Each year, millions of people visit Hawai‘i to escape the pressures of life, to sit back and relax in “paradise.” What many tourists don’t realize is that the Islands lose 128 lives to suicide yearly. That averages out to one death every three days, caused by drugs, alcohol and the pressures of life that we face in “paradise.” Another 870 attempted suicides occur every year.
The state Department of Health is trying to reduce suicide rates. From 2004 to 2010, 43 suicides were children between ages 10 and 19, according to a fact sheet released in February 2010 by the DOH. According to the sheet, Hawai‘i is using the $1.5 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to train people who have direct contact with youth to recognize suicidal behavior.
These gatekeepers are being trained in prevention workshops across the state. Judy Strait-Jones, coordinator of the Hawai‘i Gatekeeper Training Initiative, said that each workshop averages about 30 people in a two-day applied suicide intervention skills workshop, and targets specific focus groups.
“We wrote a grant for federal funds and we received that grant; it’s called the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Grant. For three years, we’ll continue to use it,” Strait-Jones said. “We will receive a total of $1.5 million to work on suicide prevention by training gatekeepers, people who have contact with individuals who might commit suicide. First of all, we’re seeking behavioral specialists (such as) … social workers, counselors, clinical psychologists and school psychologists.”
Because of the strong link between alcohol and drug abuse and suicide, contact specialists in substance abuse are also trained in the workshops.
Honolulu police officers also attend the workshops.
“We’re providing a different type of training for Honolulu police officers; they can’t really take two days out of their lives to come to a training, so we’re providing them with (one) that is three hours long,” Strait-Jones said. “Our plan is to train approximately 2,000 Honolulu police officers so they can recognize signs of suicide and respond appropriately.”
Finally, the DOH is focusing on peer-education teachers and their students.
“The DOH has peer-education teachers, and they have students in the (Peer Education Program), where each student takes an elective course at an intermediate or high school across the state,” Strait-Jones said. “The teachers will train their students in a similar program. Students will then create a suicide prevention program and take it out into their schools so their peers can be directly affected.”
Nationwide, Hawai‘i has the second highest percentage of youth – 20 percent – who reported that they “seriously considered attempting suicide.”
Numerous factors can result in suicidal thoughts in youth and adults. Many thought patterns begin at a young age, so prevention should start at home. Greg Browne, program director of Mental Health Kōkua’s Kōkua Counseling Centers, said it takes courage to offer aid to those we notice are in need. As a result, at-risk individuals are scared of rejection or being told “everything’s fine.”
“Basically, it’s not that uncommon to think about ending your own life; a majority of people think about that within their lifetimes. And that thought doesn’t always mean they should seek professional help,” Browne said. “Sometimes, because of culture in Hawai‘i, there’s a tendency not to talk because of older generations and their influence. I’m always encouraging parents to talk to their kids. I emphasize to them to be good listeners. Being a good listener takes skill. Most parents who think they’re listening end up doing the talking – kids tell me that every day.”
Browne says many clients he sees feel unloved.
And with the current economic struggle in our economy, everyone is impacted somehow.
Said Browne, “Everyone needs a little help now and then. Companies are downsizing while our stress level is rising; our children and friends are facing difficulties; our relationships could be better. Recognizing our need and asking others for aid takes real inner strength.”
Maybe asking for a help is what susceptible suicide victims need. This year U. Hawai‘i at Mānoa lost one of its students to suicide.
UH Mānoa is aware of the struggles and demands that students face while attending school, so it has its own Counseling and Student Development Center to assist students experiencing difficult times and promote wellness and personal success.
According to a guide for faculty, students and parents by UH Mānoa psychologist Dr. John Mark Krejci, “more and more college students are suffering from depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors, among other difficulties.”