Church of the Rock - Suicide Prevention Policy

Suicide Prevention Policy

If a child or youth threatens suicide or:

Talks or writes about wanting to die
Appears depressed, sad, withdrawn, hopeless
Shows significant changes in behavior, appearance, mood (either being "normal" to being depressed or the reverse)
Abuses drugs, alcohol
Deliberately injuries himself or herself
Says he or she will not be missed if gone
Gives away treasured belongings...

You need to:

MAKE SURE THAT AT NO TIME THE CHILD/YOUTH IS LEFT UNATTENDED!

CALL 911 IF YOU THINK IT IS AN EMERGENCY! IF NOT AN EMERGENCY:

Stay calm and listen
Take threats seriously
Let him or her talk about his or her feelings
Be accepting; do not judge
Ask if they have a plan
Do not swear to secrecy - tell someone
Immediately call parent
1. Explain to them the situation
2. Encourage them to call Suicide/Crisis Clinic (524-6554)
3. Encourage them to take their child to professional counseling
Call the pastor, if a pastor is not available call an elder
If you are on a field trip or on a overnight trip
1. Stay with the child/youth
2. Send for the group's leader so they can determine what action to take
3. Call the pastor, if a pastor is not available call an elder
Fill out an Incident Report as soon as possible

Suicide prevention is broader than responding to a crisis situation. Prevention efforts are aimed to reduce or reverse risk factors and to enhance protective factors before the vulnerable person reaches a point of danger. With this in mind:
We as a church are not qualified to give this kind of intervention. We can pray and be a support to the youth and their families, but under no circumstance are we to only "pray" a child/youth through this type of crisis. Professional intervention is necessary and must be contacted immediately.

Did you Know?

Experts speak of common misunderstandings that stand in the way of suicide prevention:

Myth:	Persons who talk about suicide rarely actually complete suicide; they are just wanting attention and should be challenged in order to "call their bluff."
The truth is:	Persons who talk about suicide are serious and may be giving a clue or warning of their intentions. They should not be challenged, but given assistance in obtaining professional help.
Myth:	A person who has made a serious suicide attempt is unlikely to make another.
The truth is:	Persons who have made prior attempts are often at greater risk of completing suicide. A suicide attempt is a cry for help and a warning that something is terribly wrong and should be taken with the utmost seriousness.
Myth:	The suicidal person wants to die and feels there is no turning back.
The truth is:	Suicidal persons often feel ambivalent about dying. They often go through a long process in which they try various ways to reduce their profound emotional pain. The balance between their contradictory desires to live and to die shifts back and forth, even up to the time of taking their life.
Myth:	Most people who take their life have made a careful, well-considered, rational decision.
The truth is:	Persons considering suicide often have "tunnel vision": in their unbearable pain they are blind to available alternatives. Frequently, the suicide act is impulsive. When their suffering and pain are reduced, most will choose to live.
Myth:	Asking about suicidal feelings will cause one to attempt suicide.
The truth is:	That asking a person about suicidal feelings provides an opportunity to get help that may save a life. The listener should ask if the person has formulated a plan and has access to the means to carry it out. If the intent, a plan, and the means are there, the suicidal person should not be left alone but be helped to get treatment immediately, by calling 911 if necessary.

This policy is adapted from The Suicide and Information Center online at www.siec.ca/helpcard.htm and from "A Message on Suicide Prevention" by The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.