Screening for Suicide Dustin W. Bogan, PA C Pediatric and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Screening for Suicide

Dustin W. Bogan, PA‐C Pediatric and Adolescent Health Partners

Suicide

• Know the language
• Suicide: Death caused by self‐directed injurious

behavior with intent to die as a result

• Suicide Attempt: Non‐fatal, self‐directed,

potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior

• Suicidal Ideation: Thinking about, considering,
• r planning suicide

Suicide Warning Signs

• Talking or joking about committing suicide
• Saying things like “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I could

disappear,” or “There is no way out”

• Speaking positively about death or romanticizing death
• Writing stories or poems about death, dying, or suicide
• Reckless behavior or frequent accidents
• Giving away prized possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends or family as if it were the last time
• Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themself

Suicide

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United

States

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in teens and

young adults ages 10‐34

• Someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes in the United

States

• 47,163 suicides in 2017 compared to 19,510 homicides
• A majority of individuals who die by suicide have

contact with their healthcare provider within 3 months prior to their death

Pilot Study Results

• 12% of suicide screens were positive
• 91% of the participants thought it was a good

idea to screen

• 83% of parents think suicide screening should

take place in the pediatric office

• 1/3 children had previously been asked about

suicide

“Suicidal thoughts can happen at random times. It’s better to offend someone asking them than not asking at

• all. People who want to commit suicide have a mask on.

Try to ask questions in a way that will penetrate the mask, but leave it intact. “

The Truth about Screening

• Suicide is common, screening is necessary
• Asking about suicide does not increase someone’s risk
• f dying by suicide
• Talking about suicide creates an opportunity for

communication

• Someone with suicidal ideation has not made up their

mind yet

• Suicide screening is brief, easy, and effective
• The Ask Suicide‐Screening Questions take only 20

seconds to complete

Suicide Prevention

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 1‐800‐273‐TALK (8255)
• Spanish: 1‐888‐628‐9454
• Crisis Text Line
• Text HOME to 741‐741
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• www.sprc.org
• National Institute of Mental Health
• www.nimh.nih.gov
• Ask Suicide‐Screening Questions Toolkit
• https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research‐conducted‐at‐nimh/asq‐toolkit‐

materials/index.shtml

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• www.samhsa.gov