was created by a group of leaders from Ascension Leadership Academy (VT3) to address su***de prevention in children and adolescents. The three pillars of su***de prevention, Hearts of Purpose & Empowerment (H.O.P.E) is going to focus on over the next several years are the following:
1. Phase 1: Promoting Social Connectedness & Support
Supportive relationships and community connectedness can hel
p protect individuals against su***de despite the presence of risk factors in their lives. You can enhance connectedness through social programs for specific population groups (such as older adults or LGBT youth) and through other activities that reduce isolation, promote a sense of belonging, and foster emotionally supportive relationships. Phase 1 of the Hearts of Purpose & Empowerment (H.O.P.E.) will include raising funds to sponsor schools to implement the evidence-based program Sources of Strength https://sourcesofstrength.org
Sources of Strength’s mission and vision are as follows:
“Our mission is to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for su***de, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength.”
2. Phase 2: Enhancing Life Skills & Resilience
By helping people build life skills, such as critical thinking, stress management, and coping, you can prepare them to safely address challenges such as economic stress, divorce, physical illness, and aging. Resilience—the ability to cope with adversity and adapt to change—is a protective factor against su***de risk. While it has some overlap with life skills, resilience also encompasses other attributes such as optimism, positive self-concept, and the ability to remain hopeful. Skills training, mobile apps, and self-help materials are examples of ways to increase life skills and build resilience.
3. Phase 3: Identify and Assist Persons at Risk through psychoeducation and training
Many people in distress don’t seek help or support on their own. Identifying people at risk for su***de can help you reach those in the greatest need and connect them to care and support. Examples of activities in this strategy include gatekeeper training, su***de screening, and teaching warning signs. Su***de in Teens and Children Symptoms & Causes
What causes su***de? Research shows that approximately 90% of people who have died by su***de were suffering from a mental illness at the time. The most common mental illness reported was depression. Impulsivity and substance use, including alcohol and drugs, are also warning signs for elevated su***de risk. It is important to remember that suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not the natural consequence of serious life stresses. People who experience a stressful life event may feel intense sadness or loss, anxiety, anger, or hopelessness, and may occasionally have the thought that they would be better off dead. In most people, however, experiences of stressful life events do not trigger recurring thoughts of death, creation of a su***de plan, or intent to die. If any of these are present, it suggests that the person is suffering from depression or another psychiatric disorder and should seek professional treatment. The majority of children and adolescents who attempt su***de have a significant mental health disorder, usually depression. Among younger children, su***de attempts are often impulsive. They may be associated with feelings of sadness, confusion, anger, or problems with attention and hyperactivity. Among teenagers, su***de attempts may be associated with feelings of stress, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, disappointment, and loss. For some teens, su***de may appear to be a solution to their problems. Who is affected by su***de? Unfortunately, su***de crosses all age, racial, and socioeconomic groups in the US and around the world. In the US, su***de is the 2nd leading cause of death among children and adolescents ages 10-24, and the 3rd leading cause of death among 12 year olds. Nearly one of every eight children between the ages 6 and 12 has suicidal thoughts. The su***de rate is approximately 4 times higher among males than among females, but females attempt su***de 3 times as often as males. When a su***de occurs, everyone is affected, including the people who are left behind. Risk factors associated with su***de among adolescents include psychiatric disorders such as major depressive, bipolar, conduct and substance use disorders; psychiatric comorbidity especially the combination of mood, disruptive and substance abuse disorders; family history of depression or su***de; loss of a parent to death or divorce; physical and/or sexual abuse; lack of a support network; feelings of social isolation; and bullying. The prevalence of attempting su***de among adolescents is higher in:
• Females compared with males; though males are more likely to die by su***de.
• Non-Hispanic black high schoolers than non-Hispanic white high schoolers.
• Students who identified as being gay, le***an or bisexual compared with students who identified as heterosexual. What are the symptoms of su***de? The primary symptom of su***de is talking about su***de or doing something to try to harm oneself. If your child expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits self-harming behaviors, seek professional help. There are many warning signs and risk factors for su***de. The list below is not exhaustive, but is intended to provide insight into what factors might elevate a child or adolescent’s level of su***de risk. This does not mean that if your child or adolescent has some of these risk factors, then s/he will automatically take his/her own life. Su***de risk takes into account many factors and needs to be continuously monitored by a mental health professional. Remember that many factors combine to lead to a suicidal crisis and may include some of those that are listed below. Risk Factors:
• Mental illness/psychiatric diagnosis
• Family history of su***de and/or exposure to su***de
• Family history of mental illness
• Physical/sexual abuse
• Losses
• Aggressive behavior/impulsivity
• Lack of social support/social isolation
• Poor coping skills
• Access to ways of harming oneself, like guns, knives, etc.
• Difficulties in dealing with sexual orientation
• Physical illness
• Family disruptions (divorce or problems with the law)
• Traumatic event
Warning Signs:
• Preoccupation with death (e.g., recurring themes of death or self-destruction in artwork or written assignments
• Intense sadness and/or hopelessness
• Not caring about activities that used to matter
• Social withdrawal from family, friends, sports, social activities
• Substance abuse
• Sleep disturbance (either not sleeping or staying awake all night)
• Giving away possessions
• Risky behavior
• Lack of energy
• Inability to think clearly/concentration problems
• Declining school performance/increased absences from school
• Increased irritability
• Changes in appetite
Su***de is a serious public health problem among all age groups. Among youth it exacts an enormous toll due to the significant years of potential life lost. In 2017, there were more than 6,200 su***de deaths among adolescents and young adults ages 15-24, making it the second-leading cause of death for that age group. Youth suicidal ideation, attempt and completion are on the rise. Far more adolescents have suicidal thoughts or attempt su***de and survive than those who die by su***de. Results from the 2019 Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show that in the past year 18.8% of high school students seriously considered attempting su***de and 8.9% attempted su***de. The cost of su***de attempts in the United States in 2013 was estimated to be $58.4 billion. The average cost per su***de for adolescents and young adults is estimated to be at least $1.4 million, with most of the cost resulting from lost productivity.
