Teenage Suicide
Chapter 5
Lesson 2 & 3
Pages. 230-237
Interactive Study guide Activity
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Open iSwifter APP
Open the bookmarks tab and choose “Glencoe chapter
activities”
Drop Down: “Chapter Activities”
Go to: Chapter 5
Next, Open: “Interactive Study Guides”
Open: “Lesson #3”
http://glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/health_fitness/glenc
oe_health_09/isg/GH_ch05.3_550x390.swf
Suicide Prevention and Getting Help




Objective 1: Identify the common risk factors.
Objective 2: List the warning signs of suicide
Objective 3: Determine strategies to prevent
suicides and strategies for coping with
depression.
Objective 4: Describe ways you can help
Facts & Myths on Suicide
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
People who talk about suicide don’t commit suicide
Suicide happens without warning
Suicidal people are fully intent on dying
Once a person is suicidal, they are suicidal forever
Improvement following a suicidal crisis means that a
suicide risk is over
Every person who commits suicide is mentally ill.
Suicide is more common among the lower socioeconomic groups
Suicide is caused by one very traumatic loss in the
victims life.
There is nothing you can do to stop a suicide.
Teenage Suicide
Suicide: The intended taking of one’s own life.
 Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for
teens ages 15-19.
 Each year, 15% of all teens in this age group
will consider suicide.
 Cluster Suicides: A series of suicides
occurring within a short period of time and
involving several people in the same school or
community.

Suicide Statistics

According to the American foundation for Suicide
Prevention; in 2010 there were 38,364 suicides. That’s
one suicide every 13.7 minutes.

http://www.afsp.org/understanding-suicide/facts-and-figures

Lake County Suicide Stats: Each year 60 individuals in
lake county die from suicide. For every suicide, its
estimated that 18 attempts have been made. That’s
approximately 1,080 attempts a year, averaging almost
3 a day!!

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Coroner/Prevention/Pages/default.aspx

Suicide Video Clip:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/suicide-rates-increase-in-u-smaine/1d003rmbz
Suicide Risk Factors
(pg. 230)



90% of the people who kill themselves are
suffering from depression, or another mental
disorder, or abusing alcohol or drugs.
Some people use alcohol or other drugs to
relieve their depression. These have a
depressant effect making self-destructive
behavior more likely.
video, “Cyberbulling Suicide”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYWXeUAM6ws
The vast majority of those who
attempt suicide do not want to
die; they are suffering and are
making a plea for help!
Did you know?

Four males commit suicide to every 1 female,
and represent 79.4% of all U.S suicides.


Females attempt suicide 2-3 times as often as
males do


Firearms are the most commonly used method of
suicide among males (57.6%)
Poisoning is the most common method of suicide
for females (39.1%)
http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/Suicide-DataSheet-a.pdf
Recognizing the verbal warning
signs




Direct statements (I want to die, I don’t want to
live anymore, I wish I were dead)
Indirect statements (I won’t have to put up with
this much longer, they’ll be sorry when I’m
gone, I can’t take it anymore)
Writing poems, songs, or diary entries that deal
with death
Suicide threats or insinuations
Recognizing the nonverbal or
behavioral signs






An unusual obsession with death
Withdrawal from friends
Giving away personal belongings
Deterioration in schoolwork or recreational
activities.
Dramatic changes in personality, hygiene, or
appearance.
Substance abuse
How You Can Help

1.
2.
3.
Show empathy when talking with the person. This
will let the person know that you are concerned.
Initiate a meaningful conversation: Show
interest, compassion, patience, and understanding.
Show support and ask questions:
Try to persuade the person to seek help: Offer
to go with if needed. Tell an adult even if they say
they are going to talk to someone later.
Activity


What would you do in these Scenario's?
Scenario #1: You are on the phone talking to
your friend and he/she tells you that they are
having another horrible day and that they are
going to commit suicide.
Scenario #2: You and your friend are in the
hallway and he/she tells you again that they feel
no love from his her parents and that he/she
hopes that they miss me when I’m gone.