[Counselor_Educ] FW: September is Suicide Prevention Month: Look Out for a Friend

Tue Sep 11 14:07:47 EDT 2018

FYI

From: Austin Lucas [mailto:support at ohiospf.org]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2018 11:00 AM
To: Svea <svea at ahv317.co.athens.oh.us<mailto:svea at ahv317.co.athens.oh.us>>
Subject: September is Suicide Prevention Month: Look Out for a Friend

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Look Out For a Friend this Suicide Prevention Awareness Month by Knowing the Warning Signs:
Dear Friends of OSPF,

It's the 2nd week of National Suicide Prevention Month!
In last week's email, you learned about suicide statistics and facts in order to understand the back drop of the suicide issue in Ohio and provide the context for effective suicide prevention strategies while Standing Up for a Friend.

Now that you know the facts and trends, the next step is to learn the suicide warning signs so that you can recognize when a friend is struggling. How well do you know the warning signs?

________________________________
 The goal this week is to learn some common examples (and a few not so common examples) of how suicide warning signs can manifest themselves. Most of the time, a person’s suicidal thoughts are expressed in some way; they just aren’t always recognized.

Even if you have seen the following list of suicide warning signs, they may manifest themselves in other ways, especially in adults versus youth/teens. Check out a list of classic suicide warning signs below:

  *   Previous suicide attempts
  *   Poor performance at work and/or school
  *   Giving away prized possessions
  *   Sudden and extreme changes in eating habits /losing or gaining weight
  *   Comorbid mental health disorders
  *   Withdrawal from family and/or friends
  *   A sudden increase in positive mood (after other indicators of suicidality/long-term depression)
  *   Sudden change in physical appearance and/or personality
  *   Thwarted belongingness
  *   Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself, even in a “joking” manner
  *   Talking about being a burden to others (Perceived burdensomeness)
  *   Sleeping too little or too much
  *   Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  *   Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  *   Excessive risk taking
Now, read a few examples of how these warning signs can be displayed differently in both youth and adults. If you notice that a teen or adult is expressing a number of these warning signs, then it may be time to talk to him or her.

[LookOut4Friend]
<http://ohiospf.org/content.php?pageurl=ocfh>

Example 1: Withdrawal from family and/or friends

     Possible representation in teens and youth: You may notice that a teen is spending more time in his or her bedroom and is not hanging out with his or her friends anymore. Initially, this teen may have been very outgoing, involved in many after school activities, and hung out with friends on a regular basis. Now, it seems like this teen is wanting to isolate himself or herself from everyone, including family and close friends.

     Possible representation in adults: Beforehand, your best friend used to go to trivia nights with you twice a week at your favorite bar. It was rare if he missed even one outing. Now, it seems like he is making up excuses each time and staying at home. Sometimes he just doesn’t even bother to let you know that he isn’t coming or doesn’t answer your texts or calls.

Example 2: Excessive risk taking

    Possible representation in teens and youth: About 6 months ago, your teen’s long-term girlfriend of 2 years dumped him. Recently, you have noticed that he is bringing home different girls every week to hang out. You ask him if he is having sex with these girls and he discloses that he is having unprotected sex with most of them. You bring up the risk of STDs and pregnancy, and he simply brushes it off and says he doesn’t really care.

    Possible representation in adults: You notice that your adult sister who has always been fiscally responsible (pays mortgage on time, has a 401(k), has a college fund for her children, etc.) is suddenly taking a bunch of sick days from work and dipping into her savings and retirement funds. Additionally, she is spending a large portion of this money on alcohol and going to bars. She says that this is the only way she can feel anything anymore.

Example 3: Thwarted Belongingness

    Possible representation in teens and youth: You notice that your 19 year old son who recently just started attending the college of his dreams is beginning to say things like “I feel like I’m not smart enough to go to school here”, or “I feel like a loser on this campus”. He has always received good grades, and continues to do so, yet he doesn’t believe that he deserves to go to this university.

    Possible representation in adults: You and your friends are a part of a closely-knit friend circle and practically do everything together on the weekends. Recently, however, one of your buddies has revealed to you that he doesn’t think that anyone likes him from the friend group anymore despite not being able to give any reasons as to why he has this thought. As a result, he has been isolating himself from the friend group.

Example 4: Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

    Possible representation in teens and youth: You notice that a tenth grade student of yours who gets picked on and bullied in school has been making comments such as “you all are going to be sorry when I’m gone”. Moreover, the student has been slamming his books and other belongings around in extreme frustration.

    Possible representation in adults: Your best friend is currently in the middle of a rough divorce. He has mentioned to you in the past that his wife never took his mental health struggles and depression seriously. After sharing a few beers with you one night, he says that his wife will never get the satisfaction of divorcing him because he will be dead before it is finalized. (note: this sign is also coupled with “talking about wanting to die or kill oneself, even in a joking manner)

Example 5:  Sudden change in physical appearance and/or personality

    Possible representation in teens and youth: Some teens go through a phase where they change clothing/hair styles. This is a normal part of adolescence and expressionism. It becomes worrisome when this teen is also expressing other signs of suicidal ideation listed above. For instance, your 17 year old son who has always expressed interest in becoming a doctor, recently started getting very large tattoos on his neck and forearm. In addition to not grooming himself nearly as much, he isn’t showing as much interest in his future aspirations.

    Possible representation in adults: You begin noticing that one of your best employees has started to look physically unwell for the past couple of months. Typically, this employee is one of the best-dressed (wears suit and tie almost everyday) and is in usually in an upbeat mood. Now, he looks like he has bloodshot eyes all of the time, wears the same pair of clothes a few times a week, and is letting his facial hair go ungroomed. Additionally, he has taken quite a few sick days and his work performance is lowering.
 Notice: This is not a comprehensive list of all the suicide warning signs, rather it is to be used as a set of examples of what to look out for when you are concerned for a friend or family member.

Stay tuned for next week’s theme: Talk to a Friend to learn about conversation to help you feel confident in having a tough conversation with someone you care about when you notice the warning sign listed above!

Sincerely,

Austin Lucas
Grant Coordinator
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
1225 Dublin Rd., Suite 125
Columbus, OH 43215
austin.lucas at ohiospf.org<mailto:austin.lucas at ohiospf.org>
614-429-1528
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