What are the risk factors for youth suicide?

• Behavioral health issues disorder
• Personal characteristics
• Adverse stressful life circumstances
• Family characteristics
• Environmental factors
• Risky behaviors

What are the suicide warning signs you need to look out for?

• Negative view of self
• A sense of hopelessness or no hope for the future
• Isolation or feeling alone
• Aggressiveness and irritability
• Possessing lethal means
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Drastic changes in mood and behavior
• Frequently talking about death
• Self-harm (ie: cutting behaviors)
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Making funeral arrangements
• Substance abuse
• Making suicide threats

What are some important risk factors for suicide?

• History of substance abuse
• Physical disability or illness
• Losing a friend or family member to suicide
• Ongoing exposure to bullying behavior
• Mental health condisitons
• The recent death of a family member or close friend
• Access to harmful means
• Relationship problems
• Previous suicide attempts

What can parents do to foster protective factors?

• Teach your kids it is okay to ask for help
• Give them permission to talk about *traumatic* events in their lives
• Help them identify trusted adults
• Encourage participation in school and community activities
• Acknowledge their efforts
• Be a good listener and validate their feelings
• Model healthy adjustment to adversity

What to do when your child is experiencing a crisis?

• Don’t leave them alone
• Don’t panic
• Don’t be judgmental
• Don’t under-react or minimize
• Do validate their feelings
• Do ensure they are physically safe
• Do reach out to others who can assist
• Do be present

What does SAS do when a child is experiencing a suicide ideation?

• Assess magnitude
• Focus on safety and security
• Allow for venting and validating
• Plan and prepare
• Contact parents
• Refer to mental health providers
• Consult with administration/school psychologists
• Work with teachers/advisor
• Work plans of supports