Chapter 6: Lesson 6.3 Preventing Suicide pg.180
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Last updated 4 months ago
28 questions
Required
10
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
survivors | arrow_right_alt | act of taking one’s own life |
suicide clusters | arrow_right_alt | series of suicides in a particular community that occur in a relatively short period of time |
suicide contagion | arrow_right_alt | people who lose a loved one to suicide |
suicide | arrow_right_alt | term that describes the copying of suicide attempts after exposure to another person’s suicide |
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10
Recognize Risk and Protective Factors of Suicide
The term _______ describes when a person takes one’s own life. In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages _______ . The most common reason people attempt suicide is _______ . It can make people believe life is not worth living, the _______ off without them, and no one will miss them. In some cases, a person who attempts suicide has _______ to for some time. In other cases, a person who already _______ decides to attempt suicide following some _______ event, such as academic failure or a fight with a friend or family member. Many individual and environmental factors outlined by the _______ (CDC) affect whether a person attempts _______ (Figure 6.12).
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10
What is the most common reason people attempt suicide?
What is the most common reason people attempt suicide?
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10
What age group is suicide the second leading cause of death?
What age group is suicide the second leading cause of death?
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10
How do some individuals plan their suicide attempts?
How do some individuals plan their suicide attempts?
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10
What affects whether a person attempts suicide, according to the CDC?
What affects whether a person attempts suicide, according to the CDC?
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10
Individual Risk Factors
One major individual risk factor for suicide is a _______ attempt. If a person attempted suicide before, this person is more likely to make another attempt.
A person’s overall _______ health is another individual risk factor. People who consider suicide often do so because of overwhelming _______ and _______ thoughts. Sometimes a _______ causes these symptoms. Anxiety disorders, major _______ , and other mental disorders can cause unhealthy thought patterns. These thought patterns could cause people to consider suicide. It is important to remember, however, that many people with mental illnesses never attempt suicide. Instead, they seek treatment to _______ and change unhealthy thought patterns to lead fulfilling lives.
Another risk factor for suicide is _______ use. Abusing _______ can cloud judgment and make people more likely to engage in self-harm or attempt suicide. In fact, people who abuse drugs or alcohol are _______ more likely than others to report attempting suicide.
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10
Which of the following is a major individual risk factor for suicide?
Which of the following is a major individual risk factor for suicide?
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10
What can cause unhealthy thought patterns that may lead to suicide?
What can cause unhealthy thought patterns that may lead to suicide?
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10
What can cloud judgment and make people more likely to attempt suicide?
What can cloud judgment and make people more likely to attempt suicide?
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10
What insight can be gained from understanding the risk factors for suicide?
What insight can be gained from understanding the risk factors for suicide?
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10
Environmental Risk Factors
Environmental factors include your _______ , friends and peers, community, and the media. People whose family members have a mental illness or attempt or die by suicide may have more risk for attempting suicide themselves. Crises such as _______ , death of a close family member, or _______ may strain family relationships and increase risk factors. It is important to remember that many people who face family issues never attempt suicide. They focus on _______ and strengthening family relationships. Figure 6.13 provides some techniques people can use to _______ relationships.
People who experience long-term _______ have more risk of attempting suicide. This can include exposure to abuse or neglect, racism, or violence. Another example is bullying. _______ who are bullied have a greater risk of thinking about and attempting suicide. Bullying, cyberbullying, and _______ can also lead adolescents to develop depression, which increases risk of suicide.
The prevalence of suicide in a community also affects suicide risk. Hearing about a suicide—of a friend, family member, classmate, celebrity, or even a stranger—can increase someone’s risk of a suicide attempt. This _______ risk after exposure to suicide is called suicide contagion. Some communities or groups experience a suicide cluster, which is a series of suicides or suicide attempts in a relatively short time. In these clusters, one person dies by _______ , and then other people copy this behavior.
The media can also be a risk factor. For example, after a TV show or movie _______ , the rate of suicide attempts increases in the next few weeks following the release. Media coverage does not lead most people to consider harming themselves, but can trigger a suicide attempt in people who are experiencing a mental health condition or illness. This is similar to a suicide contagion. Due to the _______ , many media organizations follow careful practices to reduce potential harm (Figure 6.14).
Required
3.5
Protective Factors
The CDC outlines protective factors that can reduce the risk of suicide. People with _______ , including substance use disorders, and physical health conditions should seek effective _______ . Professional help greatly _______ of suicide. Suicide risk is also reduced by having easy access to a variety of clinical interventions.
People feeling supported by families, communities, and medical and mental health care professionals have a _______ of suicide. Certain cultures and religions support self-preservation and discourage suicide, which can also help. Certain health skills, including problem solving and _______ , make people less likely to consider suicide.
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3.5
What are some factors that can reduce the risk of suicide?
What are some factors that can reduce the risk of suicide?
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3.5
How can professional help prevent suicide?
How can professional help prevent suicide?
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3.5
How does feeling supported reduce the risk of suicide?
How does feeling supported reduce the risk of suicide?
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3.5
What skills can make people less likely to consider suicide?
What skills can make people less likely to consider suicide?
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3.5
Take Steps to Help Prevent Suicide
Suicide is a tragedy that affects individuals, families, friends and peers, and communities. For example, _______ members and close friends can grieve intensely after someone close has died from suicide. Other people in a community are also impacted by suicide. People in a person’s school, workplace, or neighborhood also grieve, even if they did not _______ know the individual who died.
All people can take steps to help prevent suicide—on an individual level and in their communities. This includes recognizing the _______ of someone who has thoughts of suicide. Promoting positive mental health for oneself and others can also decrease the risk of suicide.
To help prevent suicide, people need to respond to warning signs of suicide. Most people who attempt suicide show some warning signs about their intentions. According to the CDC, warning signs of suicide include:
- talking or posting about wanting to die
- seeking access to lethal means of suicide
- increased substance use
- _______ , rage, anxiety, or mood swings
- sleeping too little or too much
- withdrawal from family, friends, and loved ones
- expressing hopelessness or feeling trapped, in unbearable pain, or like a burden
- making _______ , including giving away personal belongings
It is very important to always take any thoughts or mention of suicide and any other warning signs very seriously. If you think about hurting yourself, talk to a parent or other adult you trust right away. This person can put you in touch with a trained mental health professional.
If a person confides in you about having thoughts of suicide, you cannot keep this secret. Talk to someone who can help immediately. You can also call 911 or a suicide hotline number to reach a trained mental health professional (Figure 6.15). The use of suicide hotlines can reduce the likelihood of suicide. If someone (such as a friend) mentions suicide, do not leave that person alone. Stay with the person until help arrives.
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3.5
Who can be affected by suicide?
Who can be affected by suicide?
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3.5
How can individuals help prevent suicide?
How can individuals help prevent suicide?
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3.5
What can decrease the risk of suicide?
What can decrease the risk of suicide?
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3.5
Why might people grieve after someone dies from suicide?
Why might people grieve after someone dies from suicide?
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3.5
Which of the following is a warning sign of suicide?
Which of the following is a warning sign of suicide?
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3.5
What is one way people may seek access to lethal means of suicide?
What is one way people may seek access to lethal means of suicide?
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3.5
Which of the following is NOT a warning sign of suicide?
Which of the following is NOT a warning sign of suicide?
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10
Why is it important to respond to warning signs of suicide?
Why is it important to respond to warning signs of suicide?
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3.5
Advocate for Mental Health
The most common cause of suicide is untreated depression. One step to help prevent suicide is to get treatment for a _______ condition and illness and encourage others to get treatment as well. Treatment seeks to reduce _______ , which usually means people no longer consider suicide.
To protect against suicide, you can seek and give support in your _______ , especially if you feel you are struggling. People can find support from family members, friends, and the community (Figure 6.16). Simply being able to express feelings and talk with trusted people can be very helpful. In addition, you can help _______ by using skills to build your self-esteem, shift to a positive mind-set, and manage stress. Practicing these skills regularly can help you regulate negative feelings and handle _______ in healthy ways.
Stress in the _______ is a risk factor for suicide. By improving your environment, you can reduce the risk of suicide and create a _______ . For example, students who feel connected to the school community, including other students, _______ , and staff, are less likely to experience mental health conditions and illnesses. They are also more likely to seek help for themselves or their friends.
You can help promote a positive, respectful environment by building supportive, _______ and communicating effectively by _______ and respect to others. You can also stand up to inappropriate behavior, such as intervening if you see someone being bullied. Showing tolerance and offering support to your peers can help create a _______ climate, which reduces risk for suicide.
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3.5
Provide Help for Survivors
The term survivors describes people who lose a loved one to suicide. _______ often feel anger, guilt, and sadness. They may suffer with guilt because they were unable to prevent the death. They may feel rejected and abandoned by the person who died by suicide. _______ are sudden. This means survivors are unable to prepare themselves for a loss.
Survivors may even feel _______ or ashamed by the suicide. Many people are uncomfortable with the topic of suicide. Unfortunately, this means survivors may not get the _______ they need after their loss.
The good news is that there are ways to help survivors. Some survivors may find support groups or _______ helpful. It is important to let survivors grieve. If you know someone who lost a loved one to suicide, learn about the stages of grief (Figure 6.17). Knowing what your friend or family member is going through can help you be more _______ .
Survivors may not want to talk about their loss right away. When they are ready to talk, however, just listen. Some people feel better when they talk about difficult topics. Listening is a simple way to help survivors overcome their loss.