Barri Sky Faucett, MA
Every 12.8 minutes another life is lost to suicide, taking the lives
of more than 41,149 Americans in 2013.
Nationally 13 people per 100,000,in WV 17.4 people per 100,000
(323 Deaths)
WV ranked 14th in the US in suicide rate for all age groups, 44th
for adolescents.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America.
For youth, 15-24 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of
death.
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In 2010, there were 4,600
reported youth suicides in the
United States.
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Each day there are
approximately 12 youth suicides
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Most common method is
firearms followed by
suffocations
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Males complete 4 times more
than females; females attempt
four times more than males.
Suicide Attempts
Suicide Attempts
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1 out of every 53 high school
students (1.9 percent)
reported having made a
suicide attempt that was
serious enough to be treated
medically (CDC, 2010a).
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Approximately 1 out of every
15 high school students
attempts suicide each year
(CDC, 2010a).
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For every completed suicide,
there are 100-200 attempts
among adolescents.
Suicide in Adolescents
Research shows that most
adolescent suicides occur
school hours and in the teen’s
homes
 Most adolescent suicides are
precipitated by interpersonal
conflict
 Within a typical high school
classroom, it is likely that
three students (one boy and
two girls) have made a suicide
attempt within the last year.
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Suicide:
West Virginia Suicides by county
Ages 15-24
2002-2011
Rate per 100,000 Population
Hancock
4 (12.7)
A PREVENTABLE
DEATH IN OUR STATE
Brooke
4 (12.7)
Ohio
WV Rate 13.7/100,000
330 Deaths by Suicide
7 (10.9)
Marshall
11(27.8)
Tyler
Wetzel
Monongalia
3 (15.5)
11 (4.2)
Marion
3 (28.6)
15 (17.1)
Pleasants
Wood
Ritchie
5 (43.8)
Wirt
Jackson
Mason
2 (6.0)
1 (3.4)
Roane
Boone
1 (3.5)
2 (6.2)
3 (27.3)
Nicholas
Pocahontas
5 (16.3)
2 (21.1)
Greenbrier
Raleigh
14 (15.1)
Wyoming
Summers
1 (3.6)
3 (21.2)
14 (19.0)
Hardy
Webster
10 (25.5)
2 (7.1)
0 (0.00)
2 (16.2)
Pendleton
Fayette
Mercer
Grant
Tucker
1 (11.4)
3 (24.2)
McDowell
4 (15.2)
4 (11.1)
Braxton
14(24.9)
6 (14.6)
Hampshire
Upshur Randolph
5 (13.3)
Logan
Mingo
15 (12.9)
3 (19.9)
4 (15.2)
5 (9.8)
Mineral
9(25.2)
4 (18.9)
3 (17.2)
44 (20.0)
Lincoln
Wayne
Barbour
Clay
Kanawha
7 (19.3)
(13.2)
1 (9.9)
2 (23.3)
Putnam
Cabell 11 (17.9)
Berkeley
5 (26.6)
Cal- Gilmer 2 (10.4)
houn 2 (13.2)
4 (22.6)
18 (10.5)
Dodd- 11
ridge
Lewis
2 (28.3)
2 (11.8)
Preston
Harrison Taylor
0 (0.00)
9 (8.8)
Morgan
Monroe
1 (6.6)
14.6 – 43.8
10.9 – 13.3
0.00 – 10.5
Jefferson
4 (6.2)
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Increased school pressures as they
progress through higher grades
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First romantic relationships
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Increased independence and identity
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Experimenting with substance use
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Puberty and Hormone fluctuation
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Bullying
Erickson Developmental StageLearning Identity Versus
Identity Confusion (Fidelity)
Adolescent Ego
Imaginary Audience
Personal Fable
Learning Intimacy Versus
Isolation (Love)
Adolescence is a time of
profound brain growth.
 Greatest changes to the
brain that are responsible
for impulse control,
decision making, planning,
organization, and emotion
occur in adolescence
(prefrontal cortex).
 Do not reach full maturity
until age 25.
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Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual youth are 1 ½ - 7
times more likely to have reported ideation.
LGB Youth in multiple studies are found to be
3-4 times more likely to attempt suicide.
58% of LGB youth who had attempted suicide
reported they really hoped to die vs. 33% of
heterosexuals who attempted and reported
really hoping to die.
Have elevated risk factors and lower
protective factors
Suicide: Factorst
•Risk Factors- characteristics that will may it more
likely that an individual will consider, attempt, or die
by suicide
•Invitations/Clues- behaviors that indicate signs of
immediate risk
•Protective Factors- characteristics that make it less
likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by
suicide.
IS PATH WARM?sk Factors- IS
PATH WARM
 Ideation
 Substance
Abuse
 Purposelessness
 Anxiety
 Trapped
 Hopelessness
 Withdrawal
 Anger
 Recklessness
 Mood Changes
 Prior suicide attempts
 Mental health disorders
 History of trauma or abuse
 Family history of suicide
 Lack of social support
 Access to means
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Acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills
Talking about wanting to die or kill
oneself
Impulsivity/increased risk taking
Giving away prized possessions
Self-destructive acts (i.e., cutting)
Increased drug or alcohol abuse
Talking about no reason to live
“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.”
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Treatment for MH/SA, physical disorders
Increased access to interventions
Restricted access to highly lethal means
Strong connections to family and community
support
Strong problem-solving and conflict
resolution skills
Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage
suicide and support self-preservation
Listen and don’t show shock or
disapproval
Show that you care, it is more important
than saying “the right thing.”
Avoid trying to explain away the
feelings…(saying things like “you have a
lot to live for” or “you are just confused
right now”)
“You know when people are as upset
as you seem to be, they sometimes
wish they were dead, I was
wondering if you were feeling that
way too.”
“You look pretty miserable, I was
wondering if you were thinking
about suicide.”
“Are you thinking about killing
yourself?”
• Listen to the problem and
give them your full attention
• Remember, suicide is not the
problem, only the solution to
a perceived insoluble
problem
• Do not rush to judgment
• Offer hope in any form
• Find the life side
•Suicidal people often believe they can not be helped,
so you may have to do more.
•The best referral involves taking the person to
someone who can help.
•The next best referral is getting commitment from
them to accept help.
•The third best referral is to give referral information
and try to get a good faith commitment not to
complete or attempt suicide. Any willingness to accept
help at some time, even in the future is a good
outcome.
TO DO - Immediately
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KEEP SAFE Agreement
Disable the suicide plan (if
applicable)
Safety Contact (s)
Safety Plan
Notify Parents/Guardians
Safe/no use of alcohol and
drugs
Link to resources
Link to services
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Learn how to use the
SAFE-T approach.
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Explore interactive
sample case studies

Quickly access and
share information,
including crisis lines, fact
sheets, educational
opportunities, and
treatment resources.

Browse conversation
starters that provide
sample language and
tips for talking with
patients who may be in
need of suicide
intervention.
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Locate treatment
options, filter by type
and distance, and share
locations and resources
to provide timely
referrals for patients.
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Identify Risk Factors
Identify Protective Factors
Conduct Suicide Inquiry
Determine Risk Level/ Intervention
Document
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PHQ-9
▪ 9 items
▪ Over the last 2 weeks
▪ Assessment of depression and suicidality
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C-SSRS- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
▪ 6 Questions- Suicidal Thoughts and Ideations
▪ Free Web training
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ASAP-20
▪ Semi-structured clinical interview
▪ Assesses suicide risk and protective factors based on psychological
interviews
▪ Gives guidelines/documentation of next steps.
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www.sprc.org
www.wvaspen.com
www.preventsuicidewv.org
www.afsp.org
www.zerosuicide.com
www.wvsuicidecouncil.org
www.jasonfoundation.org
www.jedfoundation.org
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Signs of Suicide (SOS)
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Evidence-Based Middle School and High School programs
Brief Introductory Training
25 minute Video
Guided Discussion
Screening Instrument
Lifelines
 4- 45 minute sessions
 Teachers education
 Prevention, Intervention, Postvention
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More Than SAD
 Evidence-Based Middle School and High School programs
 Brief Introductory Training
 25 minute Video
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High School TOOLKIT
 Teachers education
 Prevention, Intervention, Postvention
 Guidelines
Patrick Tenney, BA
Northern Regional Director
304-296-1731 ext. 4197
ptenney@valleyhealthcare.org
Hope Siler, MA, LSW
Southern Regional Director
304-341-0511 ext. 1690
Hope.siler@prestera.org
Barri Sky Faucett, MA
Project Director
304-341-0511 ext. 1691
barri.faucett@prestera.org