The Jason Foundation

“A Promise ForTomorrow”

A Promise For Tomorrow

Lesson A

In 1999…

Dr. David Satcher declared suicide as a “National Health

Problem”… especially within the youth and elderly populations.

The Jason FoundationThe Beginning…

July 16, 1997

LET’S SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE

PROBLEM OF YOUTH SUICIDE.

QUESTIONS

TRUE OR

FALSE

QUESTION 1

SUICIDE IS THE 3rd LEADING CAUSE OF

DEATH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

AGE 15 to 24?

ANSWER

TRUE

It is estimated that…

We lose approximately 100+ young people to suicide

EACH WEEK in our nation.

QUESTION 2

PEOPLE WHO TALK ABOUT OR

THREATEN SUICIDE RARELY COMMIT

SUICIDE?

ANSWER

FALSE

QUESTION 3

APPROXIMATELY ONE YOUNG PERSON DIES

BY SUICIDE EVERY

1 HOUR and 45 MINUTES?

ANSWER

TRUE

QUESTION 4

TALKING TO A PERSON ABOUT

SUICIDAL FEELINGS MAY CAUSE HIM/HER

TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE?

ANSWER

FALSE

QUESTION 5

Suicide is the number one preventable cause of death.

ANSWER

TRUE

QUESTION 6

People who are contemplating

suicide almost always indicate their intentions to someone

beforehand.

ANSWER

TRUE

IN FACT… In almost 70% of all suicides the

person told someone their intentions at least 1 hour before.

Why didn’t that person say anything to anyone?

Youth Suicide Statistics

1. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.

2. There has been a 300% increase in youth suicides in the past 40 years.

3. There has been a 128% increase in suicides for 10-14 year olds since 1980.

4. 100+ young people lose their lives to suicide each week.

5. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.

A Promise For Tomorrow

Lesson B

Video Presentation

“Choices”

A Promise For Tomorrow

Lesson C

Just a Bad Day or Something More…

• Do you think it is normal to have a bad day?

• What are some words that describe how you feel on your bad days?

• Does anyone notice you are having a bad day?

• If Yes, who?

• How do you know they notice?

Warning Signs• Suicide Threats• Previous Suicide Attempts• Sudden Changes In Behavior• Depression• Final Arrangements

Suicide Threats• “I would be better off dead!”

• “You won’t have me around much longer to bother you!”

• “I wish I was dead”

• “I am going to kill myself”…(this is straight forward, but it happens)

Can you think of other examples?

Previous Suicide Attempts• Four out of Five completed suicides

are NOT the first attempt• Physical Mutilation is a sign of

wanting to hurt oneself… that can result in suicide.

• Even if the attempt seems to be “only for attention” take it as a serious attempt.

Sudden Changes in Behavior

• A quiet person becomes loud and obvious.• A loud person becomes very quiet and

reserved.• A gentle person becomes aggressive and

angers easily.• An outgoing person becomes withdrawn.• Changes in grades or class attendance

Depression• Feeling the “blues” every day for two

weeks or longer

• Feelings of being alone or of no one caring

• Sleeplessness or wanting to sleep an abnormal amount of time

• Eating disorders- eating too much or not enough

Final Arrangements• The giving away of “prized

possessions” examples: favorite piece of jewelry or clothing, driver’s license, collection, etc.

• “Making rounds”… the visiting of friends to set things right and say good-bye.

• Sharing of funeral plans (primarily by girls to a best friend).

A Promise For Tomorrow

Lesson D

Video Presentation

“Choices” As we watch the video again pay attention to

the behavior of Mark and Jan to see if you can identify “signs of concern”. List on a piece of paper all the signs you see. Think about what you know about suicidal ideation. What would you have done before? What would you do now?

A Promise For Tomorrow

Lesson E

Talk Listen Respond

LIFE Listen

Insist on honesty

Feelings- share them

Extend a helping hand

How to Help

IT’S ABOUT LIVING L*I*F*E

L- represents the very first thing you must do…

LISTEN

I-represents the second thing you can do to help..

INSIST ON HONESTY

F-stands for the third thing you can do to help your friend, talk about FEELINGS, yours and theirs.

E-is for EXTEND A HELPING HAND. Go with your friend to get help.

POSSIBLE PLACES FOR HELP• Favorite Teacher/Coach

• Parent

• Clergy

• Guidance Counselor

• Medical Doctor

• Other Trusted Adult

• Crisis Line

• Local Mental Health Center

Friends Helping Friends• If you see any of the signs mentioned in a

friend or a classmate tell someone immediately.

• Be willing to risk your friendship to save a friend.

REMEMBERYour knowledge of suicidal ideation

could save someone’s life.

The Jason Foundation 181 East Main Street, Suite 5

Hendersonville, TN 37075

www.jasonfoundation.com

1-888-881-2323