Suicide Prevention

Links

Forms

Contact Info

Ashley M. Curley
School Based Youth Services Program

Phone:
908-788-6401 x 3930 Hunterdon Behavioral Health (year round)

E-Mails:
curley.ashley@
hunterdonhealthcare.org or
acurley@nhvweb.net

Suicide Prevention
Home > Services > School Based Youth Services > Suicide Prevention

There are 8.2 deaths that occur as a result of suicide for every 100,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19 in the United States (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). In 2007, 14.5% of U.S. high school students reported they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 6.9% stated they actually attempted suicide 1 or more times over the past year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).

Due to the high rates of suicide and suicide attempts among adolescents, it is important for everyone to be aware of the warning signs of suicide and to report it to mental health or medical personnel immediately.

Warning Signs for Suicide

Primary Characteristics:

Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and/or,
Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or,
Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

A person experiencing ANY of these symptoms should not be left alone, and help should be sought IMMEDIATELY.

Secondary Characteristics (risk factors/possible signs of suicide):

Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use
No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
Feeling trapped - like there’s no way out
Hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends, family and society
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Dramatic mood changes.

If someone you know is trying to or has threatened to hurt or kill themselves you should:

Notify emergency or mental health personnel. You can call 911 or contact the Hunterdon Behavioral Health Crisis Line (24 hours) at 908-788-6400.
If the person is in your presence, do not leave them alone. If you are not physically with the suicidal person such as in the case of receiving a suicide threat or attempt by text message or phone call, get in touch with someone immediately who might be in close proximity to where the suicidal person may be and make them aware.
If you are in school, and you are aware of someone who is threatening suicide you can contact Ashley M. Curley, School Based Youth Services Counselor (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays) or Jeff Hunt, Student Assistance Counselor. If neither person is on the school premises, ask to speak with a guidance counselor.

Don't be afraid to get help for yourself if you feel like you might hurt yourself or try to kill yourself. You have one life to live and their are no second chances if you are not alive. You may feel overwhelmed or that your problems are too difficult to deal with, but there are people who care about you and people that are willing to help you feel like your life is worth living.