suicide prevention in western ny
mental health education
 


Mental Health Programs > Allies 4 Life


Allies 4 Life is a Suicide Prevention program of the Mental Health Association in Niagara County, Inc.
 Launched this year, Allies 4 Life is our response to the overwhelming number of tragedies that have occurred throughout our community in recent months.

Allies 4 Life offers information, tools, resources and guidance specifically for local schools, parent groups, and other youth-related organizations in our community.

Our free 90-minute informational program covers topics such as

  • How to recognize depression
  • How to address sensitive topics with children
  • Where to go for mental health and counseling services
  • How to create a crisis response plan

Information packets are available to help organizations get started with developing their own individual crisis response teams and enacting best practices.  

To learn more, or to request a presentation at your school or organization, click here.


Importance of this program
Suicide was the third leading cause of death in 2009 among middle school youth 10-14 years of age and high school youth 15-19 years of age. One in seven teenagers in the United States seriously considers suicide.  With these startling statistics, school-based prevention programs for suicide are more important than ever. With the proper training, school officials and staff will be more likely to prevent suicide and know how care for those who are left behind should a suicide occur. The key is to have a plan in place before tragedy strikes. 

Allies 4 Life Niagara County NYWithout the proper knowledge and resources many school administrators implement strategies that actually increase the risk of suicide among students. While school administrators may be well-meaning in their response to a suicide, the best way to react is actually counter-intuitive to our cultural norms. We naturally want to have ceremonies, memorials, place flowers at fences and burn candles. But in the case of suicide, it can send the wrong message, particularly to troubled youth who might also be contemplating suicide. They may see the outpouring of grief as a glorification of the person who completed suicide. Some troubled people might think that they want to get all the attention, too. 

Research suggests that training faculty and staff to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to identify students who may be at risk for suicide and to make referrals when necessary can produce positive effects and possibly eliminate any tragedies from occurring. Faculty and staff should not try to diagnose and/or treat adolescents who may be suicidal but they should certainly be taught how to recognize and refer students who may be at risk for engaging in suicidal thoughts or behaviors which research has found to be an essential component of any suicide prevention program.

To learn more about the risk factors and warning signs, see sidebar.

To learn more about developing a crisis-response team, click here.

To request a presentation at your school or organization, click here.
 







Identifying Depression and Signs of Suicidal Thoughts

  • Taking risks and becoming self-destructive
  • Sudden change in eating or sleeping habits
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Decline in grades
  • Unusual neglect of personal appearance
  • Sudden change in personality; aggressiveness, violent reactions, rebellious behaviors, running away
  • Increased use of drugs or alcohol
  • Verbal hints of suicide such as “I won’t be a problem for much longer”
  • Direct threats of suicide such as if you break up with me I’ll kill myself
  • Feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing.
  • Withdrawal from friends, family and regular activities.
  • Sudden loss of interest in prized possessions
  • Not tolerating praise and or rewards.
  • Throwing away personal belongings and or giving them away
  • Becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
  • Focus on morbid/ death themes
  • Prior attempts of suicide

Take each of these actions seriously!

Risk Factors

  • Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, overeating, etc.
  • Family issues such as physical, sexual, verbal abuse, divorce, separation, loss, death
  • Low self-esteem issues
  • Mental illness
  • Self-mutilation
  • Sexuality issues such as being gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgendered
  • Substance/alcohol abuse
  • Unwanted pregnancy

Let's keep our kids safe!

 

















































Allies 4 Life is an alliance of knowledgeable, caring adults who are  willing to do what it takes to recognize depression and prevent suicide.
Mental Health Association of Niagara County
36 Pine Street
Lockport, New York 14094
Phone: 716-433-3780
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