Welcome Parents!
9th grade Parent Chat
Partner with Parents
Increase communication
Discuss real issues - SOS Presentation
Educate, share information and resources
Open forum for questions
New you can use
Signs of Suicide (SOS)
High School Prevention Program
• WHY?
– Prevention is taking place throughout our county
– To prevent we must educate
• GOAL
– To provide information about the signs and
symptoms to watch for in your children
– To offer mental health resources in the event that
you need help
Prevalence
Statistics from 2011 in Gwinnett County
• FACT: Last year, Gwinnett County Public
Schools had 5 students complete suicide.
• FACT: In 2010-2011, Gwinnett County Public
Schools conducted a student health survey
– 2,163 students in middle and high school reported
seriously considering suicide in the past 12
months.
– In the same survey, 1171 students reported
attempting suicide in the past year.
GEORGIA STATISTICS
(Prevalence)
• Every year is GA, suicide claims the lives of approx.
900 people, 2800 more are hospitalized & 5400 visit
emergency hospitals because of intentionally
inflicted injuries. (Ga Dept. of Human Resources – “Suicide in GA,
State & County Statistics”)
• Suicide was the 3rd most common cause of death of
people between the ages of 15 and 34.
• Approximately 11% of suicides occur in Gwinnett
county.
Why are Georgia’s Statistics so alarming to
warrant a comprehensive report?
• Suicide is highest in states where there are
large rural areas.
– Access to firearms
• From 1999 to 2002, 69% of suicides involved
firearms.
MYTHS ABOUT DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
MYTH:
•
It’s normal for teenagers to be moody; Teens don’t suffer from “real” depression.
FACT:
•
Depression can affect people at any age or of any race, ethnicity, or economic group.
MYTH:
•
Teens who claim to be depressed are weak and just need to pull themselves together. There is nothing
anyone else can do to help.
FACT:
•
Depression is not a weakness, but a serious health disorder.
•
Young people and adults who are depressed need professional treatment.
•
A trained therapist or counselor can help them learn more positive ways to think about themselves,
change behavior, cope with problems, or handle relationships.
•
A physician can prescribe medications to help relieve symptoms of depression.
•
For many people, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is beneficial.
MYTH: People who talk about suicide won’t really do it.
FACT:
•
Almost everyone who dies by suicide has given some clue or warning.
•
Do not ignore suicide threats.
•
Statements like “You’ll be sorry when I’m dead,” or “I can’t see any way out” – no matter how casually or
jokingly said – may indicate serious suicidal feelings
MORE MYTHS
MYTH: Anyone who tries to kill themselves must be crazy.
FACT:
•
Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane.
•
They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed, or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are
not necessarily signs of mental illness.
MTYH: If a person is determined to kill themselves, nothing is going to stop them.
FACT:
•
Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last
moment between wanting to live and wanting to die.
•
Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop.
•
The impulse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.
MYTH: People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
FACT:
•
Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help within six months
before their deaths.
MYTH: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
FACT:
•
You don’t give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide.
•
The opposite is true. Bringing up suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can
do.
•
There is no evidence that screening youth for suicide induces suicidal thinking or behavior.
Signs (Symptoms) of Depression
 Sadness, down, grouchy or irritable
 Change in sleeping patterns (too
much, too little or disturbed)
 Change in weight or appetite
(decreased or increased)
 Speaking and/or moving with
unusual speed or slowness
 Loss of interest or pleasure in usual
activities
 Withdrawal from family & friends
 Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
 Feelings of hopelessness or
desperation
 Diminished ability to think or
concentrate, slowed thinking or
indecisiveness
 Thoughts of death, suicide, or wishes
to be dead
Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior
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(Screening for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Program)
Depression
Strong feelings of hopelessness
Drug and/or alcohol abuse
Access to guns
Strong feelings of wanting to be
dead
A previous suicide attempt
Demonstrating behaviors indicating
suicidal thoughts
Talking or writing about
death/suicide
Giving away possessions
Saying goodbye
Serious behavior or conduct
problems
Legal or discipline crisis occurring
Having a past history or currently
being emotionally, physically or
sexually abused
Lack of mental health treatment for
depression or other psychiatric
illness
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Do not be afraid to talk to your kids about
suicide.
• Know the risk factors and warning signs of
youth suicide.
• Respond immediately if your child is showing
warning signs.
– Use the parent screening handout as a guide.
• Reach out to the School Counselors for
resources.
• Make all firearms inaccessible to kids.
QUESTIONS
News you can use
• Beta Club offers peer tutoring for free
• Math Help
– Most teachers are available before school for additional help.
– We also have teachers that tutor at neighborhood libraries for a fee.
• Anchor Church has a tutoring ministry that is at no cost to
parents.
• Sign up for Be There @ GCPS New Parent Involvement
Newsletter.
– http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001ti8yLLtrqg
oJL3gRKLU4Nw%3D%3D
• All teachers are available via email
– Don’t have internet access, call the counselor