YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 44) CRISIS STOPPING SUICIDE Keys To Intervening Before It’s Too Late by Kelly M. Flanagan, Ph.D., and Fred Whaples As a youth leader, you’re unlikely to face anything that frightens you as much as a student who is considering suicide. Ultimately, your job is simple—to persuade the teenager to get professional help. However, reality is often more complex. The first thing to do is learn to detect the presence of suicidal thoughts. Many teenagers will tell you directly they’re thinking about suicide. For others, you’ll have to know the warning signs. Teenagers experiencing this kind of emotional pain may communicate it verbally, although perhaps in a disguised way. The types of verbal warnings may include comments that life isn’t worth the effort, that there are no solutions to problems, that others would be “better off” if the person wasn’t around or that the student may take revenge by hurting him or herself. Sometimes a suicide attempt is impulsive, but sometimes it isn’t; and the person begins to plan for it. The student may begin to give away personal items, plan a suicide note or engage in dangerous activities, such as increasing alcohol and drug use. Other signs include dramatic mood changes, intense anxiety or signs of depression. If the person has begun to develop a plan, he or she is at high risk for suicide. What To Do When there is an immediate threat of suicide, the first step is to ensure the student gets the help needed to be safe. Stay calm, take a deep breath and pray. Ask the student directly, “Are you thinking about committing suicide?” Many people hesitate to ask this question because they’re concerned that it will offend the person or will plant the idea in his or her mind. This is a myth. You’re more likely to communicate genuine concern and that you understand the seriousness of the situation. This question also will help you determine if the student has a specific plan. “Never promise to keep secrets. Instead, remind students you’ll focus on their best interests at all times.” 44 March/April 2009 | YouthWorkerJournal.com http://www.YouthWorkerJournal.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 Contents Feedback Youth Culture Update Culture Watch Encountering God Campus Ministry The Urban Take Sight Unseen Worldview Soul Care Managing Your Ministry 10 Minutes in God's Word From IQ to CQ Caring Amidst Crisis Risky Business When Tragedy Gets Personal Deaths in the Family Stopping Suicide Blessed Are They Who Mourn Healing the Healer Resources for Working with Crisis Tools Stirring it Up YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 (Page Cover1) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 (Page Cover2) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 (Page 3) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 (Page 4) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 (Page 1) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Contents (Page 2) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Contents (Page 3) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Contents (Page 4) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Contents (Page 5) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Feedback (Page 6) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Feedback (Page 7) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Youth Culture Update (Page 8) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Youth Culture Update (Page 9) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Youth Culture Update (Page 10) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Youth Culture Update (Page 11) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Youth Culture Update (Page 12) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Youth Culture Update (Page 13) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Culture Watch (Page 14) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Culture Watch (Page 15) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Encountering God (Page 16) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Campus Ministry (Page 17) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - The Urban Take (Page 18) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Sight Unseen (Page 19) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Worldview (Page 20) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Worldview (Page 21) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Soul Care (Page 22) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Managing Your Ministry (Page 23) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - 10 Minutes in God's Word (Page 24) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - 10 Minutes in God's Word (Page 25) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 26) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 27) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 28) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 29) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 30) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 31) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 32) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - From IQ to CQ (Page 33) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Caring Amidst Crisis (Page 34) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Caring Amidst Crisis (Page 35) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Caring Amidst Crisis (Page 36) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Caring Amidst Crisis (Page 37) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Risky Business (Page 38) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Risky Business (Page 39) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - When Tragedy Gets Personal (Page 40) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - When Tragedy Gets Personal (Page 41) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Deaths in the Family (Page 42) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Deaths in the Family (Page 43) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Stopping Suicide (Page 44) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Stopping Suicide (Page 45) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Blessed Are They Who Mourn (Page 46) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Blessed Are They Who Mourn (Page 47) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Healing the Healer (Page 48) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Healing the Healer (Page 49) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Resources for Working with Crisis (Page 50) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Resources for Working with Crisis (Page 51) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 52) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 53) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 54) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 55) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 56) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 57) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 58) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 59) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 60) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 61) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 62) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Tools (Page 63) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Stirring it Up (Page 64) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Stirring it Up (Page Cover3) YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - Stirring it Up (Page Cover4)
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