Program offers guidance for helping suicidal youth

Rick Nelson, Wah. Co. Eagle | Dec 02, 20100

What are signs that a youth might be thinking of committing suicide?

What can a person do about it?

These and related questions and topics were discussed Monday when a group of Cowlitz County residents, including a class from Lower Columbia College's nursing program, met with Mary Jadwisiak, Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP) field coordinator for Clark and Cowlitz counties.

Jadwisiak led the group through a 45-minute training on signs of suicide among youth and how to respond, and she listed the free resources available through the Youth Suicide Prevention Program.

The group agreed to meet again on December 27 at a time and location to be confirmed to continue developing a coordinated community response program.

Signs of depression

Youth can become depressed for a variety of reasons, and because they're young and relatively inexperienced in dealing with life, depression can seem an insurmountable problem, Jadwisiak said.

It can start with a family history of mental illness or drug and alcohol use; it can stem from learning disorders or physical appearance; it can come from disability or illness or dealing with sexual orientation, or it can simply start from anxiety.

As depression builds, youth generally will show signs of change in eating or sleeping habits, in sexual behaviour, in personality, problems with authority, school performance, over reaction, or physical ailments.

Most youth who try suicide use guns. They're readily available in most homes, and if not, a youth will have an aquaintance whose family has guns.

"Responsible gun ownership is a must," Jadwisiak said. "It could be someone else's kid who uses your unsecured gun."

If a person suspects a youth may be severely depressed, "show you care," Jadwisiak said. "Ask questions about what you see. Ask if they're okay.

"Ask the question directly: Are you thinking about killing yourself?"

Some signs of imminent risk are having desperate feelings, disturbed sleep, trouble with the law, a recent suicide attempt, putting affairs in order, lack of interest or pleasure in all things,lack of physical energy, talk of suicide or death, and planning for suicide.

If the youth's responses show a tendency to suicide, one should call for professional help.

The mental health programs of county health departments offer 24-hour coverage seven days a week.

Community action

Communities can also take action to provide protective factors for youth.

Schools have programs to help students build esteem and to reduce bullying.

Jadwisiak said the YSPP program will train people to become trainers themselves who can work with organizations in their communities; they can eventually establish a network of care.

Drew McDaniel of the Lower Columbia Mental Health Center and others in the audience discussed how Cowlitz County residents established a coalition in 1995 when the county had a spate of youth suicides. That coalition has faded, but citizens on Monday expressed interest in forming a new group.

In Wahkiakum County

Because of Wahkiakum County's small population, the suicide rate is very low, Chris Holmes, director of county mental health services, said Tuesday.

The agency, however, has someone on duty at all times who is ready to respond to a possible suicide.

"We make it as simple as possible," he said. "Just call the health department phone number (see related story in this issue); somebody is always on call and ready to respond."

The mental health department has three counselors who are certified to work with children. The department tries to connect with schools as a resource and to take part in school programs that build children's self esteem and coping skills so that they can be resiliant and withstand the pressures of life.

"If you have a question or a concern, all you have to do is call us," Holmes said, "and we can spend time with them."

Youth Suicide: The Facts

• An average of two youth between the ages of 10 and 24 kill themselves each week in Washington State.

• One in every 10 high school students reported having attempted suicide; nearly one in four (20-25 percent) had seriously considered it.

• Over 30 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning (GLBTQ) youth report at least one suicide attempt within the past year.

• Youth suicides outnumber youth homicides.

(Source--Youth Suicide Prevention Program)

To call for help

Wahkiakum County--795-8630

Cowlitz County--425-4264

Southern Pacific County--484-7430

National suicide hotline--1-800-274-TALK.