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1. LISTEN to students. Let them know you truly care.
2. Build relationships with students.
3. KNOW the warning signs. Most students will exhibit some warning signals.
4. Teach students the warning signs - not just teachers. Students can learn to help each other.
5. Organize a Mental Health Awareness week where students learn that it's okay to NOT be okay, and it's okay to ask for help.
6. Organize Group Counseling with students who are at risk.
7. Work closely with parents.
8. Meet individually with a student who is at risk that you know is not receiving outside help on a regular basis.

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The Thoughtful Counselor is a podcast created by Mike Shook who is a national certified counselor and licensed mental health counselor in Florida. Shook has interviewed many different professionals in the field since beginning the podcast in 2016. I recently listened to Episode 149: Relational Engagement with Suicidal Clients - From Checking Boxes to Hearing Stories of Pain with Stacey Freedenthal. Freedenthal, who has her Ph.D. and is a licensed clinical social worker has written a book entitled, "Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals." During the podcast, Freedenthal talks a lot about sitting with the client in their pain as opposed to rotely asking the list of questions on any given suicide screening. She does not suggest NOT asking the questions; she just suggests asking the person to tell his/her story first, and many times the questions will be answered in the process. She argues that we could prevent suicide more successfully if we quit trying so hard to prevent suicide. She offered some insight that I may never forget. By acting too quickly and forcing a person to get help, we may have helped that person that one day; but it's possible that person will never seek help again.

https://thethoughtfulcounselor.com/2019/11/ep149-relational-engagement-with-suicidal-clients-from-checking-boxes-to-hearing-stories-of-pain-with-stacey-freedenthal/

Shook, M. (2019). Retrieved from https://thethoughtfulcounselor.com/2019/11/ep149-relational-engagement-with-suicidal-clients-from-checking-boxes-to-hearing-stories-of-pain-with-stacey-freedenthal/

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According to ASCA, school counselors "are aware that even though attempts are made to obtain informed consent, it is not always possible. When needed school counselors make counseling decisions on students' behalf that promote students' welfare" (ASCA Ethical Standards, 2016). Most students will not want their parents to be informed of suicide ideation. However, school counselors have to make the tough decision sometimes to go against what their "clients" want them to do. The reason is pure and simple: student safety.

ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

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Teague ISD Policy states that each campus will establish a Threat Assessment Team to evaluate any potential threat, including suicide. If the team determines a student is at risk for suicide, the team will follow the suicide prevention plan. The plan includes:
* Contact parents and have them come to the school to visit with the counselor.
* Encourage parents to have student evaluated by a mental health professional.
* Have parents sign the release form stating they were informed of a potential suicide ideation threat.

Teague ISD District Policy, 2019 - www.teagueisd.org - Sudent Welfare Crisis Intervention

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Eisel v. Montgomery County Board of Education, 324 Md. 376, 1991 - Judicial -
https://casetext.com/case/eisel-v-board-of-education
A school counselor has a duty to intervene to prevent suicide when he/she is aware of suicide ideation.

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Teague ISD District Policy, 2019 - Administrative - www.teagueisd.org - Teague ISD’s district policy states that the district will develop a procedure to alert parents in the event early warning signs are noticed.

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Tex. Educ. Code § 26.004 - Statutory - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=FA - A parent is entitled (unless stated otherwise by a court) to their child’s school records; this includes counseling records.

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Texas Family Code § 32.004 - Statutory - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=FA  - A student is allowed to meet with a counselor pertaining to suicide without the consent of a parent.

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This article entitled, "Gov. Abbott Signs Bill Requiring Mental Health Curriculum in Public Schools" talks about the omnibus bill requiring schools to offer mental health and suicide curricula if they offer the same for physical education.
* School will partner with mental health professionals.
* $2.3 million will be available in grants to support this bill.
* Texas Education Agency states there could be costs to school districts.

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/gov-abbott-signs-bill-requiring-mental-health-curriculum-in-public-schools/

Prazan, P. (2019, June 6). Gov. Abbott signs bill requiring mental health curriculum in public schools. Retrieved from https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/gov-abbott-signs-bill-requiring-mental-health-curriculum-in-public-schools/

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In the article entitled, "In High School the Kids are Not All Right", David Tow explores strategies teachers can use to promote positive mental health. He encourages these five tips:
* Ask students how they are doing and REALLY PAY ATTENTION to their response.
* Set aside office hours to meet with students ~ and not just about academics.
* Remember what Maslow taught us. Mental health trumps academic performance!
* Cut make-up work down to assignments that truly matter.
* Seek help from professionals. And don't forget to talk to someone yourself!

https://www.edutopia.org/article/high-school-kids-are-not-all-right

Tow, D. (2018). In high school, the kids are not all right. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/high-school-kids-are-not-all-right

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"Cutting: A Growing Problem" by James Bierma and schoolcounselor.org does not directly relate to suicide; however, it does discuss a rising problem with teenagers cutting to deal with mental health problems. Students who cut are at more of a risk for suicide, so understanding how to help these students is critical for school counselors. In this article, Bierma informs school counselors about different strategies to take, including (but not limited to):
* Call and inform parents about the cutting. Parents have a right to know and are often the student's best defense since cutting usually occurs at home, and parents can look for cutting in places on the body that would not be appropriate for the counselor to search.
* Offer different ways the student can deal with anxiety and stress.
* Encourage parents to get outside help, but if that is not happening meet with the student frequently. Keep in touch with the parent about when/if an outside appointment will be made.

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2007/cutting-a-growing-problem

Bierma, J. (2007). Cutting: a growing problem. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2007/cutting-a-growing-problem

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I interviewed Lindy Neill who is a high school counselor at Teague High School. Mrs. Neill has been a high school counselor for 25 years in a number of different Texas school districts. I asked Mrs. Neill if she felt like suicide prevention is an important topic for school counselors. She stated, "As school counselors, understanding the signs of suicide is imperative in order to help our students. Sometimes knowing the signs is not enough, but we must be vigilant" (Neill, personal communication, 2020). Mrs. Neill worked at a school district where a student committed suicide. His dad was a coach at the high school, and spent many hours a day with his son. There simply were no signs; however, the son was adopted. After his suicide, the boy's adoptive parents were told about the mental illness that was prevalent in their son's biological family. Information like that is important to know. Mrs. Neill stated these best practices:
* All faculty MUST be trained in suicide awareness. Teachers spend more time with students than anyone else and need to know the signs.
* Develop relationships with students. Students MUST know we care and truly want what is best for them.
* Work closely with parents. If a parent trusts the counselor, they will be less likely to go on the defensive if you have to call with bad news about suicide ideation.
* Meet with students you know are struggling AT LEAST weekly.
I asked Mrs. Neill if there are any emerging issues regarding suicide or mental health issues and how she stays abreast of current topics. She plans to take part in a ZOOM meeting next Monday morning with Region 12 concerning the Omnibus Bill. She is interested to learn how this bill will change our profession. One way she stays abrest of current issues is through her area's Region Center. "Jenny Janek is an amazing resource when it comes to staying on top of current issues" (Neill, personal communication, 2020). Jenny Janek is the "counselor guru" at Region 12, and she has created a page online entitled SCHOLAR where she updates school counselors on "all things counselor" (Neill, personal communication, 2020).

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As a future school counselor, understanding how to work with students who hold suicide ideation is important. Students struggle with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and more that can lead to thoughts of suicide. This guide will give school counselors the tools needed to understand how to best help these struggling students.