Helping Give Away Psychological Science/Suicide Prevention in Schools

Benefits of early intervention in schools

• Lower risk of relapse
• Reduced risk of suicide
• Reduced vocational/developmental disruption
• Reduced family stress
• Improved recovery
• Reduced need for hospitalization

Destigmatizing mental health

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 1-800-950-6264
• Steps to cope with stigma

1. Get treatment
2. Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame
3. Don't isolate yourself
4. Don't equate yourself with your illness
5. Join a support group
6. Get help at school
7. Speak out against stigma

Self-Esteem

• Psychoeducation on self-esteem and helpful worksheets to address/improve self-esteem
  • https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Self-Esteem
• Eating Disorders
  • https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Disordered-Eating
• Depression
  • https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Depression
• Anxiety
  • https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Anxiety

Self-harm (NSSI)

Crisis Text Line

• Text 741741; Text HOME to connect to a crisis counselor
• https://www.crisistextline.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness

• What is self-harm?
• Why do people self-harm?
• Treatment and coping
• What to do when someone else self-harms
• https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/related-conditions/self-harm

Suicidality

Crisis Text Line

• Text 741741; Text HOME to connect to a crisis counselor
• https://www.crisistextline.org

Educating Parents

• Common reasons teens consider suicide
• Learn to recognize the warning signs
• How to help if you notice warning signs
• https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=teen-suicide-learning-to-recognize-the-warning-signs-1-1696

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)

• reduce access to lethal means (firearms, medication, sharp objects, lighters, etc) to prevent suicidal behavior

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) 2017 Findings on High School Students' Suicidal Behavior [1]

• 17.2 % of students nationwide had seriously considered attempting suicide in last 12 months
• Prevalence of having seriously considered attempting suicide was higher among females (22.1%) than males (11.9%)
• 13.6% of students nationwide had made a suicide plan in last 12 months
• 7.4% of students nationwide had attempted suicide at least once in last 12 months

Bullying

Stomp Out Bullying HelpChat Live

• https://www.stompoutbullying.org/get-help/helpchat-line

6 Ways to be an ally (English and Spanish)

1. Support targets, whether you know them or not
2. Don't participate
3. Tell aggressors to stop
4. Inform a trusted adult
5. Get to know people instead of judging them
6. Be an ally online

• https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/6-ways-to-be-an-ally-en-espanol

YRBS Findings on Students' experience with Bullying

1. 14.9% of students nationwide have been electronically bullied (texts or any form of social media) in the last 12 months
2. 19% of students nationwide have been bullied on school property in the last 12 months

Gender and Sexuality (LGBTQ)

Crisis Hotline for LGBTQIA+ Youth via the Trevor Project

• 1-866-488-7386

Trevor Project

• https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now

CDC Page on Resources for LGBTQIA+ youth

• https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm

Resources via GLAAD for LGBTQIA+ community

• https://www.glaad.org/resourcelist

YRBS Findings on LGBTQIA+ students

1. 14.6% of students nationwide did not identify as heterosexual
2. 20.5% of non-heterosexual students nationwide reported having been threatened or injured with a weapon on school property
3. 49.1% of non-heterosexual students nationwide reported having been electronically bullied
4. 57.3% of non-heterosexual students nationwide reported having been bullied on school property
5. 38.9% of non-heterosexual students nationwide reported having experienced sexual violence in the last 12 months
6. 63.6% of non-heterosexual students nationwide reported having made a suicide plan in the last 12 months

Substance Misuse

https://www.abovetheinfluence.com

• text ABOVE to 741741 for 24/7 anonymous free crisis counseling via Crisis Text Line

How does drug use affect high school grades

• Lower grades
• Higher rate of absenteeism from school
• Heavy marijuana use in teen years and continued into adulthood
• Higher rates of school drop out
• https://www.justthinktwice.gov/how-does-drug-use-affect-your-high-school-grades

YRBS Findings on Students' experience with Substance Misuse

1. 5.5% of students nationwide who drove a car had driven a car when they had been drinking alcohol
2. 13% of students nationwide who drove a car had driven a car when they had been using marijuana
3. 9.5% of students nationwide had first tried cigarette smoking before age 13
4. 9.7% of students nationwide who currently smoke cigarettes reported smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day
5. 42.2% of students nationwide reported having used an electronic vapor product
6. 15.5% of students nationwide had their first drink of alcohol before age 13
7. 13.5% of students nationwide reported having had 4 or more drinks of alcohol in a row (females) or 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row (males) at least one day in last month
8. 36.5% of students nationwide have used marijuana one or more times

Athletic Pressures

How to help a teen athlete deal with Sports Pressure

• Encourage a balanced life
• Change the mindset to "embrace the pressure and thrive"
• Relaxation techniques
• Recognize an injury
• Don't allow sports to become your identity
• Watch for substance misuse
• https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-help-a-teen-athlete-deal-with-sports-pressure-4057989

YRBS Findings on students' health

• 54.3% of students nationwide reported having played on at least one sports team in the last 12 months
• 47.1% of students nationwide reported trying to lose weight
• 31.5% of students nationwide identified as slightly or very overweight
• 15.1% of students nationwide had a concussion one or more times in the last 12 months