The Jason Foundation, Inc.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
A Youth Curriculum Unit
for the awareness and
prevention of
Youth Suicide
www.jasonfoundation.com
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Lesson A
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
In 1999, U.S. Surgeon
General, Dr. David Satcher,
declared suicide as a
“National Health Problem”…
especially within the youth
and elderly populations.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
•Suicide in the general population had been in the top
ten leading causes of death for the past 30 years.
•Due to several reasons, very little had been done to
confront the problem.
•Reasons include lack of knowledge about the subject
and the stigma surrounding the topic of suicide.
•These caused a lack of funding to develop
prevention and awareness programs.
•Dr. Satcher’s report specifically listed suicide as a
major national concern for youth and the elderly.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
•After a two year nationwide fact finding and resource
gathering campaign, the Surgeon General released
the “National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.” This
became known as the “Call to Action.”
•We are now better equipped with the information and
resources needed to help a friend who may be
depressed, having trouble in relationships, or may be
considering suicide.
•Suicide has been labeled as the number one
preventable cause of death in our nation today. It is
preventable because, for those individuals who need
it, there is help available that can make a positive
difference in their lives.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Purpose of this lesson:
1. Learn about the current statistics and some
common myths that surround the topic of suicide.
2. Learn about some behaviors that are often shown
by a young person who is depressed or thinking
about suicide.
3. Learn some ways you can help a fiend who may
be depressed or considering suicide.
4. Explore some resources that you could turn to if a
friend needs help.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Jason’s Story
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Jason's Story (A Father's Letter)
Dear Friend,
Jason was my youngest son. He was an average 16-year old. He got mostly B’s on
his report card, and he loved sports. Especially football. He was active in his youth
group and he had a lot of friends. Jason was the one who was always up for going
places and trying new things. From all appearances...my son loved life.
But on July 16th, 1997, everything changed. My son, Jason became a statistic of the
silent epidemic of youth suicide. In trying to come to terms with what happened, I
began researching youth suicide. The statistics are alarming. Did you know on
average, over 100 young people this week will become victims of youth suicide?
But-youth suicide can be prevented.
That’s what The Jason Foundation is all about. I urge you to get involved. Together
we can help stop this epidemic. Ask for our material. Read it. Then share it with your
friends and others. Please help us reach out to hurting teens with another choice another way to handle life’s problems, pressures and disappointments.
I will never hug my son again. But I can and will work alongside you -- perhaps to
save your friend, your neighbor’s child, a relative or even your own son or daughter.
Thank you for your help.
Clark Flatt
President / CEO
The Jason Foundation, Inc.
http://www.jasonfoundation.com/index.php
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Let’s see what
you already
know about the
problem of
Youth Suicide.
Questions
True
or
False
Question 1
Suicide is the THIRD
leading cause of death
among young people
between the ages of 10
and 24.
Answer
TRUE
First leading cause is accidents of all kinds; homicides
are second.
In the
United States
How many young
people do we lose,
each year, to suicide?
It is estimated that
We will lose
approximately 5,000
young people to
suicide each year.
For example, this would be enough people to fill our
gym over three times. By the time our freshman
class graduates, 20,000 young people will have
lost their lives to suicide.
Each week,
We lose approximately
100 young people to
the “Silent Epidemic”
of youth suicide.
If there were a virus or bacteria sweeping the
country causing these deaths, would we hear
about it anywhere? The problem with the silent
epidemic of suicide is that we are losing about
100 young people each week but no one is willing
to talk about it.
• Many experts believe that the total
number of young people we lose
each year is more than 5,000.
• Some experts feel the actual
number of youth suicides could be
10% to 30% higher than reported
because of misreporting.
What could be a misreported
suicide???
Many suicides are
incorrectly reported as
accidents; such as car
accidents, drug overdose,
etc.
What do you think is needed
to classify something as a
suicide???
Evidence such as a note, a
witness, etc.
If no evidence is found, many
times the death will be
classified as an accident.
Knowing this do you agree
with the experts who believe
there are more suicides than
reported???
Question 2
People who talk about
or threaten suicide
rarely die by suicide.
Answer
FALSE
•
•
•
•
•
•
This is a common myth believed by many people. It
is totally untrue.
Many times people who are thinking about suicide
make statements or threats about it:
– “I’d be better off if I weren’t even here”
– “I won’t be bothering you much longer”
People who talk about suicide are thinking about it
and should be taken seriously.
If they are not suicidal, it is obvious that they are
not happy.
Ask questions and find out what is so wrong in
their lives.
They are desperately asking for help. We want to
be able to provide that help.
Question 3
Approximately one
young person dies by
suicide every 2 hours.
Answer
TRUE
• Some parent loses a son or daughter to suicide
approximately every two hours.
• If you allow for misreported suicides, some
experts believe that the rate is every 1 hour
and 15 minutes or even more frequent
• From the time you get up in the morning until
school begins, one young person in the United
States has died by suicide. During the time it
takes you to enjoy a movie or a basketball
game, another young person has died because
of suicide.
Question 4
Talking to someone
about suicidal feelings
may cause them to
attempt suicide.
Answer
FALSE
•
This is another common myth believed by many
people. It is totally untrue.
•
Talking about it can only help if done in a
compassionate and knowledgeable manner.
•
The thoughts of suicide come from a feeling of
hopelessness and the belief that no can help them!
• Have you ever had a problem that worried you so
much that you could not sleep?
• When you finally dealt with the problem by
talking to your girlfriend or boyfriend, parent or
teacher (whomever), did it relieve some of the
pressure?
• It is the same with young people who are thinking
about suicide.
• They do not want to die; they want the pain to go
away.
• Helping your friend get that pain “out on the
table”, and talk about it, will only relieve some of
the pressure and together you can begin to look
for much better ways to solve their problems.
• Time takes care of most all of our individual
problems.
• You must give yourself time because time will
change our circumstances.
• Young people who take their own lives cut off
their time. They do not wait to experience the
changes that will surely come. Whatever seems
so hard or bad today may be gone tomorrow. We
must wait to se what better things are in the
future.
• How do you think talking about feelings and
what causes those feelings can help a person
in trouble???
Identify the problem,
discover solutions,
realize you are not
alone, etc.
Question 5
Suicide is Preventable.
Answer
TRUE
What makes suicide
preventable???
• We would want to stop
someone from hurting our
friend so we have the right to
stop our friend from hurting
himself/herself.
• We want to be able to
recognize the need and
know what to do.
Question 6
People who are
contemplating suicide
almost always tell
someone beforehand.
Answer
TRUE
• In almost 70% of suicides, the person shared
his/her thoughts or intentions with a friend,
teacher, or other important person in his/her
life before the attempt or completion.
• They may say something like:
– “I’d be better off dead!”
– “You won’t have to worry about me much
longer.”
– Sometimes they will actually say “I am going to
kill myself.”
In fact,
In almost 70% of all
suicides the person
told someone their
intentions at least
ONE hour before.
Why didn’t that person say anything about
what they had been told?
Youth Suicide
Statistics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for
young people, ages 10 to 24.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for
college-age youth.
Youth suicides have tripled since the late 1960s.
Approximately 100 young people lose their
lives to suicide in the U.S. every week.
There has been over a 100% increase in
suicides for 10 to 14 year olds since 1980.
More teenagers and young adults are lost to
suicide than die from cancer, heart disease,
AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia,
influenza and chronic lung disease, combined.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Lesson B
“Choices”
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Lesson C
Just a Bad Day or
Something More…
There are times when most of
us feel sad or down. What are
some words that describe
how you feel on those really
bad days???
Just a Bad Day or
Something More…
Lonely
Bored
Tired
Misunderstood
Frustrated
etc.
Just a Bad Day or
Something More…
•
•
•
•
•
•
Is it normal to have a “bad” day?
Do you think everyone feels sad or
down at times?
What are some words you use to
describe how you feel on your bad days.
Does anyone notice when you are
having a bad day? If yes, who?
How do you know they notice?
How can you determine if it is more
than “just a bad day”?
Just a Bad Day or
Something More…
•
•
•
Things happen in our lives that cause us concern
and sometimes unhappiness.
Failed relationships and failed dreams can be very
difficult:
– Not making a team
– Not winning an election
– Divorce in the family
– Breaking up with girlfriends or boyfriends
– Bad grades
– Traumatic events
– Feeling humiliated or ashamed
How are you going to know if your friend is just
having a bad day, or if there is something
more???
Signs of Concern
Let’s look at some signs of concern
(warning signs) that may indicate a
person might be having thoughts of
suicide.
•
•
•
•
•
Suicide Threats
Previous Suicide Attempts
Sudden Changes in Behavior
Depression
Final Arrangements
Suicide Threats
•
•
•
•
•
•
“I would be better off dead.”
“You won’t have me around to bother
you much longer!”
“I wish I was dead.”
“I wish I could go to sleep and never
wake up.”
“I am going to kill myself.” (This is
very straight forward, but it
happens.)
Can you think of any other comments you
have heard that would lead you to be
concerned about a friend???
Previous
Suicide Attempts
•
Four out of five completed suicides
are not the first attempt.
•
Physical mutilation (cutting) is a sign
of wanting to hurt one’s self
physically to relieve an emotional
pain…it can sometimes lead to
suicidal thoughts or attempts.
•
Even if the attempt seems to be “only
for attention”, take it as a serious cry
for help and seek help immediately.
Previous
Suicide Attempts
Why would someone make
a suicide attempt???
Previous
Suicide Attempts
• To see if it hurts
• To see if they can go through
with it
• Most common reason – to see
if anyone notices that they are
in pain. Will anyone help
them???
Sudden Changes
in
Behavior
• A loud person becomes quiet and
•
•
•
•
•
reserved or a quiet person becomes
loud and obvious.
A person withdraws from activities
he or she used to enjoy.
A gentle person becomes aggressive
and angers easily.
An outgoing person becomes
withdrawn.
Declining grades or changes in class
attendance.
For some people these are their normal behaviors and/or personality
traits. It is when there is a sudden change that we need to be diligent
and pay close attention.
Depression
• Feeling sad or hopeless every day
for two weeks or longer
• Feelings of being alone or of no
one caring
• Sleeplessness or wanting to sleep
an abnormal amount of time
• Eating disorders - eating too much
or not enough
• Lack of interest in activities once
enjoyed
Final
Arrangements
•
Giving away “prized possessions”
•
“Making rounds”
•
Sharing of funeral plans
•
If you have seen two or more of the other four warning signs
and then see this one, it could indicate that the situation is
more critical.
•
•
•
•
•
Favorite piece of jewelry or clothing
Driver’s license
Collection – cards, music, etc.
Visiting friends to set things right
and / or say good-bye.
Primarily by girls to a best friend.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Lesson D
“Choices”
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Lesson E
How to Help
Talk, Listen and Respond with:
L. I. F. E.
Listen
Insist on honesty
Feelings - share them
Extend a helping hand
L.I.F.E.
IT’S ABOUT LIVING LIFE!
L – represents the very first thing you must
do. LISTEN
I – represents the second thing you can do to
help. INSIST ON HONESTY
F – stands for the third thing you can do to
help your friend, talk about FEELINGS,
yours and theirs.
E – is for EXTEND A HELPING HAND.
with your friend to get help.
Go
Resources for Help
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Favorite Teacher or Coach
Parent
Minister/Clergy
Guidance Counselor
Medical Doctor
Other Trusted Adult
Local Crisis Line
Local Mental Health Center
Friends Helping
Friends
•
If you see any of the signs
mentioned in a friend or a
classmate, tell a responsible adult
immediately.
•
Be willing to risk your friendship
to save a friend.
REMEMBER
Your knowledge of suicidal ideation
could save someone’s life.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
Rascal Flatts
B1 Project
B1 Project
•
Rascal Flatts and The
Jason Foundation are
working together to
prevent youth suicide.
•
Rascal Flatts became JFI
Ambassadors in June
2010.
•
Theme is “Someone you
know may need a friend,
B1.
•
B1 encourages young
people to “B Aware, B
Able, and B Prepared”
for their friends who may
be struggling with suicidal
thoughts.
www.rascalflattsb1.com
The Jason Foundation, Inc.
“A Promise for Tomorrow”
A Youth Curriculum Unit
for the awareness and
prevention of
Youth Suicide
www.jasonfoundation.com