Suicide Prevention

CASA Volunteers are often the only person a child trusts enough to talk openly about serious subjects.  When a child is thinking about suicide, you as a CASA, can play a critical role in keeping the child safe. 

First: You do not have to have special knowledge or skills to talk to the youth about what they are thinking – all you need to know is that if you sense that they are thinking about suicide you should not leave the youth alone.

Second: If you feel that the child is thinking about suicide, you must find a way to get the youth to a mental health professional – like a therapist or the social worker.  Make sure that they are taking it seriously and that they will do what is necessary to help the youth and keep them safe.   

Third: If you don’t know what else to do, call 911 and explain the situation.  Police can take the youth to a place that can watch them.

Fourth: Make sure that there are follow-up mental health services provided to the youth.

You can find more information here:

What to Do if You Thinks Someone is Having Suicidal Thoughts

The wallet card can be especially helpful as well.

Wallet Card

Suicide Warning Signs (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself

• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means

• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide

• Feeling hopeless

• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge

• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities—seemingly without thinking

• Feeling trapped—like there’s no way out

• Increasing alcohol or drug use Withdrawing from friends, family, and society

• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time

• Experiencing dramatic mood changes

• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

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