Raymond Coalition for Youth hosts suicide-prevention session
200 'gatekeepers' trained to avert tragedy
By Andrea Bulfinch
rockinghamnews@seacoastonline.com
June 08, 2007 6:00 AM
RAYMOND — Recognize the warning signs and connect youth with help.
That's the goal of the Frameworks training program, a youth suicide-prevention program being offered to all members of the community.
Two hundred community members have been trained as "gatekeepers," anyone having contact with youth, by the Frameworks project staff and sponsored by the Raymond Coalition For Youth. It is a community-based suicide prevention initiative in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Suicide Prevention Partnership and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
New Hampshire is the first of 14 states to offer the federally-funded program. Monies are granted nationally on a competitive basis as the government has now identified youth suicide as a priority.
This program seeks to recognize youth at risk for a variety of behaviors. It teaches "gatekeepers" how to identify risk factors, warning signs, indirect expressions of death, how to communicate with youth and finally, how to connect them with help.
Each participant is asked to fill out a questionnaire that will be evaluated by the UNH Center on Adolescence over the next two years. The purpose is to help the Frameworks staff understand how well the training prepares participants to help youth at risk for suicide.
Starting the last week of June, the training will be opened to all school system staff. Every participant receives the "gatekeeper" training as the information pertains to everyone. Following that, a discipline-specific segment will be added to the training session.
"Ideally you'd want to train all the adults who live and work with youth and then train youth," Ann Duckless, NAMI community developer and educator, said. Eventually, the training will be open to students as well. The program itself is meant to inform people of behaviors that can be seen in persons from any walk of life, though it is recognized that youths ages 10 to 24 are an at-risk group for suicide.
A folder containing a copy of the PowerPoint presentation given during training, a resource list with contact information and a list of every gatekeeper in the community is given at training sessions. The folder also has information on NAMI and other national services. In addition to the questionnaire, a "self-care sheet" is offered due to the heavy content covered in the presentation.
"We understand that the issue of suicide is a very heavy issue and you want to take care of yourself first," Duckless said.
Nationally, there are over 30,000 suicide deaths each year, according to information from the National Center for Health Statistics given in the Frameworks training packet. One of the biggest hurdles in preventing a suicide is making the connection with someone or an agency that can help.
"We know there's a great stigma not only in New Hampshire but nationwide in suicide and seeking help," Duckless said , noting that suicide has become a public health problem throughout the country.
The goal of the program is simple in its delivery, but heavy in its responsibility. Anyone who has any contact with youth can play a part in preventing a suicide.
"We believe that everyone plays a role in suicide prevention," Duckless said. She emphasized that talking about suicide can only help; it will not give someone the idea to commit the act.
In Raymond, RCFY already does a number of events that are all part of the bigger picture in preventing suicide, Duckless said. Events like the mock fatal accident held at the high school and alcohol- and drug-use prevention sessions are all pieces that play a part in one's overall well-being.
"It's about connecting pieces together that are already being done well," Duckless said.
While the Frameworks training is not intended to make anyone a professional counselor, it is meant to bring awareness to everyone about what puts youths at risk and how to approach them with help. Simply showing someone you care is step number one, and letting someone know you are taking them seriously is just as important.
Suicide prevention
Recognize risk factors and warning signs
Engage youth in conversation, not just one-sided conversations with yes or no answers
Know that warning signs are cause for immediate action. Be prepared to take it.
Connect the person with help. Whether through another "gatekeeper" listed in the packet, or with medical services, let the person know you are serious about helping them.
Take talk of suicide seriously, even in young children.
