Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death in our West Virginian youth. Despite opinions and perspectives; though no one knows all the answers; we know it is a problem warranting public health concern. We need to recognize and respond so no one goes unnoticed. We have to be active in ensuring we don’t continue to lose young individuals to a most preventable death. We don’t know why; we don’t have all of the answers; we just know we have to do something.

• Every 16 minutes in this country, we lose someone to suicide.
• Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for the youth of West Virginia, ages 15-24.
• From 2000-2006 there have been 262 suicides in this age group with an increasingly rapid rate in 20-24 years olds.
• Saying suicide doesn’t make someone more suicidal.
• There is a significant link of at least 80% between suicide and mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Nationwide in 2007, 16.9% of high school students had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months before the survey. Overall, the prevalence of having seriously considered attempting suicide was higher among female than male students.

• Recognize
  So what do I need to know? Learning about the risks of suicide and providing for protective measures against such factors incorporates important components of suicide prevention. 80% of individuals who are thinking about completing suicide communicate their intentions in either a verbal or behavioral manner. There are signs and warnings for suicidal intent and completion. They are both recognizable and referable.
  
  • Ideation
  • Substance Abuse
  
  
  • Purposelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Trapped
  • Hopelessness
  
  
  • Withdrawal
  • Anger
  • Recklessness
  • Mood Changes
  
  
• Respond
  All signs are worth recognizing. Every statements warrant a response Dismissing doesn’t make it go away. You don’t always get a chance for hindsight, you have to act.
  
  As an individual interacting with youth, we know you tend to identify adolescents who seem vulnerable or at risk. There is something setting off alarms; raising red flags. How do you know if what you're seeing is part of the normal ups and downs of adolescence or something more severe?
  
  There is no fool-proof way to automatically know the intention of the individual you are concerned about, the only thing to do is ASK; QUESTION; TALK to the person.
  
  Know saying the word doesn’t make someone more apt to do it. If the word suicide has crossed your mind about someone who seems to be depressed or in significant psychological pain, then it has probably crossed their mind as well.
  
  
• Remain
  Stay there. Let them know they can get help. Let them know you are there until you are sure they have what they need. NEVER LEAVE A SUICIDAL PERSON ALONE!
  
• Refer
  Direct the person towards help. Direct directly, don’t count on them to seek help themselves as they have sought you as a source of help; as a person to trust. Lead them to the most appropriate intervention. Know you resources and referral process. If you don’t know where to go, call the Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK for help.
  
  Sometimes intervention is being in the right place at the right time. Your role in youth suicide prevention is critical. You may be the one to save a life. We have interventions that might work, they may prevent, if just one, it would be somebody’s someone.