Assignment: FaceSheet
Introduction
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the suicide rate for individuals with mood disorders is 25 times greater than that of the general population. As we learned in our readings, there is a dramatic increase in suicide rates among the elderly and adolescents. In this assignment, you will focus on suicide prevention facts and resources for either adolescents/teens (ages 10-24) or the elderly population (ages 65 +). You will examine research on the numbers of victims, risk factors, warning signs, and prevention resources and will then develop a Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet for your assigned population. You will be assigned to research either the elderly or adolescent/teen population based on the 1st letter of your last name. (See Content Expectations for the assigned topic.)
overview - What Is a Fact Sheet?
Fact sheets are short reports that present information in a readable and interesting format. They enable scientists and researchers to concisely summarize the results of research, so it is shareable with the public or other professionals. However, be aware that Fact Sheets are more than just random lists of words or numbers. A useful Fact Sheet has a clear organization and structure. It names the issue at hand, discusses relevance, gives data (usually numerical or statistical), describes interventions and makes recommendations. Because Fact Sheets summarize data in a report format, they must provide accurate citations and references for the sources. An example of a Fact Sheets is provided by the Child Welfare Information Gateway on Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this file) and the Fact Sheet provided on Suicide Prevention from SAMHSA.
General Format and Audience
Most fact sheets are two to four pages in length. They should have a good balance of text (in a readable font), white space, and images or charts and graphs. An effective fact sheet is informative and visually interesting. Many use a two-column format, as well as color fonts, headers and photographs. [Given the sensitive nature of this fact sheet, images of actual suicides, death, weapons, etc. are not appropriate]. Pie charts or histograms with statistics are ideal for Fact Sheets. It is important to keep your audience in mind, as you write the text, for your Fact Sheet. Use headings throughout the Fact Sheet to guide your reader through the Fact Sheet. For the purposes of this assignment, assume you are working with an agency and are developing this Fact Sheet for distribution among the general public to inform them of either adolescent/teen or elderly suicide and prevention.
Content Expectations
1. Produce a 1000-word Fact Sheet (two to four pages) on suicide prevention using assigned resources/textbook and two resources found on your own.
1. If the first letter of your last name is A-P, you will develop a Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet on the Adolescent/Teen population (ages 10-24).
2. If the first letter of your last name is Q-Z, you will develop a Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet on the Elderly population (ages 65 and older).
2. Your fact sheet should:
1. Describe the prevalence of suicide within your assigned age population (elderly or adolescent/teen). This should include statistics and growth rates.
2. Present and explain statistical evidence relating to suicide and co-existing disorders such as mood disorders and substance abuse.
3. Explain the three indicators of suicidal behavior (ideation, plan, and attempt) and provide statistical evidence of the prevalence of each within your assigned population.
4. List and discuss risk factors and warning signs for suicide among your assigned population.
5. Provide three national resources for suicide prevention (hotlines, websites, etc.).
6. Use required resources to write the fact sheet.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.