SUICIDE PREVENTION POSTVENTION BEST PRACTICES FOR CAMPUS PROFESSIONALS

SUICIDE PREVENTION & POSTVENTION: BEST PRACTICES FOR CAMPUS PROFESSIONALS Meggen Tucker Sixbey, Ph. D, LMHC, LMFT Associate Director & Clinical Associate Professor University of Florida, Counseling & Wellness Center

Learning Objectives Acquire information related to suicide prevalence Identify common myths surrounding suicidality Identify common warning signs surrounding suicidality Explore ways campus professionals can engage in conversations around suicidal concerns

SARAH

Polling Question Suicide is the _______ leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 -24. A. 1 st B. 2 nd C. 3 rd D. 5 th E. 10 th

◦ 48, 344 suicides in U. S. in 2018 ◦ 10 th ranking cause of death in U. S. Suicide Is Everyone’s Business ◦ 2 nd ranking cause of death for young (15 -24) ◦ 1: 25; 1: 100 -200; 1: 4 ◦ 3. 5 male to female deaths ◦ 3 female to male attempts ◦ Florida ranks 24 th of 50 states

Suicide Is Everyone’s Business ◦ 56% of students report feeling hopeless within the last 12 months ◦ 45% of students report feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function within the last 12 months ◦ 13% of students report seriously considering suicide within the last 12 months

Polling Question Asking someone directly about suicide will give them the idea if they haven’t previously thought about it. A. True B. False

Common Suicide Myths ◦ Confronting a person about suicide will only make someone angry and increase the risk of suicide ◦ Only experts can prevent suicide ◦ People who complete suicide don’t show signs ◦ No one can stop a suicide, it’s inevitable

◦ Suicidal thoughts are not the problem but the perception of a solution to the problem Food For Thought ◦ Suicidal thoughts are a normal, common, human reaction to pain ◦ Suicidal thoughts are not a sign of psychopathology that must be eliminated but rather communication of the individual’s distress

People Say Things Clues & Warning Signs People Do Things Just Happen

HOW CAMPUS PROFESSIONALS CAN HELP

◦ Say something! ◦ Ask clarifying questions Tips: Initiating Conversations About Suicide ◦ Slow down! ◦ Show empathy and build rapport ◦ Use person’s language ◦ Validate and reassure

Polling Question It is most helpful to ask directly about suicide if you are concerned about someone. A. True B. False

ASK DIRECTLY! (Or find someone who can!) ◦ Are you thinking of killing yourself? ◦ Are you thinking of suicide? ◦ Are you thinking of taking your life? ◦ Are you thinking of ending your life? ◦ What about: Are you thinking of hurting yourself?

I’m worried I see I hear I care Connect to Resources

Postvention ◦ The provision of psychological support, crisis intervention and other forms of assistance to those affected by a suicide ◦ Dramatically decreases the rates of additional suicides amongst groups ◦ Activities which reduce risk and promote healing after a suicide death ◦ A series of planned interventions with those affected by suicide HEMHA Postvention Guide (endorsed by SPRC)

POSTVENTION AT UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

QUESTIONS? THOUGHTS? COMMENTS?

Meggen Tucker Sixbey Thank You Sixbey@ufl. edu 352 -392 -1575

◦ Campus Counseling Center ◦ In 12 -18 months: 988 Suicide Hotline ◦ American Association of Suicidology (www. suicidology. org) ◦ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www. afsp. org) Resources ◦ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1 -800 -273 -TALK (8255) (www. suicidepreventionlifeline. org) ◦ Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education (www. save. org) ◦ Suicide Prevention Resource Center (www. sprc. org) ◦ The Trevor Project: 1 -888 -488 -7386 ◦ Trans Lifeline: 1 -877 -565 -8860 (www. translifeline. org)