 |
 |
Resources
Introducing With Hope
This tri-fold brochure explains the founding of With Hope Foundation, the foundation’s goals and important suicide facts that every teen and parent must be aware of…
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our teens! |
Grieving a Suicide
Albert Y. Hsu
Suicide: Survivors A guide for those left behind
Adina Wrobleski
Healing After the Suicide of a Loved One
Ann Smolin, C.S.W. and John Guinan, Ph.D.
Goodbye Jeanine
Joyce Sackett
Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love
David B. Biebel, DMin, & Suzanne L. Foster, MA
Through a Season of Grief
Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard
|
Warning Signs of Suicide…
- Verbal Expressions of thoughts of suicide, despair or hopelessness. “I shouldn’t have been born.” “I wish I were dead.” “Things would be better off if I weren’t here.”
- Talking, Writing or Reading about suicide or death.
- Giving away valued possessions.
- Getting affairs in order i.e.: cleaning bedroom for the “last time.”
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
- Self- destructive behavior like self-cutting.
- Suddenly becoming cheerful after prolonged depression.
- Significant changes in behavior of habits.
- Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
- Withdrawal, moodiness or prolonged depression.
- Failing grades or declining quality in schoolwork.
- Feelings of being unwanted.
- Previous suicidal thoughts or attempts.
- Obsessed with guns or knives.
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities
- Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
- Increased alcohol and drug use.
|
Did You Know?… Suicide Facts
- Over 30,000 people in the U.S. kill themselves every year.
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 – 24 year olds.
- 1 out of 5 high school students will consider suicide.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college age teens.
- 1 out of 12 college students has a suicide plan.
- More children and young adults die from suicide every year than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke and chronic lung disease combined.
- Every suicide intimately affects 6 other people.
- Suicide has increased 100% in the past two years for ages 10 – 14 year olds.
- For every completed suicide by youth it is estimated that 100 – 200 attempts are made.
- Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than females.
- Females attempt suicide four times more than males.
- In 2003 one out of sixty-five Americans lost someone to suicide.
- In the U.S. 100 teens a week die from suicide.
- More people die from suicide than from homicide.
- 1 out of 4 people diagnosed with bi-polar disorder will attempts suicide.
|
Recognizing Symptoms of Depression
- Feeling sad, empty or numb.
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, and or/ worthless.
- Loss of interest, motivation or pleasures.
- Irritability or crankiness; constantly critical or complaining.
- Changes in appetite; unusual weight gain or loss.
- Changes in sleep patterns (trouble falling asleep, sleeping all the time).
- Fatigue, loss of energy.
- Physical slowing of speech, movements or thinking.
- Low self esteem and self confidence.
- Poor concentration or indecisiveness.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
- Increased behavioral problems (trouble at school, work, etc.)
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide plans, or attempts.
- Persistent physical problems (i.e.: neck/back pain, headaches, stomach aches, joint pain).
If you or someone you know are concerned about any of these symptoms, help is available and is the key to suicide prevention |
What is Depression
Depression is a medical illness, just like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. It is not the “blues.” Everyone at one time or another experiences the blues, these are normal feelings that pass with time. The feelings that are associated with depression last longer than a couple of weeks. If you or your friend suffers from depression you/they can’t talk themselves out of it…they can’t just “get over it”. You or your friend are not weak, you or your friend don’t have a character flaw. Having the illness of depression isn’t your fault or your friend’s fault. Depression affects the whole body. It affects your thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health, appearance. Depression affects all areas of your life (school, work, friends, sports, etc.) Depression can be treated successfully just like any other illness. There is HELP…there is HOPE.
What Causes Depression
Depression is triggered by a complex combination of genetic and psychological and environmental factors. Genetic means that in some families, depression is inherited, or passed down through genes. Psychological makeup has to do with personality traits, and environmental factors means life circumstances. The brain is an organ of the body just like the heart, liver and kidneys. If the neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) that regulate how a person thinks, feels and acts get out of balance, the brain can get “sick” and the result can be clinical depression. A bad or stressful event could trigger depression; however a person can also be born with depression. It can also appear out of nowhere, when everything is going fine, at a time, when there is no reason to get depression. DEPRESSION IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF!!
Adapted from SAVE “What to do Brochure” |
|
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer: The diagnosis and treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders requires a trained medical professional. Information contained in this website reflects the opinions of With Hope Foundation, and is intended for educational purposes only. It should NOT be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment of any mental/psychiatric disorders. Please consult a medical professional if the information here leads you to believe you or someone you know may be depressed.
"With Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention through improving
mental health support services and education in our schools and throughout our community."
|
|
|
|
