Suicide Prevention

Question 1

What is the definition of connectedness?

Answer 1

-sense of belonging
-feeling seen and heard
-knowing others care and will be there in a time of need

Question 2

How does connectedness help in suicide prevention?

Answer 2

-listening allows us to learn more about one another and recognize changes in behavior indicating someone is stressed

-when we feel connected, we know there are people we can reach out to in a time of need or when distressed

-fosters protective, supportive environments which increases resilience before, during, and after stressful events

Question 3

What are some risk factors for suicide?

Answer 3

-marital/relationship problems
-workplace or legal problems
-money/financial problems
-loss of a loved one or pet
-being close to someone who has died by suicide
-alcohol or drug use
-significant life-altering event (moving)

Question 4

What are some warning signs for suicide?

Answer 4

-talking about dying or suicide
-misuse or abuse of acohol/drugs
-extreme mood swings
-extreme behaviors outside of the person’s normal behavior
-withdrawal from family, friends and activities
-posting concerning messages on social media

Question 5

What does ACE stand for?

Answer 5

-Ask, Care, Escort

Question 6

How can you carry out the Ask portion of ACE?

Answer 6

-be direct and ask if they are thinking about dying by suicide (“Are you having thoughts about suicide?” “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”)

-avoid judgmental language

-demonstrate authentic concern, using your own words

Question 7

How can you carry out the Care portion of ACE?

Answer 7

-calmly express genuine concern
-understand personal barriers, to identify ways of showing care
-ask about and show concerns for physical safety
-listen carefully to learn what the person is thinking/feeling
-don’t try to “fix it”
-actively listen
-avoid blaming
-avoid minimizing language

Question 8

What does it mean to go SLO?

Answer 8

-use Safes
-use Locks
-store lethal means Outside

-ask if you or someone they know can help secure or remove any lethal tools

Question 9

How can you carry out the Escort portion of ACE?

Answer 9

-separate person from tools of self-harm (don’t risk your safety)
-follow-up with the person
-don’t avoid the person
-show empathy
-reintegration back into unit
-maintain connectedness
-let person guide the sharing
-empower them

Question 10

What does Lethal Means Safety mean?

Answer 10

-making a method less available and less likely to cause death in a suicide attempt