didn’t make a mistake), 4. Give them a plan of action - Find a safe relationship to be honest - Tell a parent, leader, pastor, or teacher and keep telling until you get help. Sharing the truth of God’s love.  Reminder that although we can take steps to help, it isn’t our fault if someone does attempt or kill themselves. Well meaning people and trained professionals sometimes can’t prevent it.

4. Prevention - Awareness, reminding people to watch for the warning signs in themselves and in others so they can catch it early. There is ALWAYS hope!!

To the broken-hearted:

First, remember you are not alone. Suicide is NEVER the answer. Jesus Cares. He says you are worthy. He says you have a purpose. He created someone in you that is like no other! Just because the lense of depression and hopelessness covers your view of the light, it doesn't mean there's no hope. You just might not be seeing it accurately.  Psalm 34:18. Your life matters. God created you and He loves YOU. Nothing can separate you from Him. Not even when you "feel" separated from His love, are you separated. Romans 8:38-39.  

Five Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain from National Institute of Mental Health's website https://www.nimh.nih.gov:  

1. Ask: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they're suicidal doesn't increase suicidal thoughts.

2. Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. Ask the at-risk person if they have a plan and remove or disable the lethal means.

3. Be there: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce suicidal thoughts.

4. Help them connect: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number is 1-800-8255 (TALK). Help them expand their support system by connecting them to a trusted family member, pastor, friend, medical doctor, counselor, etc.

5. Stay Connected: Studies show that suicide deaths go down when someone follows up with the at-risk person. 

Give hope a chance. Find LIFE. Many, many have walked this journey successfully and have found God's healing. Isaiah 40:28-31, Jeremiah 29:11.

Our Call...

We are called, as Believers, to help bring Jesus' light into the world, but that doesn't mean hiding from the darkness. Depression and suicidality are isolative in nature. Meeting people where they are, in the midst of their pain, may be the only way to reach them. 

This can also be found on www.finds.life.church website.