MS Health I Instructional Guide

The Qualities of Helpful People

Helpful people notice signs of suicidal behavior like these: • Feelings: feeling hopeless, helpless, very sad, agitated, or anxious

• Actions or events: using alcohol or other drugs, talking about death, fighting or arguing, staying away from usual friends, avoiding usual activities, or being aggressive • Changes: seeming and behaving differently, sleeping and eating more or less or at unusual times, changing interests and hobbies, trying a new look, or suddenly being in a better mood after feeling down or alone • Threats: obsessing about death and dying, threatening to kill himself or herself if something doesn’t go right, planning suicide, giving away favorite things, hurting himself or herself, making a suicidal gesture, or attempting suicide • Situations: experiencing a recent loss or breakup, or getting into trouble

WHAT TO DO

1. Show you care.

• Listen without judging or giving advice. • Take all talk of suicide seriously. • Stay calm and stay with your friend.

2. Ask about suicide.

Ask about suicide very directly: • “Are you thinking about suicide?” • “Are you wishing you were dead?” • “Are you planning how you will kill yourself?”

3. Get help.

• Take action sooner rather than later. • Ask your friend to name a trusted adult, and offer to go with him or her to talk to that adult. • Call a crisis line. • Offer help/hope in any way you can. • Know your own limits. • Ask a trusted adult for help, even if your friend doesn't want help.

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LIFELINES PREVENTION GRADES 7–10 CURRICULUM: SESSION 3

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CANYONS SCHOOL DISTRICT - SANDY, UT