Prevention: American Adolescents SYDNEY WHITE, CAPSTONE 2018 AVON HIGH SCHOOL

The Question: Is suicide preventable, and if so, how?

THE POPULATION THE ANSWER THE EVIDENCE The studies I focused on were Plain and simple: yes, suicide The answer to this question representative of adolescents is preventable. Yet the manifests itself through aged 14-21 years old, of all reasoning for this is not as various studies and statistics, races living in America. black and white. many of which I obtained through my internship at UConn Health.

Lesbian, , and bisexual kids are 3x 2nd leading cause of Four out of Five teens who attempt more likely than straight kids to death in ages 10-24 (CDC suicide have given clear warning attempt suicide at some point in 2015). signs (Jason Foundation). their lives

KEY FACTS ABOUT ADOLESCENT SUICIDE

More teenagers and young adults die from The prevalence of suicidal thoughts, suicidal suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, planning and suicide attempts is significantly birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, higher among adolescents than among adults and chronic lung disease, COMBINED (Jason aged 30+. (CDC 2015) Foundation). • Over the course of three Add a Slide Title - 3 months, I participated in an internship with Dr. Sara My Internship: Wakai, who works in at the UConn UConn Health Health Department of Medicine. SUMMER 2017 • The internship was through an optional program offered at Avon High School. Why is suicide prevention so important?

• As someone who just graduated from high school, I have noticed the lack of a focus on mental health in the school system.

• Health and Wellness class is only required for one full year of high school, and there are no lessons on suicide, depression, or other mental health issues.

• Suicide rates within the community have risen, and affected the student body as well.

• Cultural implications: “13 Reasons Why”

• As a teenager, friends are the first ones we go to when we are in crisis.

• Social media is the most popular way to express feelings “Signs of Suicide”

• Handbooks with CD’s for High School and Middle School classes. • Includes examples of scenarios which teach children how to spot warning signs or get help. • Shows what depression is, and how you can help a friend. • Outlines risk factors, mental illness, and warning signs. THE FACTS “As demonstrated in previous evaluations, participation in the SOS program was associated with lower rates of at 3 months following the program. As in previous studies, the SOS program was associated with an increase in students’ knowledge of, and favorable attitudes toward, getting help for themselves or friends with depression and/or suicidal thoughts”

Safe Messaging: The key to successful prevention. Do’s and Don'ts of Safe Messaging (Gould)

DO’S DON'TS • Emphasize help-seeking and provide • Don’t glorify or romanticize suicide or information on finding help. people who have died by suicide. They should not be held up as role models. • Do emphasize prevention. Reinforce the fact that there are preventative actions • Don’t normalize suicide by presenting it as a common event. individuals can take. • Don’t present suicide as an inexplicable act • Do list the warning signs, as well as risk and or explain it as a result of stress only. protective factors of suicide. Teach people how to tell if they or someone they know • Don’t focus on personal details of people may be thinking of harming themselves. who have died by suicide.

• Do highlight effective treatments for • Don’t present overly detailed descriptions underlying mental health problems. of suicide victims or methods of suicide.

GOOD SAFE MESSAGING

BAD SAFE MESSAGING Add a Slide Title - 3 • School Psychologist Board of Education Further • Capstone Distinction Award Implications • The need for post-vention in

the community MY PROTOTYPE SITE: https://sydo2010.wixsite.com/yo uareworthit Works Cited

“Facts for Families .” Suicide in Children and Teens, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry , Oct. 2017, www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Teen-Suicide-010.aspx.

Gould , Madelyn. “Safe and Effective Messaging for Suicide Prevention .” Suicide Prevention Resource Center, SPRC, www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/migrate/library/SafeMessagingrevised.pdf.

“THE MYTHS & FACTS OF YOUTH SUICIDE.” Office of Suicide Prevention, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, suicideprevention.nv.gov/Youth/Myths/.

“Risk Factors for Suicide .” Risk Factors for Suicide, Beyond Blue, www.google.com/search?q=suicide+risk+factors&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjowp36xKDYAhUExoMKHYvJDck Q_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=655#imgrc=Napny9dLcKD0iM:

“Suicide Myths.” Pinterest , www.pinterest.com/pin/410601691012526944/.

Warning Signs & Risk Factors. American Association of , www.suicidology.org/ncpys/warning-signs-risk-factors.

“.” Some Warning Signs of Suicide , Beyond Blue, healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/images/default- source/5.resources/youth-suicide-parent-page-images/risk-factors.jpg?sfvrsn=55bd70ea_0.

“Youth Suicide Statistics.” Parent Resource Program, The Jason Foundation , prp.jasonfoundation.com/facts/youth-suicide- statistics/.