Suicide Prevention Series

Learn the evidence based approach to RECOGNIZE the signs of someone contemplating suicide, how to RESPOND when they open up to you about their pain, and where to REFER them to so they can receive the care they need. Each night you will learn one piece of this puzzle, with each night building on what was learned the night before. There is no need to register, just show up ready to discuss this tough topic, stripping it of its power and stigma in our community. If you are unable to attend each night, take advantage of it being livestreamed and recorded, available to you at any time

Recognize

RECOGNIZE (Night One) This workshop is to not to train to you to be a suicide interventionist or to be used as formal mental health education. You are here as a neighbor in a community learning how to talk and address the issues of suicide and how to lead those in your life to resources that have the training and experience to give them appropriate help.

1. The Myths:

a. Suicidal people are selfish.

b. Suicidal people are just looking for attention.

c. Suicidal people are crazy.

d. Suicidal people want to die.

e. Suicidal people are going to hell.

f. Suicidal people are weak.

g. Not impulsive.

Why would anyone do this? (Feel like a burden, feeling like you don’t belong, coupled with capacity.)

2. The Facts

a. Suicide rates in America/ Rates in Minnesota.

b. Suicide and Gender

c. LGBTQ and Non-Binary (among youth)

d. Suicide and Ethnicity

e. Suicide and Age

f. Suicide and Marital Status

g. Most Common Methods of Dying by Suicide

3. The Signs/ Risk Factors

a. Heath Factors

b. Individual Factors

c. Environmental Factors

d. Historical Factors

e. Mental Health Factors

4. The Warning Signs

a. Verbal Sings

b. Behavioral Signs

c. Mood Signs

5. Your Role

a. Trust your gut!

b. Think about the risk.

c. The most important role…

CALL 1-1800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Respond

This workshop is to not to train to you to be a suicide interventionist or to be used as formal mental health education. You are here as a neighbor in a community learning how to talk and address the issues of suicide and how to lead those in your life to resources that have the training and experience to give them appropriate help.

1. How We Increase Prevention:

a. How we respond in our communities and lives of those we love.

b. We do not increase the rates of Suicide by talking about it.

c. You will not make someone suicidal by asking the question.

d. Family discussions

e. Workplace trainings.

f. Suicide Response Plan

g. Open our eyes, hearts and hands.

NOBODY IS AN ISLAND.

2. Suicidal Ideation Protocol:

a. Empathetic Thoughts.

b. Ideation.

c. Contemplation.

d. Preparation.

e. Action.

3. How to Ask:

a. Don’t panic.

b. Why is it hard?

c. How to ask?

4. What To So If They Say They’re Thinking About Taking Their Own Life?!

a. Be present.

b. Let them see you see them.

c. Talk about their value/ worth.

d. Try to understand.

e. Don’t judge.

f. Point to the meaning of life.

g. Help them find hope.

5. How Not to Ask:

a. Don’t speak to what you don’t know.

b. Don’t be dismissive.

c. Don’t avoid.

d. Don’t try to overcome the moment by being super happy.

e. Don’t Preach.

f. Don’t Argue.

6. Provide Alternatives

CALL 1-1800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Refer

When to Refer
1. Words Matter
  1. Plan
  2. Means
  3. Access
2. Response Protocol
  1. Empathetic
  2. Ideation
  3. Contemplation
  4. Preparation
  5. Action
How to Refer
1. Don’t Leave
2. Check Your Safety
3. Make a Plan
4. If All Else Fails
5. It’s Not Over
Where to Refer
1. Get Info
  1. Community Assets
  2. Healthcare Professionals
  3. Local/ Regional/ National Crisis Lines
  4. Put it in your phone.
2. Ask Who Has Training
  1. Churches
  2. Community Organizations (Veteran Affairs)
  3. County Health Department
  4. Law Enforcement/ EMS
  5. Colleges/ Schools
3. Share
  1. Circles
  2. Friends
  3. Work
  4. Community Problem… Community Solution
Last Things
1. Let them be mad
2. Remember Duty to Warn
3. What About Confidentiality?