FREE Information Session - Youth Suicide

FREE Information Session - Youth Suicide: Recognizing Risk and Talking About It

Our community has been touched by the loss of Daron Richardson who passed away last weekend as a result of suicide.  The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre extends its sincere condolences to theRichardson family and all of Daron’s friends and classmates. 

The Richardson family’s strength and openness in this difficult time reminds us how important it is to talk about mental health. These conversations can be first step towards helping people who need it but many people struggle with what to say. To help address that issue, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre will be holding a special free information session on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 7:00 pm entitled “Youth Suicide: Recognizing Risk and Talking About It”. 

“Youth Suicide: Recognizing Risk and Talking About It”

A free information session from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre 

Registration is requested

Attendees can click HERE to register or go to (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SPP7CT3) 

Date and Time
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

7 to 9 pm (doors open at 6:30) 

Location
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa 

Speakers

• Annmarie Nicholson, Director Volunteer Services and Trainer - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
• Karen Poole, Chief of Social Work, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
• James Thomas, Word is Out

         Presentation Summary

After accidents, suicide is the second-most common cause of death among young people in Canada.  An alarming 32% of young women and 18% of young men report having thoughts of suicide.  While females are twice as likely to attempt suicide, males complete suicide twice as often as women. When suicide occurs, the question most often asked by those left behind is “why?” and “how could we have prevented this?”  

Join us as we explore youth suicide. We will talk about the causes of suicide among young people, how to recognize risk and how to respond when someone you care about needs help. James Thomas, from the Word Is Out project, will also join us to share his own family’s personal story of loss and healing.

Talking about youth suicide is the first step in prevention. Our hope is that this presentation will help us to continue as a community to not only talk, but to listen as well.

Sue Riley

Communications Coordinator, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group

Speak Up

‎"Those kids know so little about life, they don't understand what's wrong with them and what can be done to help -- they're just in pain. They don't want to die, they just want to end the pain. There's a catch phrase: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. "I'm a nurse and I can remember when we didn't even say the word, cancer. We called it the big C -- and now the awareness is huge, and the funding for research and prevention. My goal is to get rid of the taboo around suicide and get on with prevention." 


~Jude Platz (mother who lost her teenage son to suicide)

Teen Suicide: The Signs

• Suicide rate in young people is increasing.
• Suicide is uncommon in children under the age of 10.
• There are many more attempted suicides than completed suicides.
• Between 60 - 80% of youth have sought help within the previous month before the suicide.
• There is an increased risk if the youth has a previous history of attempted suicide.
• Many competed suicides are well planned.

Risk Factors:

• Problems with school or the law.
• Break-up of romance.
• Unexpected pregnancy.
• A stressful family life (having parents who are depressed or are substance abusers, or a family history of suicide)
• Loss of security…fear of authority, peers, group or gang members.
• Stress due to new situations; college or relocating to a new community.
• Failing in school or failing to pass an important test.
• Seriously injuring another person or causing another person’s death (example automobile accident.)
• Major loss of a loved one, divorce in the family, a trauma.

Warning Signs:

• Abrupt changes in personality.
• Giving away possessions.
• Previous suicide attempt.
• Use of drugs and/or alcohol.
• Change in eating pattern.
• Significant weight change.
• Insomnia/oversleeping.
• Unwillingness/inability to communicate.
• Depression.
• Extreme or extended boredom.
• Accident prone (carelessness).
• Unusual sadness, loneliness, talk of wanting to die.
• Neglect of work/appearance.
• Rebelliousness.
• Reckless behaviour.
• Chronic pain, panic or anxiety

Call The Kids’ Help Phone: 
1-800-668-6868 (24 hours) 
24hr Distress Line:
1-866-661-3311 
Call 911 
Call 1-800-SUICIDE:
1-800-784-2433

"Silence Kills. Talk to your teens about suicide prevention."

(taken from Teen Suicide Prevention) 

What You Need To Know about Teen Suicide/Depression

Teen Prevention Suicide PSA #2

Teen Suicide Prevention PSA