February 11, 2008 - Austin area school, health and mental health officials released information in a press conference today that a youth suicide cluster is occurring in Travis County. Suicide clusters can put at-risk students in jeopardy of death by suicide because some youth may have a tendency to identify with destructive solutions adopted by the person who has attempted or has died by suicide.

"From July to November of 2007, anecdotal information on suicide deaths for youth ages 15-19 in Travis County indicates there were five deaths by suicide for youth of this age. There has also been another death within recent weeks and yet another youth is hospitalized in critical condition from a suicide attempt. This anecdotal information compares with only four deaths for this age group in all of 2005, the last year for which we have official death data," said Merily Keller, co-chair of the Texas Suicide Prevention Council.  
 
"It is important to understand that a suicide cluster may involve not just children or adolescents who know one another. Young people who are far removed from or entirely unknown to suicide victims may identify with their behavior and resort to suicide as a result," said David Evans, MD, Executive Director of Austin-Travis County MHMR Center.  
 
Representatives from Austin-Travis County MHMR, the Austin School District, Austin PTA Council, Austin-Travis County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Mental Health America of Texas, Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and St. David's Hospital are on heightened alert that a large number of young people are dying by suicide in the Austin area. These organizations are leading the charge to increase public awareness about suicide prevention in an effort to save the lives of young people in the Austin-Travis County area. They are preparing doctors, students, school staff, parents, faith leaders and others who work with young people how to identify symptoms of suicide, know what actions to take if a person is suicidal and where to get help.  
 
"It is imperative for all parents, educators, youth leaders, faith leaders and medical and mental health experts to know the warnings signs for suicide and talk to teens about the importance of seeking help for themselves or friends who have suicidal thoughts." Sherry Blyth, Director of Crisis Services at Austin-Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (MHMR).  
 
Some Warning Signs That A Person May Be Suicidal:  
 
• Hopelessness or feeling no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life  
• Increased irritability, rage, or uncontrolled anger  
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking  
• Feeling trapped – like there's no way out  
• Increased alcohol or drug use  
• Withdrawing from friends, family and society  
• Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time  
• Dramatic mood changes  
• Threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself.  
• Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means.  
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.  
 
The more "clues or warning signs," a person exhibits, the higher their risk of suicide.  
 
Some Ways to Be Helpful to Someone at Risk of Death by Suicide  
 
• Be aware. Learn the warning signs.  
• Ask the person if they are thinking about suicide. Talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal.  
• Be willing to listen. Allow for expression of feelings. Accept the feelings.  
• Don't be judgmental, lecture on the value of life or debate whether suicide is right or wrong.  
• Don't be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.  
• Offer hope that alternatives and treatment are available.  
• Take action! Remove means (weapons, pills, poison, etc.) and get help from individuals or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.  
 
Some People or Places Who Can Help in a Crisis  
 
• A community MHMR or health center  
• A school counselor  
• A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center  
• Psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist, or other mental health professional  
• A doctor  
• A religious/spiritual leader  
 
In December, as officials recognized the possibility of a youth suicide cluster in Travis County, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Central Texas and Austin Travis County MHMR, with support from Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and other community groups, brought in a national suicide postvention expert to work locally with more than 300 mental health professionals and primary care doctors, AISD counselors and staff as well as parents and interested community members on suicide prevention methods to stop the cluster and postvention methods to address the current suicides in the community. Key stakeholders have continued to meet to develop protocols based on national guidelines to share with area school, city, county, medical, faith and other groups.  
 
"Postvention is an important intervention conducted after a suicide, largely to support and debrief those affected; and reduce the possibility of suicide contagion," said Paul Whitelock, MD, medical director at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital. "Postvention procedures help to recognize those bereaved by suicide that may be vulnerable to suicidal behavior themselves and may develop complicated grief reactions. Postvention also helps alleviate the distress of bereaved individuals, reduces the risk of imitative suicidal behavior, and promotes the healthy recovery of the affected community."  
 
"To help address and answer questions students may have about suicide and other mental health issues, Mental Health America of Texas, National Alliance on Mental Illness Austin and Depression Bipolar Alliance-Texas and the Austin Area PTA is creating Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Wellness resource centers in AISD high school libraries," said Mary Ellen Nudd, vice president at Mental Health America of Texas.  
 
"These centers will have materials targeted to teens and their parents. The centers will include brochures, books, posters and bookmarks that highlight youth mental health and mental illnesses, depression and suicide prevention. The information will be readily accessible for students and family members to take with them," said Charlotte Winkelmann, assistant director of Guidance and Counseling & Student Intervention at AISD.  
 
"Of those who die by suicide, most have an underlying mental health or substance abuse condition," said Keller. "The majority of suicidal individuals do not want to die; they just want their emotional pain to stop. Take all suicidal talk seriously and take action to get that person to help.  
 
For more information on suicide prevention in Texas please go to www.TexasSuicidePrevention.org. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Lifeline. Locally, individuals can access help at ATCMHMR Psychiatric Emergency Services/Mobile Crisis Outreach at 512-454-352 or Seton Shoal Creek Hospital at 512-324-2029 or by calling 911.