Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Are depression and suicide cause and effect?

No

Thwarted belongingness

Feel unable to connect with others; perceived rejection; no longer feel they are part of the community

Perceived burdensomeness

Feeling as if you are a burden on the ones you care about (it would be better if I was dead)

Joiners interpersonal theory of suicide

1. Perceived burdensomeness

2. Lack of belonging (desire for suicide)

3. Psychological capacity to inflict lethal harm

(Actual Attempt)

• may be obtained from exposure to painful life experiences (abuse)

Passive suicidal ideation

Wish to be dead but does no include active planning about how to commit suicide

Active suicide ideation

Includes thoughts about how to commit act, including details such as where, when, and how

Suicide attempt

When someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, do not dies as a result of their actions

Suicide bereaved

Anyone who has been impacted by the loss of someone to suicide

Why is “committing suicide” not the correct term?

“Commit” promotes stigma, specifically the idea that mental illness is criminal

Who are individuals who can more commonly inflict self harm?

Those who have been exposed to a lot of death

Suicide risk factors

• previous attempt

• Gender

• Mental illness

• Self injurious behavior

• Alcohol o drug use

• Family history

Warning signs of suicide

• feeling like a burden to others

• Withdraw from friends/family

• Loss of interest or pleasure

• Increase in risky behaviors

• Referencing being dead

Talking about suicide _______

Prevents suicide

What gender is more likely to commit suicide?

Women

What gender is more likely to die by suicide

Men

Suicide exposed

Anyone with a connection

Suicide affected

Produces a reaction

Suicide bereaved short term

People who have an attachment bond with the deceased and gradually adapt to the loss over time

Suicide bereaved long term

Those for whom grieving becomes a protracted struggle that includes diminished functioning in important aspects of their life

What predicts the impact of a suicide death?

How emotionally close they felt to the individual

What is the only way to know if someone is suicidal

ASK

How do TBI’s impact suicidal behavior

Increased risk