February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The following activities and events are planned for February:

February 3: First Friday Art Trail
Location: Ice House
Help create a community mural defining what is "RESPECT:

February 11: Parent Summit 10am - 1pm
Location: LUCA Underwood Theatre
Parents, teachers, and youth workers are invited to receive a FREE training on how to address the issue of Teen Dating Violence

February 11: Safe on Sunday Training 2-3pm
Location: LUCA Underwood Theatre
Local religious leaders invited to receive a FREE training to participate in the Safe on Sunday Campaign

February 18: Skate Night 7:30 - 10:00pm
Location: Skate Ranch
Free to all teens. Come by and have fun and receive information on Teen Dating Violence

February 26: Safe on Sunday -Times Vary
Local religious groups do programs addressing Teen Dating Violence, during their Sunday programs.

For more information: www.wpslbk.org

Mrs. Johnson also has information in her office.

Facts on Suicide

• Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the US.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 and the fourth leading cause of death for youngsters 10 to 14.
• While the majority of suicide attempters are women,nearly 80% of completers are men.

Bullying and CyberBullying are leading causes of suicide among children!!

Four out of five young people who attempt suicide have given clear warnings.



People who are at risk to attempt suicide often

• Have a history of depression.
• Have a history of alcohol or other drug problems.
• Have a history of suicide attempts.
• Have had personal experience with other suicides, especially by family members of close friends.
• Have angry, aggressive or impulsive personality traits.
• Are a rigid, inflexible thinker.
• Have been diagnosed with a borderline or antisocial personality disorder.
• Have access to firearms or prescription drugs.

Certain events can serve as triggers, including

• Experiencing profound interpersonal loss or rejections.
• Experiencing divorce or impending breakup.
• Losing a job or experiencing a serious occupational problem.
• Having legal or financial problems.
• Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Signs that suicide may be imminent:

• Give away favorite possessions.
• Write a will.
• Glorify or elevate death in conversation.
• Mention others who have died, suggesting that he/she may join the deceased.
• Write poetry or prose laced with images of death and profound loneliness.
• Increased alcohol or other drug use.
• Continuously and persistently discount the positive and embrace the negative.
• Make preparations or talk about a suicide plan that is concrete, specific and lethal.
• Seem detached from emotions and withdraw from friends or family members.
• Experience uncharacteristic relief from otherwise debilitating depression.



Taken from a pamphlet from The Pavilion, The Behavioral Health Services of Northwest Texas Healthcare System, located in Amarillo, Texas.

24 – Hour Access Line: 1-800-537-2585 or 1 – (806) – 354 – 1810

Straight Facts About Suicide

Youth Suicide Fact Sheet for the United States
Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college age youth!
Suicide ranks THIRD as cause of death for high school students!
Suicide is the FOURTH leading cause of death for ages 10 – 14!
Each week, we lose approximately 100 plus young people to suicide in our nation!
Approximately 5,000 young people each year complete suicide!
Over ONE MILLION youth attempt suicide each year. Almost 2 attempts each minute!
Bullying and Cyber Bullying are leading causes of suicide among children!!
Fear of Bullying keeps over 160,000 out of school each day!
Four out of five young people who attempt suicide have given clear warnings
Signals of Suicide: What to Look For
Preparations for Death:
Giving away prized possessions. Talk of going away without clear plans.
Sudden recovery from depression.
Previous Attempt of Self Harm: Just disclosed or in recent past

Verbal Warnings: Reference to suicide: jokes, poems or drawings.

“Life isn’t worth it……. Things would be better if I were gone.”
“I hate myself, everyone and everything.”
“If I don’t see you again thanks for everything.”
“I can’t take it anymore…… I just want out.”

Depressive Symptons:

Hopelessness, insomnia, loss of appetite.
Withdrawing from friends and family, rage, uncontrollable anger.
Increased alcohol or drug use, or engaging in risky situations.

These are a few of the signs that you might recognize. There are others. If you or someone you know is at risk ask for help.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SAVE A LIFE:

Ask (Are you thinking of suicide?)
Insist on Honesty
Listen (Don’t judge. Just listen)
NEVER leave the person ALONE
SEEK HELP

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE. CALL 806-765-8393

CALL 1-800-784-2433 OR 1-800-SUICIDE.

YOUTH MAY CALL THE YOUTH AMERICA HOTLINE

1-877-96808454

All calls are free and confidential.

CONTACT LUBBOCK GIVING HOPE FOR A FUTURE

www.contactlubbock.org

ANGER MANAGEMENT FOR PARENTS
MONDAYS from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Family Guidance & Outreach Center,
#5 Briercroft Office Park. No childcare available. Snacks & sodas will be served.
Facilitated by Ginny Zobeck.

Is your anger or your child’s anger damaging your family relationships? Come join us on Monday nights to discover new ways of looking at these negative situations. These classes will focus on knowledge and techniques that will help transform negative anger methods into opportunities for growth and family peace. We will learn to identify negative anger management methods; the positive methods of assertive anger and/or dropping anger; the huge role that stress and emotions play in an anger situation; regulation/conflict resolution/problem-solving/communication skills; and FORGIVENESS techniques. (Please note: Most of these classes are biblically-based.)

January 16, 2012
January 23, 2012
January 30, 2012
February 6, 2012
February 13, 2012
February 20, 2012
February 27, 2012

There will be encouraging discussion, parental videos about dealing with your child’s anger and power struggles, and non-threatening activities which you can use to help your child understand and regulate his own stress and anger.