Civic Engagement Project

- Bringing awareness to youth suicide (ages

10-14)
Dylan Snook- ENG 2010 (2nd period)
How can we spread awareness and support for young children
struggling with suicidal ideation, along with their family’s?
As years go on, we are seeing a large increase in the percentage of suicide
rates across the country. This isn’t an unknown thing. We are constantly
hearing of teenagers and older adolescents who are dying by suicide, but
often overlook the younger children who are in elementary and middle
school.

Suicide is the 2nd ranked cause of death in US middle school aged

children (10-14 years old).
Research:
● “From March to July 2020, gun sales doubled compared with the year before…” and “suicide by
gun increased a staggering 214%.” upr.org
● According to ncbi.gov children ages 10-14 frequently die by suicide due to relationship
problems with their family/friends versus younder adolescents who frequently die by suicide
due to relationship problems with a boyfriend/girlfriend.
● Given in the article on ncbi.gov, it is said that younger adolescents are shown to suffer more
from depression, versus elementary aged children who are shown to suffer more from ADD.
● According to ncbi.gov Although elementary suicide is rare, is it said that suicide is the 10th
ranked cause of death for US elementary aged children.
● “Red-Flags” to recognize in someone struggling with suicidal ideation include baseline behavior
changes, changes at school, feelings of hopelessness, writing or drawing about death or
suicide, and significant changes in mood.
www.upr.org/post/pandemic-has-researchers-worried-about-teen-suicide.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5051205/
https://www.psycom.net/children-and-suicide
Gun Safety

Your child should not know of the purchase of a firearm or where that firearm
is being held. Children the age of 10 years old are getting ahold of firearms
and using them to end their lives.
My Project:
For my project, I decided that an effective way to spread awareness and help
children that struggle with suicidal ideation was to reach out to the parents
and adults in the community. I will be creating a brochure that will provide
data and numbers regarding youth suicide. I will include signs and symptoms
of someone who may be struggle with suicidal thoughts and feelings, and
make it very clear that parents and adults need to let children know that they
can talk to them no matter what, and that they won’t get “in trouble” for telling
someone.
Why it Matters
Suicide is a big thing for all ages across the country. And
unfortunately we are continuously seeing the numbers rise. With
the ongoing pandemic and growth of technology and media,
people are struggling even more.

One age group that isn’t often thought of when mentioning suicide
is children in elementary school. Not everyone knows this, but
children as young as the age of 5 (kindergartener’s) are taking their
own lives.

This is a problem that we have to work to solve. When someone

dies by suicide, it doesn’t just end there. The weight of this loss is
carried on by their loved ones, friends, and peers forever.
Personal Experience
- My mother was a first responder to her friend’s suicide
- My younger sibling has struggled with suicide thoughts
- I have had several friends attempt
How can you help spread awareness about youth
suicide or suicide in general?
Solutions
- Educate more people in the community on the signs and symptoms to
recognize in people, especially young children.
- Educate parents on how to have an open conversation with their children
about suicide.
- Get rid of the suicide stigma, and make it something that everyone can
openly talk about in a serious matter to help spread awareness.
- Monitor your child’s social media.
YOU MATTER;
NOT A JOKE!!

Suicide is not at all something to joke about. It is not funny, and

should never be something that you judge something for because
once someone is successful in their attempt there is no going back.
Suicide Prevention Walk - Out of the Darkness
https://ksltv.com/400736/400736/?jwsource=cl
“Just to see the amount of people that suicide affects was mind-blowing,” Kammerer said. “It also makes me realize how
much love there is and how much compassion people have for other people. Complete strangers, or family members.”

Every year, me and my mom attend the Suicide Prevention Walk with the family of my mom’s
friend who lost their daughter to suicide. My mom was a first responder to her death. It is a very
emotional thing to attend but it also shows you how many people have been affected by suicide
one way or another in their life. They set up pop-up tents, donation booths, and have many
speakers who come and talk about their experiences with suicide. It is an amazing way to spread
awareness and come together to help prevent it. Every year, my mom’s friends father donates
$1,000 to the Out of the Darkness foundation to help with providing resources for those who are
struggling. I recommend this experience!
 What would you say?
- Your 10 year old little sister, Lisa, has been struggling
with bullies at school. She tells you that everything is
okay and that it doesn’t bother her. However, you
have noticed some weird changes with her behavior.
She has a loss of appetite, is always sleeping, doesn’t
care to get ready anymore, and her grades are
slipping in school. What would you say to her, or how
would you approach the situation?

- Have open ended questions.

- Make her feel that she is in a safe environment.

- Let her teachers and parents know what is going on.

What would you say?
- Your friend Ben is going through a really hard breakup. He keeps making
comments about “not wanting to be here anymore” and “I wouldn’t be
missed by anyone.” He is being very short with everyone he comes into
contact with and is having big mood swings. What would you say to him,
or how would you approach the situation?

- Let him know you are a friend who is here to help him.

-Let him know that he is in a safe environment.

-Immediately tell an adult (parent, teacher, counselor) about the things you are noticing.

- Stay by his side. Continue checking in and be with him as much as possible.
Image Citations (APA)

Project Semicolon [Digital image]. (2015). Retrieved December, 2020, from

https://www.inspiremalibu.com/blog/mental-health/project-semicolon-promotes-suicide-prevention-mental-health-awareness/

National Suicide Prevention Week [Digital image]. (2020). Retrieved from https://ubh.org/national-suicide-prevention-week/

Dimitri, M. (n.d.). Sad little girl crying on the sofa [Digital image]. Retrieved December, 2020, from
https://www.crushpixel.com/stock-photo/sad-little-girl-crying-on-753984.html

Teen depression programs [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved December, 2020, from
https://www.kwlegacyranch.com/teen-depression-programs.html

"Out of Darkness" Walk in Salt Lake City For Suicide Prevention and Awareness (ksltv.com)

You are not alone [The Weez Project]. (2018). Retrieved 2020, from https://weezproject.com/you-are-not-alone/