More than Sad: Suicide Prevention Training for Parents at DCIS
Attendees of the More Than Sad Suicide Prevention Training for Parents at the Darlington County Intervention School on Thursday, April 21.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Suicide is a leading cause of death—and it’s preventable.
The Darlington County Intervention School hosted More Than Sad: Suicide Prevention Training for Parents on Thursday, April 21 in Darlington in hopes that sharing information with the community will help to prevent tragic loss of life for local families. The presenter was Helen Pridgen, the South Carolina Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP) She is a principal founder of the ASFP-SC Chapter and served as Board Chair for three years. She was just awarded the South Carolina Social Worker of the Year.
Pridgen shared that she became involved in the field after losing a loved one to suicide. “I don’t want this to happen to another family,” she said. “It is heartbreaking. It is tragic. But it happens every day in families across the country.”
The attendees of the training were split into three groups; parents and caregivers with Ms. Pridgen, and children and teens were placed into age appropriate groups led by certified training instructors. The More Than Sad training had two components; one for parents, and one for high school students.
The parent program teaches participants how to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems, initiate a conversation about mental health with their child, and get how to help.
The high school student program teaches teens to recognize the signs of depression in themselves and others, challenges the stigma surrounding depression, and demystifies the treatment process.
The More Than Sad programs are available free of charge on the ASFP website, asfp.org as downloadable files (including a PowerPoint presentation and files to read, save or print); the teen and teacher materials are also available for free downloads.
The training in person, however, allowed participants to interact, share concerns, and ask questions.
After the meeting, Ms. Pridgen shared her thoughts about the training event. “We congratulate the Darlington County Intervention School and the Pee Dee Unit of the SC Chapter National Association of Social Workers in being proactive by offering More Than Sad Suicide Prevention Training for Parents.” she said. “It was impressive that so many parents were present to demonstrate support to their teens and to the school. We salute this caring community.”
Helen Pridgen
Photo by Jana E. Pye
“Providing the More Than Sad training to our parents and students was indeed a good decision,” shared Zenobia Edwards, Ed.D., Director of the Darlington County Intervention School. “The intent was to educate participants about how to recognize the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide, and how to attain proper assistance in such a fragile situation. Both students and parents commented about how timely the training was given different personal life situations.”
The attendee roster for the training event consisted of forty parents, forty students, and representatives from area organizations such as DSS, McLeod hospital, and several Darlington County School District employees.
“I am grateful to Ms. Helen Pridgen for offering her wisdom to our community; and to Dr. Jeanne Cook for her assistance in bringing this to fruition.” said Edwards. “I also want to thank Ms. Fondtrice McCormick, DCIS social worker and Ms. Julia Peterson, DCSD attendance coordinator who are also trained More Than Sad facilitators. They provided the workshop for our student attendees. This community education event was well received, so stay tuned for more to come.”
Dr. Zenobia Edwards
Photo by Jana E. Pye
Risk Factors and Warning Signs
What leads to suicide?
There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions lead fulfilling lives.
Get Involved:
The AFSP South Carolina Chapter brings people across the state to fight suicide. Visit: afsp.org
Become an Advocate in South Carolina:
Contact Nicole Gibson, Director of State Policy and Grassroots Advocacy at: ngibson@afsp.org
Get Help:
800-273-TALK (8255) The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free, 24/7 service for suicidal persons or loved ones with support, information and local resources.
Suicide Warning Signs
Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.
Talk
If a person talks about:
• Being a burden to others
• Feeling trapped
• Experiencing unbearable pain
• Having no reason to live
• Killing themselves
Behavior
Specific things to look out for include:
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means
• Acting recklessly
• Withdrawing from activities
• Isolating from family and friends
• Sleeping too much, or too little
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• Giving away prized possessions
• Aggression
Mood
People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
• Depression
• Loss of interest
• Rage
• Irritability
• Humiliation
• Anxiety
Suicide: South Carolina 2016 Facts and Figures
Suicide Death Rates
Number of Deaths by Suicide:
• South Carolina: 753
• Nationally: 42,773
Rate per 100,000 population:
• South Carolina: 15.13
• Nationally: 12.93
South Carolina ranks 23rd on suicide deaths.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall in South Carolina.
On average, one person dies by suicide every 11.5 hours in the state.
Suicide cost South Carolina a total of $748,610,000 of combined lifetime medical and work loss cost in 2010, or an average of $1,175,213 per suicide death.
In South Carolina, suicide is the…
• 1st leading cause of death for ages 10 – 14
• 2nd leading cause of death for ages 25 – 34
• 3rd leading cause of death for ages 15 – 24
• 4th leading cause of death for ages 25 – 44
• 5th leading cause of death for ages 45-54
• 9th leading cause of death for ages 55-64
More than twice as many people die by suicide in South Carolina annually than by homicide; the total deaths to suicide reflect a total of 14,438 years of potential life lost (YPLL) before age 65
