Answering the Call for HelpHandling the Suicidal Caller

Presented by:Mesa Police Public Safety Communications

Training

Objectives:Understand facts & myths about suicidesState at least 3 causes of suicidal behaviorUnderstand gender disparitiesState at least 4 active listening techniques

Definition

Suicide : A desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become

unbearable.

The process of purposely ending one's own life. .

Suicide: A Major Health Problem• More than 33,000 Americans die by suicide each year

• 1 suicide every 16 minutes (89 per day)

• 24% of the general population has considered suicide at some time in his/her life

• There are an estimated 832,500 attempts per year in the U.S.• 13.8 million Americans will attempt suicide in their lifetime

• For every 2 people who die from homicides, 3 people die of suicide

• Approximately twice as many Americans die by suicides than from HIV/AIDS

• There are more suicides globally than deaths from war and violence combined

Suicide is:11th leading cause of

death overall in America

3rd leading cause of death for young Americans

between the ages of 10-24

2nd leading cause of death for American young adults aged

25-34

Effects of Suicide766,042 suicides (1982 – 2006)

6 to 100 survivors per suicideEstimated 4,799,800 survivors in the US

Myths

People who talk about it don’t do it

Suicidal people just want attention

Suicidal people are mentally ill

If a person is determined, nothing will stop them

People who commit

suicide are unwilling to seek help

More MythsOnce the emotional

state improves, the risk of suicide

is over

An unsuccessful attempt is not

to be taken seriously

Talking about suicide puts

the thought in their head

Gender Disparities

Male suicides are nearly 4 times

female (79% of all US suicides)

7th leading cause of death for men

Suicide rates for males are highest

for those aged 75 & older

56% of males use firearms

Male

Gender Disparities - FemaleWomen attempt

suicide 2 to 3 times as often as

men

11th leading cause of death for women

Suicide rates for

women are highest for those aged

45-54

Poisoning is most

common among

women – 40.3%

Racial & Ethnic Disparities• Ages 15-34, suicide is the 2nd

leading cause of death

American Indian/Alaska

Natives • Suicide rates among ages 15-34

are 1.8 times higher than the national average for that age group

American Indian/Alaska

Natives • Have a higher percent of suicide

attempts (14%) than White (7.7%) or Black (9.9%) counterparts

Hispanic Female

Students in Grades 9-12

Causes of Suicidal Behavior

LossRelational, Social, Work, or Financial

Biology

Physical illness

Psychology Personal or social,

uncertainty about

the meaning of one’s

life

History

Family, Depression, Alcohol or Drug abuse

No single cause

Can be a collection of issues

MotivatorsPunish

Themselves

Punish Others

AlcoholFactor in 30% of

completed

Stay in Control

By escaping accountabili

ty

Escape from Pain

(Mental or emotional)

Types of Suicide

Familicide• Murder/

Suicide• At least 1

parent & 1 or more child

Copycat

• Duplication of another suicide

• Generally seen in the media

Suicide by Cop

• Deliberately acts in a threatening manner, provoking lethal response from Law Enforcement

Other Types of Suicide

• Suicide attempt or gesture• No actual intent to die

Parasuicide

• 2 or more individuals with an agreed upon plan

Suicide Pact

• Generally women• Done to escape shame

Honor Suicide

Methods: 2002-2006

10-24 yr 25-64 yr 65+ yr 10-24 yr 25-64 yr 65+ yr0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

28.5 32 35.251.9 53.3

79.2

43

15.717.5

35.323.3

8.919.7

42.5 33.1

5.715.2

6.43.1 2.7 4.72.5 2 1.45.7 7 9.5 4.6 6.2 4.1

Firearms Suffocation Poisoning Fall OtherFemale Male

Talking to the Suicidal CallerBe yourself,

be concerned

What the Calltaker Should Do

Determine Lethality

A plan?Availabilit

y of means?

Weapons

Drinking or drug

use?Previous attempts?

Mental Health issues?

Are they alone?

What the Calltaker Should Do Ask direct questions Start medical aid if needed Don’t lie Don’t guess (make assumptions) Take the caller seriously Don’t promise anything Be open & receptive Don’t jump to conclusions Treat people with respect

Use:

Calming

Techniques

“Help is on the way”

“I need you to help me”

Elicit & provide

feedback

Separate the emotional from the

informational

Use:

Encourage

ClarifyRestateReflectSummarize

Validate

Active Listening Techniques

By listening, being sympathetic, non-judgmental, patient, calm and accepting you increase your

chances of obtaining the information you need to help the caller, ensure the safety of our field

units and make your job easier.

Resourceswww.cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control &

Prevention)www.nimn.nih.gov (National Institute for Mental

Health)www.suicide.orgwww.medicinenet.comwww.metanoia.orgAPCO (The Association of Public Safety

Communications Officials)

Questions?