LISD Flyer: Suicide Prevention(Eng)

It is critically important for parents and caregivers to have awareness of suicide, as well as, prevention and intervention strategies because of the central role you play in your child's emotional well-being, safety, and life. When parents and caregivers are informed, open, and attentive, you can best help support your child through the ups and downs of life.

Per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• A suicide attempt is when someone intentionally tries to end their life by inflicting self-harm, but they do not die as a result.
  
• Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die
  

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for youth (ages 10-24)
• Daily in the United States, there are an average of over 5,400 suicide attempts by youth (in grades 7th-12th)
• Four out of five teenagers who attempt suicide (80 percent) have given clear warning signs

It's important to never leave someone alone if they are threatening suicide. Call 9-1-1 or take the person to an emergency room or walk-in clinic at a hospital immediately.

• Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
• Impulsivity and poor coping skills
• Perfectionism or extreme fear of failure
• Lack of emotional support or supervision
• Mental health conditions left untreated (anxiety, depression, etc.)
• History of suicide (familial or past attempts)
• Bullying/cyberbullying
• Social isolation/loneliness/peer rejection

*Please note that it does not mean that all students with one or more risk factors will attempt suicide.

• Directly talking, writing, or drawing about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Saying things like: "I wish I were dead" or "You'd be better off without me" or "I can't take this anymore" or "I just want it all to stop."
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or usual activities
• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or mood swings
• Loss of interest in hobbies or things they used to enjoy
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
• Self-harming behaviors (Non-suicidal self-injury such as cutting, can be a red flag)
• Sudden changes in sleeping/eating patterns
• Drastic changes in appearance or hygiene
• Skipping school, failing grades, or loss of motivation

• Strong coping skills and ability to manage stress
• Positive self-esteem and self-worth
• Belief that life has purpose and meaning
• Hopefulness about the future
• Resilience (ability to bounce back after setbacks)
• Good problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Connectedness to trusted adults (parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, etc.)
• Open, honest communication at home
• Supportive peer relationships
• Sense of being valued and accepted by others
• Participation in extracurricular activities, clubs, or sports
• Positive role models (in media, family, and community)

While risk factors increase the likelihood of suicidal behavior, protective factors reduce that risk and can even counterbalance risk in many cases. Fostering these in everyday life helps build a young person’s emotional safety net.

Talking to a child or teen about suicide is a sensitive but essential conversation. To be most effective, it's important to be proactive by starting the conversation as early as possible. Parents and caregivers play a powerful role in preventing youth suicide.

Here's what they can do to support their child's mental health and safety.

Try to encourage your child(ren) by:

• Learning the warning signs and being alert to changes in mood, behavior, sleep, grades, and social withdrawal. If you see any changes, start asking questions.
• Talking openly about mental health and suicide. Ask directly, "Are you thinking about hurting yourself?" This does not cause suicidal thoughts. Let your child know it's safe to talk and that you're there to listen without judgment to keep them safe.
• Being present and supportive. Help your child to feel heard, loved, and accepted. Avoid minimizing their feelings ("You're just dramatic!")--instead, say, "That sounds really hard. I'm here for you."
• Helping to strengthen connections. Help your child maintain healthy friendships and involvement in school, sports, clubs, or creative outlets. Encourage positive relationships with a variety of trusted adults (teachers, coaches, mentors, etc.)
• Limiting access to lethal means. Secure firearms, medications, and sharp objects.
• Modeling healthy coping skills. Share how you handle stress, disappointment, and conflict. Show that it's okay to ask for help or take breaks when overwhelmed.
• Seeking professional help early. Don't wait for a crisis. If your child shows signs of distress, contact your student's school counselor, a mental health provider, or your pediatrician.
• Taking every threat seriously. If your child expresses suicidal thoughts, act immediately. Call 988, take them to the Emergency Room, and/or reach out to a crisis service.

Reminder: If you're ever unsure, it's always better to ask than to stay silent. Asking directly about suicide does NOT put the idea in their head—it opens a door for help.

You don’t have to be a mental health expert—just a caring, consistent presence in your child’s life. Showing love, listening, and staying engaged truly can make all the difference.

Often times youth will go to their peers when they're having suicidal thoughts. Our students need to be prepared with what to do when a friend or classmate confides in them about suicide.

Remind your students to:

• Take their friend's outcries and/or actions seriously. We can never assume they're joking or being dramatic.
• Talk to a trusted adult immediately and don't try to help the friend alone. We can never keep these types of thoughts/behaviors a secret. Find a teacher, school counselor, school nurse, parent, caregiver, or coach--someone who can act. Even if the friend begs you not to tell, it's important to get them help. It's not a betrayal of the friend--it's potentially saving a life.
• Be there, but set boundaries. Stay supportive and check-in, but remember: You cannot be their only support--if you feel like they're not getting the help they need, continue to tell a trusted adult about the concerns you have for your friend.

Reach out to your student's school counselor today! 😀