LOSS TEAM

Lincoln/Lancaster Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS Team)

Donald P. Belau, Ph.D.Dave Miers, Ph.D.Michele Phillips

www.nelossteam.nebraska.edu

1icService AreaThe Lincoln/Lancaster County LOSS Team serves the city of Lincoln and the counties of Lancaster and Seward. Also, as requested, the LOSS team has reached out to other communities throughout the state of Nebraska.

Today, we are going to address issues that those who are bereaved by suicide often confront. We will be introducing the LOSS team concept and will be open to accepting any questions or feedback at anytime. Contact information may be found at the end of this presentation or on this webpage:www.nelossteam.nebraska.edu .Suicide interrupts a life & the lives of those around that person!!

The grief that a person experiences when bereaved by suicide is unique unto that individual.

Feelings of despair, loneliness, anger, and a multitude of other emotions that cannot be named or labeled surge into the lives of those who were connected with that person.

Many will find that with support, the chaos & confusion that go with such a loss can move to a path where healing can begin

Potential Legacy Issues for Adult Children of Suicide When in treatment programs, are asked to look into that suicide of their dad or mom when they were a child.

Alcohol, Drugs, Relationship issues, and Work problems.

Trust issues and Foreshortened future.

Hyper mature when young, with often prolonged adolescent behavior as adults.55Slide 93 Legacy issues for Adult Children of Suicide

Mark stated in the video that he did end up having addiction problems, despite his commitment to not drink like his dad. Mark also shared that his greatest fear was to find himself in a state of despair, like his dad, contemplating suicide. These are common legacy issues for Adult Children of Suicide (ACOS.)

Click one Often referred as adults from a treatment program to look into that suicide of their mom or dad when they were a child

Many of the ACOS that seek a survivors-of-suicide program are referred by a counselor. Often its been a counselor or therapist whos taken a complete psycho-social history of the ACOS and discovered his or her exposure to suicide as a child. Then while in treatment for an addiction problem, it appeared that the death might have been a contributing factor in the addictive behavior.

Families Needs Following the Death of a Teenager to SuicideResearch conducted by David Miers, PhD, BryanLGH Medical Center.The purpose of the phenomenological study was to explore the needs families have following the death of a teenager to suicide. Miers, D., Abbott, D., & Springer, P. R., (in press). Phenomenological study of family needs following the suicide of a teenager. Death Studies

Themes#1. Support in the Way of ListeningListeningSub themeThings not to say

#2. Support from Another Suicide SurvivorSomeone who has lost a family member/friend to suicide themselves

7Themes#3. Support in Finding DirectionWhat to do first?Resources available

#4. Support in Seeing TeenSeeing body before taken away

8Themes#5. Support in Remembering TeenImportant Dates and Events

#6. Support in Giving Back to OthersOpportunities to Give Back

9LOSS TEAMThe LOSS (the Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors team) provides immediate support to those bereaved by suicide.

LOSS primarily acts as a first response team when a suicide occurs and works together with law enforcement officers, chaplains, and other first responders. They can also provide support in the aftermath of the suicide, sometimes days/weeks later.

LOSS team members often serve as bridges to assist newly bereaved to access resources such as support groups.10LOSS TEAMA goal of the LOSS Team is to let those bereaved by suicide know that resources exist as soon as possible following the death.

Resources are often unknown to most individuals bereaved by suicide, but with the LOSS team visit, these resources become more available.

Those that have been bereaved by suicide are able to connect with those LOSS Team members who have experienced losses themselves. 11LOSS EvidenceResearch has shown that those bereaved by suicide can be at 9 times greater risk to complete suicide. However, with the intervention of a team of individuals composed of clinicians and suicide survivors these individuals can be predicted to seek emotional assistance within months of a completed suicide as compared to years, if at all. 12Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsA Seed is Planted:2005 Annual American Association of Suicidology Meeting.

Dr. Frank Campbells presentation outlining the LOSS program with Donald P. Belau, Ph.D. and David Miers Ph.D. NSSPC Co-Chairs attending.13Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsThe Seed Takes Root:January 13, 2006.

Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Committee elected to begin the planning process of adopting the LOSS program in Southeast Nebraska as a pilot project.

14Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsNovember 7, 2007--Hope and Healing: A Capacity Building Workshop conducted by Dr. Frank Campbell on at the BryanLGH East. In attending were those bereaved by suicide, mental health professionals, media, and the county attorneys office. 15

Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsFebruary 29, 2008.LOSS Team Stakeholders Meeting & Follow up Training-Dr. Frank Campbell.Monthly training commences.Infrastructure developed.Lincoln Police Department Chaplains assist in developing the procedures.Lancaster County Sheriffs department comes on board.16Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsMarch 2008.Monthly training for LOSS team members implemented.Continued recruitment for LOSS team members, and development of Interagency Collaboration.January 2009.LOSS Team Development Group organized. 17Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsMay 2009.Support groups identifiedRay of Hope, etc.Program Evaluation & support for LOSS Team Members.July 2009.LOSS team activated, two active teams, plus reserves in the city of Lincoln.Chaplains Corp agrees to provide critical link between police and the LOSS team.

18Nebraska LOSS Team DevelopsJanuary 2010.Statewide Teleconference promoting suicide prevention, local coalition development, etc. creates interest in 4 sites across the state in developing a LOSS team.August 2010.Lancaster County Sheriffs Office.Summer 2011. Seward County added to teams outreach area.

19Lincoln/Lancaster LOSS Team StructureThree person teams: Team leader, team member & clinician.20Lincoln/Lancaster LOSS Team ProcessMembers of the LOSS team, are activated by police chaplains or law enforcement to the scene of the suicide and are present to offer resources, support, and sources of hope to the newly bereaved.

Generally on the scene within 4 to 6 hours once scene is declared a suicide.

Team members additionally provide follow-up contact with those bereaved by suicide and help coordinate the utilization of services and support groups within the community.

If the family does not wish to receive a LOSS team call-out, the team can provide informational materials and an empathy phone call.21LOSS Team ExperienceJuly 1, 2009, the LOSS team became active.Over 20 call outs to date.Call outs average 45-60 minutes.

22LOSS Team ExperienceEach callout results in an average of 3 follow up calls. Support groups in the community are seeing survivors attend.Media is supportive.Team members are working as a team.Monthly training/meetings are averaging 80% attendance.

23Family ResponseFamilies have been overwhelmingly receptive and open towards a LOSS team visit.Statistics show that families who receive a LOSS team visit seek help within 39 days. versus families who do not receive a LOSS team visit may wait up to 5 years to seek help. Responses to LOSS Team CallsBecause the team member is able to focus on serving others who are bereaved by suicide, this helps the team member to be other-oriented in stead of swallowed by their grief.When a team member does experience a grief-burst, we have the benefit of the other team members and the clinical director to lean on.The team member has a sense of pride in that they are doing something constructive to honor their loved one.

Effects Upon TeamDuring debriefing, the LOSS team has the ability to check in with each others emotional well-being and to talk through any personal memories that may have been brought up during the call out.Each new call out brings with it new circumstances and new challenges and team members have ever new opportunities to grow, learn, develop, and expand in the LOSS program.Diversity within the LOSS team makes the team exceptionally versatile in adapting to each situation we walk into.LOSS StrengthsDedicated team members committed to reducing pain & helping survivors to move on.Ability to provide immediate support.Community support. Law enforcement collaboration.Ongoing training.Careful screening.Focus upon being nonjudgmental, & flexible.Taking care of one another.

27POSSIBLE LOSS TEAM OUTCOMESMonitor the elapsed time between death of a loved one and the survivor seeking help by establishing collaboration with mental health providers in the community in comparing those who receive LOSS services, and those who do not.

28POSSIBLE LOSS TEAM OUTCOMESDecrease the stigma associated with being a suicide survivor by offering and providing educational materials, resources, etc. Increase collaboration with law enforcement, and the faith communities that will allow for identification of possible consumers of the LOSS service.Viewing a decrease in survivor adjustment issues within the community.

2930 LOSS ORGANIZATION CHART NEBRASKA STATE SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION LOSS DEVELOPMENT GROUP LINCOLN/LANCASTER OUTREACH to SURVIVORS of SUICIDE (LOSS TEAM)LOSS DEVELOPMENT GROUPThe Loss Development Group assists the Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition in providing direct supervision and support of the LOSS team.

It works in a collaborative manner with various community partners such as the Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska, BryanLGH Medical Center, Community Mental Health Center of Lancaster County, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, the Lincoln Police Department Chaplaincy Corps, etc.LOSS DEVELOPMENT GROUP MEMBERSHIPDiverse representation from areas such as:Co-chairpersons of the Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition.Law enforcement (Lincoln Police Department & Lancaster County Sheriff office). 32LOSS DEVELOPMENT GROUP MEMBERSHIPInterchurch Ministries of Nebraska.Community Mental Health Center of Lancaster County .Lincoln Police Department Chaplain Corps.Suicide Survivors.Suicide Survivor advocates.

.33LOSS DEVELOPMENT GROUP Monthly meetings1) Developing the infrastructure necessary to maintain the LOSS team.2) Screening of prospective LOSS team members.3) Being a liaison with state/community agencies such as Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition, Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health, Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln Chaplains Corps, Lancaster County Attorney, Lancaster County Sheriff. LOSS DEVELOPMENT GROUP4) Providing ongoing training for the LOSS team.5) Developing a data collection and evaluation process.6) Assisting other communities who wish to develop LOSS team interventions models.7) 5 communities across greater Nebraska are pursuing the development of LOSS effort.

National LOSS Conferences1st annual in Lincoln May 19-21, 2011. 100+ attended.

2nd - May 31-June 2, 2012, BryanLGH Medical Center West .

Planning ongoing for future National LOSS Conferences.Discover Channel Video37

Contact InformationDonald.belau@doane.eduDave.miers@bryanlgh.orgMichele.mphillips@yahoo.com

www.nelossteam.nebraska.eduwww.suicideprevention.nebraska.eduwww.youthsuicideprevention.nebraska.edu

1-800-273-TALK(8255)