Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the organizations listed nor do I intend to give my opinion on gun control.
I got inspired to share this with you after attending the North Dakota American Academy of Pediatrics Spring Conference. A majority of the discussion was about suicide and firearm injuries in today’s youth.
It is quite a ‘heavy’ topic; however, I don’t think we can ever talk about it too much. So that’s why I’m going to highlight a few things I learned and give a few quick tips on how we can help the kiddos!
Suicide Facts
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for children.
- 70% of people who survived a suicide attempt reported deciding to take their life within 10 minutes of the act.
- 1 US child takes their life every 18 hours.
- Firearm-related deaths are the 3rd leading cause of death among US children 1-17 years.
- 1.8 per 100,000 children from years 2012-2014 died from firearm injury
- 53% from homicide
- 38% from suicide
- 6% unintentional
- 4% unknown or legal intervention
- Firearms are the most deadly means of suicide in North Dakota.
- Children have access to predatory apps, sites and games!
Warning Signs
- IS PATH WARM
- Ideation – expressed ideation
- Substance Abuse – increased use
- Purposelessness
- Anxiety
- Trapped
- Hopelessness
- Withdrawal
- Anger
- Recklessness – high risk behaviors
- Mood Change
Programs
- BeSMART Campaign
- Secure all guns in homes and vehicles
- Model responsible behavior
- Ask about unsecured guns in other homes
- Recognize the roles of guns in suicide
- Tell your peers about Be SMART
- Bark
- An application that allows you to connect and monitor your children’s accounts/devices for “signs of cyber-bullying, depression, online predators, adult content, and more”!
- Talk Saves Lives
- “A community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide”
- Find the chapter nearest you and have them come talk at your event!
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- To help you take action and learn more about suicide
- Sources of Strength
- “One of the first suicide prevention programs that uses Peer Leaders to enhance protective factors associated with reducing suicide at the school population level”
- FirstLink
- ND local
- Provides training for suicide prevention and intervention
- Provides hotline
5 Steps to Help Someone
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Ask
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Keep them safe
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Be there
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Help them call 1-800-272-TALK(8255) or text HOME to 741-741
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Follow up
Fowler KA, Dahlberg LL, Haileyesus T, Gutierrez C, Bacon S. Childhood firearm injuries in the United States. Pediatrics. 2017:140.