Talking Points Regarding Suicide Depicted on TV or in Moviestaken from www.save.org and www.jedfoundation.org
Considerations for Viewing 13 Reasons Why13 Reasons Why Discussion Guide
Netflix Pin Protection Option - Parental Controls
Cautions
From National Association of School Psychologists www.nasponline.org We do not recommend that vulnerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, watch this series. Its powerful storytelling may lead impressionable viewers to romanticize the choices made by the characters and/or develop revenge fantasies. They may easily identify with the experiences portrayed and recognize both the intentional and unintentional effects on the central character. Unfortunately, adult characters in the show, including the second school counselor who inadequately addresses Hannah’s pleas for help, do not inspire a sense of trust or ability to help. Hannah’s parents are also unaware of the events that lead to her suicide death. While many youth are resilient and capable of differentiating between a TV drama and real life, engaging in thoughtful conversations with them about the show is vital. Doing so presents an opportunity to help them process the issues addressed, consider the consequences of certain choices, and reinforce the message that suicide is not a solution to problems and that help is available. This is particularly important for adolescents who are isolated, struggling, or vulnerable to suggestive images and storylines. Research shows that exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death, can be one of the many risk factors that youth struggling with mental health conditions cite as a reason they contemplate or attempt suicide. What the series does accurately convey is that there is no single cause of suicide. Indeed, there are likely as many different pathways to suicide as there are suicide deaths. However, the series does not emphasize that common among most suicide deaths is the presence of treatable mental illnesses. Suicide is not the simple consequence of stressors or coping challenges, but rather, it is most typically a combined result of treatable mental illnesses and overwhelming or intolerable stressors. Should You Worry About Your Child?taken from the Lifelines: A Suicide Prevention Program. Experts have identified warning signs of suicide that might indicate a child is at risk. While this list is in no way exhaustive, it does identify specific categories that are important to remember. They are organized around the words FACTS. FACTS: F: Feelings • Hopelessness: feeling like things are bad and won’t get any better • Fear of losing control, going crazy, harming himself/herself or others • Helplessness: a belief that there’s nothing that can be done to make life better • Worthlessness: feeling like an awful person and that people would be better off if he/she were dead • Hating himself/herself, feeling guilty or ashamed • Being extremely sad and lonely • Feeling anxious, worried, or angry all the time A: Actions • Drug or alcohol abuse • Talking or writing about death or destruction • Aggression: getting into fights or having arguments with other people • Recklessness: doing risky or dangerous things C: Changes • Personality: behaving like a different person, becoming withdrawn, tired all the time,not caring about anything, or becoming more talkative or outgoing • Behavior: can’t concentrate on school or regular tasks • Sleeping pattern: sleeping all the time or not being able to sleep at all, or waking up in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep • Eating habits: loss of appetite and/or overeating and gaining weight • Losing interest in friends, hobbies, and appearance or in activities or sports previously enjoyed • Sudden improvement after a period of being down or withdrawn T: Threats • Statements like “How long does it take to bleed to death?” • Threats like “I won’t be around much longer” or “Don’t tell anyone else . . . you won’t be my friend if you tell!” • Plans like giving away favorite things, studying about ways to die, obtaining a weapon or a stash of pills: the risk is very high if a person has a plan and the way to do it. • Suicide attempts like overdosing, wrist cutting S: Situations • Getting into trouble at school, at home, or with the law • Recent loss through death, divorce, or separation; the breakup of a relationship; losing an opportunity or a dream; losing self-esteem • Changes in life that feel overwhelming • Being exposed to suicide or the death of a peer under any circumstances |
How Can Parents Address Their Role in Suicide Prevention?taken from the Lifelines: A Suicide Prevention Program.
Here are some suggestions:
Guidelines for Addressing Worrisome Behaviorstaken from the Lifelines: A Suicide Prevention Program.
Additional Information Regarding Suicide Preventiontaken from the Lifelines: A Suicide Prevention Program.
We often do not address the third-leading cause of death in our youth after accidents and homicides. This is youth suicide. Youth suicide is a quiet secret that take the lives of over five thousand of America’s youth each year. But five thousand is a large number that in some ways masks the more personal impact of death by suicide. Let’s break that number down into figures that are a bit easier to understand.
Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts a Youth Risk Behavior Survey in which high school students are asked about a number of health-related questions. In 2007, 6.9% of students in grades nine through twelve reported an attempt and 14.5% of high school students reported suicidal thoughts or ideation. Our kids are challenged by thoughts and feelings about suicide and we as their parents and caregivers need to be better prepared to deal with this disturbing reality. Talking with your children about suicide is as important as talking about drugs and alcohol and safe driving. Giving your kids permission to talk about suicide opens up an important area of communication. Suicide is, in fact, often referred to as a “crisis of communication.” People who struggle with thoughts of feelings about suicide report that they are often afraid to bring up the subject. By opening up the conversation your model how suicide can be talked about and reinforce your availability as a supportive resources when your child is having a hard time. |
Mental Health/Behavioral Resources
Please contact your insurance provider FIRST to determine where they have authorized access for mental health services. Please confirm, either while making an appointment or prior to going to an appointment, if your insurance provider is accepted. In addition, your insurance provider may have referrals to specific therapists who specialize in children and adolescent issues.
Hospitals/Crisis
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL)
1-800-715-4225
www.mygcal.com
Callers have access to a clinician who will triage the crisis over the phone.
If unable to de-escalate over the phone; a DD and Mental Health team goes to location of crisis.
Staff able to 10-13 (involuntary transport) or go with the family to the hospital with their assessment information.
Lakeview Behavioral Health
678-713-2600
1 Technology Parkway South Norcross, GA 30092
www.lakeviewbehavioralhealth.com
Age Range: 9-17.
Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization.
Laurelwood Hospital
770-219-3800
200 Wisteria Drive Gainesville, GA 30501
www.nghs.com
Age Range: 12-18
Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance with the exception of Cigna and Tri-Care
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization
Peachford Hospital
770-455-3200
2151 Peachford Road Atlanta, GA 30339
www.peachford.com
Age Range: 4-18.
Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, parenting classes.
Ridgeview Institute
770-434-4567
3995 South Cobb Drive Smyrna, GA 30080
www.ridgeviewinstitute.com
Age Range: 11-17.
Insurance: Accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, stabilization, DBT.
Riverwoods Hospital
770-991-8500
223 Medical Center Drive Riverdale, GA 30274
www.riverwoodsbehavioral.com
Age Range: 9-17.
Insurance: Accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization.
Summit Ridge Hospital
678-442-5856
250 Scenic Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30045
www.summittridgehospital.net
Age Range: 13+.
Insurance: Free assessments, Accepts most insurances, with the exception disability Medicaid (SSI).
Inpatient, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization.
View Point Health Crisis Stabilization Unit
678-209-2710
2591 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032
www.myviewpointhealth.org
Age Range: 14-17.
Insurance: CMOs (Amerigroup, Peachstate, Wellcare), and uninsured; Bed purchase for SSI Medicaid, when other Medicaid facilities are full or deny.
Treatment Agencies
Catholic Charities Counseling Offices/Atlanta*
(404) 920-7745 (English and Espanol)
http://www.catholiccharitiesatlanta.org/
Services offered on a sliding-fee scale. Check website or call for more details.
Services offers individual, couples, family, children, and adolescent counseling/therapy provided by highly qualified, professional therapists., marital and family conflict, adolescent issues, depression, anxiety & stress, support with addictions, grief & loss, challenging life transitions, anger management and impulse control, relapse prevention, school conflicts and behavior problems, sibling rivalry, parent-child relationships, domestic violence and trauma care, Play Therapy.
CETPA, Inc.*
770-662-0249 (Admin/Treatment)
678-646-5959 (Prevention Building
http://cetpa.org/
Behavioral Health Services (including Evaluations/Assessment, Individual/Group Therapy, Nursing Services, Medication Management and more) and Substance Abuse Prevention.
Provides services in English and Spanish for Spanish speaking consumers or bilingual consumers who, to avoid misunderstanding, prefer to communicate in Spanish.
Sliding Fee Scale—Check website or call for more information.
Families First*
404-853-2844 (for appointments)
404-541-3040 (Gwinnett Office)
http://www.familiesfirst.org/T80-home-page
Hours: Wednesday 11:30PM – 7:30PM, Thursday 9:00AM – 5:30PM, Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
Services offered on a sliding-fee scale—Proof of Income needed.
Provides Individual, Family, Marriage and Group Counseling.
Check website or call for more details.
ViewPoint Health
678-209-2411 (M-F 8:30am-5pm)
1-800-715-4225 (after hours)
www.myViewPointHealth.org
Check website or call for more details.
Mental health services serving Adults and youth that may benefit from integrated physical and mental health services. Services for youth may include health screenings and ongoing care, as well as, individual, group or family counseling. Provides limited pharmacy services at some sites. View Point Health fees are established by the State of Georgia on a sliding scale based on family size and amount of income.
Clubhouse: 678-209-2550 Serving youth who are in need of intensive substance use recovery supports.
Emergency services 24-Hour Access to Care by calling View Point Health. Since emergencies can occur anytime, a mental health professional with psychiatric backup is always available by calling 678-209-2411
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
*SPANISH SPOKEN
GCPS does not endorse or recommend any of the above agencies, as this list is for informational use only. Any fees incurred are the responsibility of the parent and/or student. This is not a complete list of resources for counselors or counseling assistance in Gwinnett or the Metro Atlanta Area. Please check with your insurance provider for referrals as well as with other sources of information for additional resources.
Updated 2/15
Hospitals/Crisis
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL)
1-800-715-4225
www.mygcal.com
Callers have access to a clinician who will triage the crisis over the phone.
If unable to de-escalate over the phone; a DD and Mental Health team goes to location of crisis.
Staff able to 10-13 (involuntary transport) or go with the family to the hospital with their assessment information.
Lakeview Behavioral Health
678-713-2600
1 Technology Parkway South Norcross, GA 30092
www.lakeviewbehavioralhealth.com
Age Range: 9-17.
Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization.
Laurelwood Hospital
770-219-3800
200 Wisteria Drive Gainesville, GA 30501
www.nghs.com
Age Range: 12-18
Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance with the exception of Cigna and Tri-Care
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization
Peachford Hospital
770-455-3200
2151 Peachford Road Atlanta, GA 30339
www.peachford.com
Age Range: 4-18.
Insurance: Free assessments, accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, parenting classes.
Ridgeview Institute
770-434-4567
3995 South Cobb Drive Smyrna, GA 30080
www.ridgeviewinstitute.com
Age Range: 11-17.
Insurance: Accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, stabilization, DBT.
Riverwoods Hospital
770-991-8500
223 Medical Center Drive Riverdale, GA 30274
www.riverwoodsbehavioral.com
Age Range: 9-17.
Insurance: Accepts most major insurance and CMOs.
Inpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization.
Summit Ridge Hospital
678-442-5856
250 Scenic Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30045
www.summittridgehospital.net
Age Range: 13+.
Insurance: Free assessments, Accepts most insurances, with the exception disability Medicaid (SSI).
Inpatient, Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization.
View Point Health Crisis Stabilization Unit
678-209-2710
2591 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032
www.myviewpointhealth.org
Age Range: 14-17.
Insurance: CMOs (Amerigroup, Peachstate, Wellcare), and uninsured; Bed purchase for SSI Medicaid, when other Medicaid facilities are full or deny.
Treatment Agencies
Catholic Charities Counseling Offices/Atlanta*
(404) 920-7745 (English and Espanol)
http://www.catholiccharitiesatlanta.org/
Services offered on a sliding-fee scale. Check website or call for more details.
Services offers individual, couples, family, children, and adolescent counseling/therapy provided by highly qualified, professional therapists., marital and family conflict, adolescent issues, depression, anxiety & stress, support with addictions, grief & loss, challenging life transitions, anger management and impulse control, relapse prevention, school conflicts and behavior problems, sibling rivalry, parent-child relationships, domestic violence and trauma care, Play Therapy.
CETPA, Inc.*
770-662-0249 (Admin/Treatment)
678-646-5959 (Prevention Building
http://cetpa.org/
Behavioral Health Services (including Evaluations/Assessment, Individual/Group Therapy, Nursing Services, Medication Management and more) and Substance Abuse Prevention.
Provides services in English and Spanish for Spanish speaking consumers or bilingual consumers who, to avoid misunderstanding, prefer to communicate in Spanish.
Sliding Fee Scale—Check website or call for more information.
Families First*
404-853-2844 (for appointments)
404-541-3040 (Gwinnett Office)
http://www.familiesfirst.org/T80-home-page
Hours: Wednesday 11:30PM – 7:30PM, Thursday 9:00AM – 5:30PM, Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
Services offered on a sliding-fee scale—Proof of Income needed.
Provides Individual, Family, Marriage and Group Counseling.
Check website or call for more details.
ViewPoint Health
678-209-2411 (M-F 8:30am-5pm)
1-800-715-4225 (after hours)
www.myViewPointHealth.org
Check website or call for more details.
Mental health services serving Adults and youth that may benefit from integrated physical and mental health services. Services for youth may include health screenings and ongoing care, as well as, individual, group or family counseling. Provides limited pharmacy services at some sites. View Point Health fees are established by the State of Georgia on a sliding scale based on family size and amount of income.
Clubhouse: 678-209-2550 Serving youth who are in need of intensive substance use recovery supports.
Emergency services 24-Hour Access to Care by calling View Point Health. Since emergencies can occur anytime, a mental health professional with psychiatric backup is always available by calling 678-209-2411
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
*SPANISH SPOKEN
GCPS does not endorse or recommend any of the above agencies, as this list is for informational use only. Any fees incurred are the responsibility of the parent and/or student. This is not a complete list of resources for counselors or counseling assistance in Gwinnett or the Metro Atlanta Area. Please check with your insurance provider for referrals as well as with other sources of information for additional resources.
Updated 2/15