Some Secrets Should be Shared: Implementing an Evidence-based Suicide Prevention Program

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Meghan W. Diamon, Wellesly Hills, MAFollow

Location

Ballroom E

Strand #1

Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

Some Secrets Should be Shared: Implementing an Evidence-based Suicide Prevention Program relates to young people’s “Health” as well as their “Heart.” Youth suicide prevention programming addresses the mental health needs of all youth by teaching students to identify the symptoms of depression in themselves and their peers. Evidence-based prevention programming teaches students, parents and other trusted adults that suicidality is not a normal response to stress, but a preventable tragedy that occurs as a result of untreated mental health concerns, most often depression. While a universal approach to suicide prevention is critical in order to reach the entire population without regard to individual risk factors, it also works to reduce stigma around mental illness for students and adults. A focus on risk reduction and health promotion empowers youth to take action on behalf of peers at risk. Schools and community groups around the country are finding that implementing a universal youth suicide prevention program annually has led to significant improvements in social climate for all children. Peer-to-peer suicide prevention teaches a pro-social message that youth can utilize in all aspects of their relationships with each other: Acknowledge that you are seeing signs of depression, self-injury, or suicide in a friend and that it is serious. Care—let your friend know that you care about him or her, and that you are concerned that he or she needs help you cannot provide. Tell a trusted adult, either with your friend or on his or her behalf.

Brief Program Description

Youth suicide prevention is critical in schools and local communities. Participants will discuss published research on risk factors for youth suicide, how to implement an evidence-based prevention program, and how to tackle common obstacles encountered. Participants will be prepared to mobilize school staff, parents, and community members to address the critical issues of depression awareness and suicide prevention.

Summary

We would rather not talk about it, but youth suicide is a reality and it is more common than most people think. Nationally, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 12-18 (CDC, 2011). For professionals working within high poverty communities, the reality of suicide is even more common. Youth in low-income neighborhoods are two times as likely to struggle with suicidal ideation than their higher income peers and the odds of youth attempting suicide are about four times higher in disadvantaged neighborhoods (Dupere, 2009). Every young person growing up in a low income community is more likely to know someone who is contemplating suicide. These young people need and deserve the tools needed to take action. Schools and community-based organizations across the country are teaming up to provide effective youth suicide prevention programming. This has included implementation of an evidence-based, universal prevention program for middle and high school students. Using the help-seeking acronym ACT (Acknowledge, Care, and Tell), the program teaches youth to recognize signs of depression or suicide in themselves or in a friend and how to respond effectively. The program also engages school staff, parents, and community members as partners in youth suicide prevention and educates them as natural gatekeepers in ensuring youth safety. Schools are encouraged to partner with community-based providers to gain broad-based support. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1- Identify five warning signs and risk factors for depression and suicidality in youth. 2- Discuss research on the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of implementing a school or community-based suicide prevention program. 3- Identify three effective ways for schools and community-based organizations to collaborate to support youth suicide prevention efforts.

Evidence

The program is implemented nationwide; to date, it is the only universal school-based suicide prevention program for which a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts has been documented with a randomized experimental design (Aseltine, 2007). In the randomized controlled study, the program showed a reduction in self-reported suicide attempts by 40%. Based on evidence from the first year of a 2-year study involving over 2,100 students in 5 schools (Aseltine, 2004), the program was added to SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. A study published in BMC Public Health, 2007 found the program to be associated with significantly greater knowledge, more adaptive attitudes about depression and suicide, and most importantly, significantly fewer suicide attempts among intervention youths relative to untreated controls (Aseltine, 2007).

Biographical Sketch

Meghan Diamon, MSW, LCSW, Youth Programs Manager at Screening for Mental Health, Inc., oversees the SOS Signs of Suicide and Signs of Self-Injury Prevention Programs. Meghan received her Master’s of Social Work at the University of Georgia and gained clinical and case management experience working with youth in Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, and London, England. Beyond her clinical experience, Meghan has experience partnering with school districts, administrators and educators to implement evidence-based programming for at-risk youth.

Keyword Descriptors

suicide, depression, mental health, culture, climate, evidence-based, prevention

Presentation Year

2015

Start Date

3-2-2015 3:00 PM

End Date

3-2-2015 4:15 PM

Recommended Citation

Diamon, Meghan W., "Some Secrets Should be Shared: Implementing an Evidence-based Suicide Prevention Program" (2015). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 172.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2015/2015/172