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#MythBustingMondays-Once a teen has a suicide attempt, they’ve learned their lesson

Previous suicide attempts are serious predictor of future completed suicide

A  history of one or more suicide attempts is the strongest predictor for future suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide. Almost two thirds of those who die by suicide had a previous attempt which makes it a serious risk factor.

Charles had a previous attempt that I didn’t know to classify as one.  He had told me that he took a bunch of pills and didn’t know why he did it and he was both surprised and glad he woke up the next morning.

Was that a suicide attempt? It was.

I asked mental health professionals about it to try and define it but the question stayed suspended  in the air in solitude like one of those tennis shoes dangling on a telephone wire. At the time I thought we had dodged a serious attempt. He swore he’d never do it again and was very remorseful.

No one offered me any education on the subject despite my asking and it would be a long time before I would understand that’s not how suicidal ideation works with those suffering from depression. (Not that everyone with depression has suicidal ideation or that all people who die by suicide suffer from depression.)

Since 90% of parents are unaware their child has had a suicide attempt I co-present with NIMH scientist Lisa Horowitz PhD and advocate for the implementation of the ASQ, a 4-question screening tool for 10-24 year olds for use in emergency rooms and pediatric/family practice. 

Take all suicide threats and attempts seriously. 

 

What did Charles say prior to suicide to indicate his intentions?

Published by

Anne Moss Rogers

I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief. As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory. Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.

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