Prevention - Addressing Suicide Risk
Suicide risk is a serious concern when working with adolescents who are experiencing grief. Depression is often related to grief and, as extensive research has shown, depression and suicide are inexorably linked. As professionals, we are trained to recognize the symptoms of depression in our clients and the warning signs for suicide. However, this may be more difficult when working with clients though online communities, such as chat rooms or online support groups. The following facts, suggestions, and resources can assist you in understanding and addressing suicide risk in adolescent online communities:
Statistics
• According to the latest available statistics, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults (10-24 years old) in the United States, with almost 4,600 young adults completing suicide in 2004 (CDC, 2007).
• In a recent study of high school students, 16.9% reported serious suicide contemplations and 8% reported actual suicide attempts over the 12 month period studied (Eaton et al., 2006).
Prevention
• Monitoring Communications – Monitoring and assessing communications on your online site may be the most important step that you can take to prevent suicide. Carefully and continuously screen communications between online participants (Hsiung, 2007). Contact those individuals who display suicidal ideations for more intensive interventions.
• Telephone Hotline Numbers – Despite a lack of supporting research (Krysinska & De Leo, 2007), providing a telephone hotline number, such as the National Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-8255), may be an effective means of preventing suicide among adolescents in online communities.
• Education – Educating online facilitators as well as the adolescent online participants can increase awareness and possibly prevent suicide. A number of resources exist, such as the Preventing Suicide Network and the National Center for Suicide Prevention Training, to assist you as you develop your resources in response to suicide risk.
Resources
• www.ncspt.org – The National Center for Suicide Prevention Training provides educational resources to service providers to help develop prevention programs.
• www.preventingsuicide.com – A comprehensive resource for information related to suicide, including education and training programs for recognizing risk of suicide.
• www.safeyouth.org – A federal resource aimed at the prevention of youth violence (a useful portal to information and education on suicide incidence and prevention).
• www.suicidology.org – American Association of Suicidology; a non-profit group dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide (resources and education).
• www.teensuicide.us – Facts and information on the incidence, prevention, and treatment of teen suicide.
Next: Enter the Prototype Website
or See More About Project