Distraction Kit
YSSA focuses on bringing alertness to the uprising numbers of cases of suicide among youths by informing different methods of coping strategies. This specific intervention focuses on the use of physical toys and objects to relieve any anxiety or self-harm behaviors. Putting multiple commonly used coping items together, a distraction kit will contain various ways to distract someone from extreme points of anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness that may lead to an incline of suicidal ideations. Importantly, these methods are not intended to be a cure for that mental illness as these are simple ways to bring a person out of an episode that might result in self-injury. With the hope that people will use this kit during a panic attack, depressive episode, or anything that causes a person to start losing cognitive function, this kit will be a method of preventing extreme decisions.
According to a study, approximately 8% of the adolescents involved in the study committed to some kind of NSSI (Nonsuicidal Self-Injury) and stated that the known rates of nonsuicidal self-injury are between ∼7% and 24% in samples of early adolescents and older adolescents, implying that there are much more cases. Additionally, data from the recently released Teen National Health Interview Survey from July 2021 to December 2022, reveals that 21% of adolescents ages 12-17 report experiencing symptoms of anxiety in the past two weeks, and 17% said they had symptoms of depression. This kit reveals positive coping mechanisms and resources that will help with the immediate need for help for these mental health illnesses.
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The chewing of a food, the sourness of the candy, and the texture of the food may distract a person out of an episode or shortly relax the sudden uprising of thoughts.
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To prevent the use of a blade for self-harm, an alternative may be to use a red pen to mark the places where they may be inclined to harm. Having an alternative like this may incline an individual from resourcing to other ways of mediating suicidal behaviors.
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The scribble sense of touch may bring a person into an attentive state, stopping themselves from the overwhelming thoughts.
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Some people find that moving, spinning, or handling an object can help soothe or calm them. For mental illnesses such as anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, and to any person who finds that the constant moving stops them from episodes. Ex: squeezable stress balls, fidget spinners, playdough or putty, chewable pendants or straws, sensory diffusers, six-sided fidget cubes
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Smell therapy could help people with depression avoid overthinking, she said. Additionally, research has also shown that people with depression are more likely to have a reduced sense of smell (known as olfactory loss), and that depression symptoms tend to get worse the more people's sense of smell diminishes. Additionally, scents have a severe impact on bringing up memories from the time where that scent was familiarized with the individual. The smell of scented stickers from their childhood may bring positive memories.
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The flicking of a rubber band on a person’s wrist is one of the common ways that people avoid self-harm. Furthermore, the fidgeting action with the rubber band may distract a person from any ideations or thoughts depending on their mental illness.
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Like scented stickers, the scent of lavender may help with overthinking. Additionally, A small 2019 study found that inhaling lavender oil reduced blood pressure levels in people with preoperative dental anxiety. Research in a 2019 review suggests that inhalation and oral administration of lavender oil may help relieve anxiety. People can hold the oil under the nose and inhale gently or dab some onto a handkerchief to smell. If someone dislikes the scent of lavender, they could try replacing it with another essential oil, such as bergamot orange, chamomile, or lemon.
