Do Now:
 List myths or facts you may know about suicide.
Did you know?
Preventing Suicide
Pg. 93
Facts About Suicide
 Suicide: is the act of intentionally taking one’s own
life.
 The truth is that most people who attempt suicide
don’t want to die. They feel helpless about how to
end their emotional pain.
 Suicide is NEVER the solution.
 Ask someone for help is the first step in making
yourself feel better.
 Suicide is an uncomfortable topic for many people.
Knowing the Following
Truths can help prevent it.
 Many people who have considered suicide considered it
only for a brief period in their life.
 Most people who have attempted suicide and failed are
usually grateful to be alive.
 Suicide does not happen without warning. People who
have attempted suicide often asked for help in an
indirect way. All talk of suicide should be taken
seriously.
 The use of drugs or alcohol can put people at risk of
acting on suicidal thoughts because their judgment is
impaired.
Warning Signs for Suicide
 Feeling hopeless
 Withdrawing from family and friends
 Neglecting basic needs
 Experiencing loss of energy
 Taking more risks
 Using alcohol and drugs
 Giving away personal things
Teens and Suicide
 The fifth leading cause of death for ages 25-64.
 The third leading cause of death for people between the
ages of 15-24.
 You are the best person to protect yourself from it.
 Physical and Emotional changes could make teens feel
more emotional, impulsive, and focused on today.
 As you get older, you will gain more experience, connect
with people, and become more independent.
 Greater awareness of who you are, what you value, and
what you need.
Teens often feel…
1.
Impulsive: What you can
do: Stop and think about
the consequences before
you act.
2.
Focused on today: What
you can do: Don’t use
permanent solutions to
solve temporary problems.
3.
Highly Emotional: What
you can do: Hang in there,
and talk to your parents, a
friend, or a trusted adult
when you need support.
Words that Warn
 “I wish I were dead.”
 “I just want to go to sleep and never wake up.”
 “I won’t be a problem for you much longer.”
 “I can’t take it anymore.”
 “This pain will be over soon.”
 “Nothing matters.”
CDC Adolescent Risk
Behaviors
 Data on sadness and suicide ideation and attempts were
collected by high school survey:
 Nationwide, 28.3 percent of students had felt so sad for
two or more weeks in a row that they had ceased some
of their regular activities.
 Nationwide, 19 percent had seriously considered
attempting suicide.
 Nationwide, 14.8 percent of students had specific plans
on how to attempt suicide.
 Nationwide, 8.8 percent of students had attempted to kill
themselves at least one time least year.
Class Activity
 Please read the following story. As a class we will
discuss and evaluate the following situation.
Situation:
 Jamal suspects that his friend Tim is
severely depressed because Tim’s
older sister died. Tim quit the tennis
team and has withdrawn from his
friends. One day, Tim mentioned that
he wished it was he who died instead
of his sister. What should Jamal do?
Giving and Getting Help
The following things you can do if a
friend has talked about suicide:
 Take all talk of suicide seriously.
 Tell your friend that suicide is not the answer.
 Change negative thoughts into positive thoughts.
 Don’t keep a secret.
 Anyone who is suicidal needs professional help and cannot fix
the problem by himself or herself. Get help for a friend who is
suicidal.
 Most cities have a variety of health organizations that offer
services to people in need. Some of these services are free. A
parent or guardian can help you find the right organization.
Tell someone and to get the help that you or a friend needs.
Written Quiz
Section 8 Review
 Go to page 96. Answer questions 1-9 in complete
sentences.
 Exit Slip:
 List 4 signs of Warnings for Suicide.
 List 4 phrases of “Words that Warn”.