If you are, or someone you know is, thinking about suicide get help immediately. At school, talk with one of the mental health staff or another trusted adult. At home, talk with your parent or guardian. If none of those people is available, call 1-800-273- TALK (8255) or 1-800-SUICIDE (784 2433) any time day or night.

Teen suicide prevention public service announcement created by Shawnee Heights Middle School students and KTKA during the 2005-2006 school year.

ARE STUDENTS REALLY AT RISK OF SUICIDE?
YES!!! We have had young people in our community die by suicide and many more who make attempts. The most current national statistics tell us:

• In 2003, suicide was the third leading cause of death of 15-24 year olds - ranking behind accidents and homicide.
• In that year 3,988 15-24 year olds and 250 children under 15 died from suicide - one every two hours and 4 minutes!
• For 10-19 year olds, 1,731 died by suicide that year.

WARNING SIGNS
When someone is having a hard time, it usually shows if one really looks. That's because it's normal to have feelings, thoughts, and changes in behaviors when encountering difficult situations. Learn to recognize these warning signs for the safety of your friends and for yourself.

IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS FEELING SUICIDAL

• Listen and show you care.
• Ask the question, “Are you thinking about suicide?”
• Don't leave her or him alone - especially if s/he has a plan for how to attempt suicide.
• Help her or him talk with an adult who can help her or him stay safe.
• Do not deal with this alone!
• Help find someone trained in suicide prevention.

HOW TO HELP OTHERS

Good communication helps!
Listen well and show you care:

• Agree to confidentiality only if NO ONE is in danger.
• Look interested.
• Listen to the situation, the thoughts, AND the feelings.
• Summarize what you heard, especially the feelings.
• Do NOT judge, moralize, or be quick to advise!

If there's a problem to solve, don't take over but do try to help:

• Explore the situation TOGETHER.
• Identify options TOGETHER.
• Explore the consequences TOGETHER.
• Decide on a best solution TOGETHER.

When You Need To Give Feedback:

• Calmly and clearly identify your feelings and the source of those feelings.
• Use good timing - close to the behavior, but when s/he is calm enough to hear it.
• Give feedback in appropriate doses, so that s/he can hear it and learn from it.

PEOPLE TEENS CAN TURN TO
Some of the people teens might be able to talk with if they need help:

• a close friend
• a brother or sister
• a parent
• another family member
• a friend's parent
• an adult friend
• your doctor
• a rabbi/pastor/spiritual leader

There are many people in schools who care about teens and would really want everyone to be safe:

• a counselor
• a social worker
• a teacher or coach
• a nurse
• a psychologist
• a principal or assistant/division principal

And there are many other people in the community with whom teens can talk:

• Refer to the Topeka Community Resources on the web site.
• Ask a doctor for a referral.
• Counselors, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and private mental health centers listed in the Yellow Pages or in the Community Resources found on this web-site.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR SHAWNEE COUNTY

SOME GOOD BOOKS FOR TEENS
When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide For Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain from Free Spirit Publishing

Out of the Darkness: Teens Talk About Suicide by Marion Crook from Arsenal Pulp Press

WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TEEN SUICIDE PREVENTION
A girl’s health website
www.4Girls.gov

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
http://www.glsen.org

Girls and Boys Town- for Kids and Teens
http://www.girlsandboystown.org/kidsteens/index.asp

Go Ask Alice!
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/

Helping Teens Spread the Word: Suicide Prevention in Schools
http://www.yspp.org/publicAwareness/schools/schoolsPrograms.htm

High School Blues
http://www.highschoolblues.com/

Kids Health, click “teen” and “your mind” for mental health topics
http://www.kidshealth.org/index.html

National Youth Violence Prevention Program Resource Center- Facts for Teens: Teen Suicide
www.safeyouth.org

Samariteens
http://www.samaritansofboston.org

Suicide Prevention Resource Center, click menu for "customized information - select “ teens"
www.sprc.org

Trevor Helpline
http://www.thetrevorproject.org

Washington Youth Suicide Prevention Program
www.yspp.org

Yellow Ribbon- For Teens
http://www.yellowribbon.org/Msg-to-Teens.htm