# data[].attributes.body
My professional perspective is working as a school counselor at a fifth and sixth grade campus.  My experience has been as a classroom teacher for two years in pre-kindergarten and nine years in kindergarten.  I have a bachelors degree from Texas A&M in Interdisciplinary Studies.  This legal guide padlet is a resource for all school counselors at Azle ISD to help them stay current on the legal requirements and laws that pertain to working with students who are suicidal.  The topic of suicide was chosen because it is a topic that comes up with multiple students throughout the school year.  Also, it is the school counselors responsibility to be the expert on the campus in regards to identifying signs of suicidal behaviors, assessing the level of risk of suicide, providing up to date resources to families to help their child when this problem is present, and training all staff members on the procedures for working with students who are suicidal.

# data[].attributes.body
I spoke with the school counselor, Erica Fox, from Hoover Elementary in Azle ISD about the policies and procedures she follows when working with students who are suicidal.
Why is suicide an important topic to school counselors?
Working with students who are suicidal impacts school counselors  work on a regular basis.  At the fifth and sixth grade level, there are frequent outcries of students saying or writing that they want to die.  Anytime a student reports this feeling, we take immediate action to ensure students safety and contact their parents.  Being aware of signs and symptoms of suicidal behaviors can save lives.

Best Practices when working with students who are suicidal.

Erica Fox noted three practices that she feels is critical when working with students who are suicidal.
1.  Always follow the suicide protocols developed by a team of counselors from Azle ISD.  This includes identifying risk factors of suicidal thoughts, assessing the level of risk of suicide, contacting parents, and making a plan to support the student in and outside of school.
2.  Every counselor in the district uses "The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale" (C-SSRS) to assess the level of risk for any student who has expressed feelings of wanting to die.  This rating scale aligns with the local children’s hospital and recommended by the Region 11 service center.  The C-SSRS allows a counselor to quickly determine the students risk of suicide so further action can be taken.
3.  Provide an annual training for all staff members that covers suicide prevention.  A counselor can not prevent all students from suicide on their own, it has to be an effort from every educator in the building.

Emerging Issues
Keeping current on court cases and legislation passed is a challenge for all counselors.  Some ways to stay current on laws concerning suicide is through getting notifications from the Texas Education Agency, meeting with other counselors in our district, and planning a suicide prevention curriculum that aligns with Region 11 (our local service center).  Laws about suicides will always be a topic that is evolving.  Changes will be made as situations or cases arise and finding solutions that could have been done in order to prevent suicide from occurring.

(E. Fox, personal communication, July 15, 2019)
School Counselor for Hoover Elementary

# data[].attributes.headline
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) - The School Counselor and Suicide Prevention/Awareness

# data[].attributes.subject
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) - The School Counselor and Suicide Prevention/Awareness

# data[].attributes.body
The American School Counselor Association adopted a prevention and awareness resource for counselors to use in their practice.  This resource covers a counselor’s position, rationale on the need for suicide awareness, and the school counselor’s role to protect students against suicide.  In order for counselors to achieve their ethical obligation to protect students, counselors must receive and maintain current training on the signs of suicide, resources that are available to help students, preparing other educators and parents on the warning signs of suicidal behavior, and referring students who are expressing suicidal thoughts.

American School Counselor Association (2018). The School Counselor and Suicide Prevention/Awareness. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_Suicide.pdf

# data[].attributes.headline
State Funds to Support Suicide Prevention Training in Colorado Schools

# data[].attributes.subject
State Funds to Support Suicide Prevention Training in Colorado Schools

# data[].attributes.body
Colorado schools are getting $400,000 in state funding to train school employees in suicide prevention strategies.  The Center for Disease Control reported that from 1999 to 2016, there has been an increase in suicide rates by 34.1%.  "The recent suicides of public figures, combined with the controversial “13 Reasons Why” series on Netflix, has increased the pressure on schools to implement suicide prevention efforts, including training 'gatekeepers' who learn to identify students experiencing distress and refer them to professional help" (Jacobson, 2018).  Other efforts that schools are focusing on is improving school climate so that students feel more connected to one another and giving students the knowledge to recognize when a peer is considering harming themselves.

Jacobson, L. (2018). State Funds to Support Suicide Prevention Training in Colorado Schools. Education Dive. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/state-funds-to-support-suicide-prevention-training-in-colorado-schools/526468/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dive Brief:

Colorado schools will soon receive a combined total of $400,000 in state funding to train teachers, office personnel and other school employees in suicide prevention strategies, The Denver Post reports.

The legislation authorizing the funding passed before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated numbers showing that between 1999 and 2016, suicide rates in the state increased by 34.1%.

Some lawmakers and advocates, however, were pushing for a broader prevention measure that included a provision allowing 12-year-olds to receive therapy without a parent's consent. The current age when that is allowed in the state is 15.

Dive Insight:

Mountain states in the U.S., including Colorado, have some of the highest suicide rates in the country, and suicide is the leading cause of death among 10- to 24-year-olds, according to the Colorado Health Institute. But there are variations in the state by county. That's why the state's Attorney General's office is working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to study why Douglas County, south of Denver, has lower than average youth suicide rates. Focus groups involving parents of high school students as well as school staff members will be conducted in the county, and the results will be compared to those collected in El Paso County, one of the counties with the highest rates.

The recent suicides of public figures, combined with the controversial "13 Reasons Why" series on Netflix, has increased the pressure on schools to implement suicide prevention efforts, including training "gatekeepers" who learn to identify students experiencing distress and refer them to professional help. Other efforts focus on improving school climate so that students feel more connected to each other and giving youth the skills to recognize when a peer is considering harming themselves.

"Combining both these approaches to suicide prevention may be the best we can do at the moment," Marty Swanbrow Becker, a school psychology professor at Florida State University, wrote in an article for The Brookings Institution. "Schools should openly discuss suicide in a way that makes clear the pain and suffering associated with it, but also in a way that reduces the risk of triggering those most vulnerable."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
State funds to support suicide prevention training in Colorado schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Colorado schools will soon receive a combined total of $400,000 in state funding to train teachers, office personnel and other school employees in suicide prevention strategies, The Denver Post reports. The legislation authorizing the funding passed before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated numbers showing that between 1999 and 2016, suicide rates in the state increased by 34.1%.

# data[].attributes.headline
Suicides Are on the Rise.  Here’s How Schools Can Help 

# data[].attributes.subject
Suicides Are on the Rise.  Here’s How Schools Can Help 

# data[].attributes.body
The Center for Disease Control reported that suicide is the second leading cause of death for kids ages 10 to 19.  This data puts schools in the prime position to help with suicide prevention.  Schools can create a safe environment for students that addresses bullying and educate students and staff about depression and suicide.  The article also give tips for schools about how to respond after a student suicide occurs .  If this is not done correctly, there is a risk of ‘contagion’ – additional suicides by students who are already at risk.

Stark, L. (2018). Suicides are on the rise.  Here’s how schools can help. Education Week.

Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2018/12/suicides_continue_to_increase_how_schools_can_help.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Suicides Are on the Rise. Here's How Schools Can Help

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"Extremely discouraging." That's how the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention describes the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC found in 2017, more than 47,000 people died by suicide in the United States. That's an addtional 2,200 deaths over the previous year.

# data[].attributes.headline
Eisel v. Board of Education of Montgomery County, 597 A 2d 447 (1990). - Judicial Law

# data[].attributes.subject
Eisel v. Board of Education of Montgomery County, 597 A 2d 447 (1990). - Judicial Law

# data[].attributes.body
In this case, Nicole, a thirteen-year-old student, and her friend made a murder-suicide pact.  Nicole told several friends about her plan to commit suicide.  Her friends reported this information to the school counselor.  Nicole denied making these threats when the school counselor questioned her so the counselor never reported these accusations to Nicole’s parents.  Nicole and her friend committed suicide in a park.  Nicole’s dad sued the school for negligence.  As a result of the Eisel case, the court acknowledged that school counselors hear numerous suicidal ideation and that not all threats are serious, but consequence and risk of suicide is so great that the counselor has a duty to get the student help and inform the parents.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
eisel v. board of education of montgomery count

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Eisel v. Board Of Education Of Montgomery Count

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nicole was a thirteen-year-old student at Sligo Middle School in Montgomery County. She and another thirteen-year-old girl consummated an apparent murder-suicide pact on November 8, 1988. The complaint avers that Nicole became involved in Satanism, causing her to have an 'obsessive interest in death and self-destruction.'

# data[].attributes.body
Texas Education Code “requires annual staff development for educators in suicide prevention; training must be based on best practice recommended by the Department of State Health Services in coordination with the Texas Education Agency and may be completed via independent online review”.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Texas Education Code Section 21.451 - Staff Development Requirements - 2017 Texas Statutes - Texas Statutes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Title 2, Public Education; Subtitle D, Educators and School District Employees and Volunteers; Chapter 21, Educators; Section 21.451, Staff Development Requirements. Refreshed: 2019-07-21

# data[].attributes.headline
The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a - Administrative Law

# data[].attributes.subject
The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a - Administrative Law

# data[].attributes.body
The privacy act governs the procedures about collecting, using and disclosing private information about individuals.  Personal information is information or an opinion that is recorded about a person no matter if it is true or not.  Educators who are collecting, using, or disclosing information about a student who has displayed suicidal ideation should follow the Privacy Act of 1974.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, establishes a code of fair information practices that governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies. A system of records is a group of records under the control of an agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifier assigned to the individual.

The Privacy Act requires that agencies give the public notice of their systems of records by publication in the Federal Register. Click here to see a list of DOJ systems of records and their Federal Register citations. The Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of a record about an individual from a system of records absent the written consent of the individual, unless the disclosure is pursuant to one of twelve statutory exceptions. The Act also provides individuals with a means by which to seek access to and amendment of their records, and sets forth various agency record-keeping requirements.

Overview of the Privacy Act

The " Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974, 2015 Edition" is a comprehensive treatise of existing Privacy Act case law. Any questions regarding the Overview may be directed to the Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties staff.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, establishes a code of fair information practices that governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies.

# data[].attributes.headline
Armijo v. Wagon Mound Public, 159 F.3d 1253 (1998). - Judicial Law 

# data[].attributes.subject
Armijo v. Wagon Mound Public, 159 F.3d 1253 (1998). - Judicial Law 

# data[].attributes.body
A New Mexico school principal suspended a student and had the school counselor drive him home.  Earlier in the day, the student reported to a teacher’s aide that he was “better off dead”.  When the parents got home they found their child dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  The school was found responsible because the school left the student alone, with access to a firearm when they knew he was suicidal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Armijo v. Wagon Mound Public, Tenth Circuit, US Court of Appeals Cases, Federal Courts, COURT CASE

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
eCase is one of the world's most informative online sources for cases from different courts in United States' Federal and all states, and court cases will be updated continually - legalzone

# data[].attributes.headline
Student Welfare Crisis Intervention, Azle ISD Board Policy Manual, 2019 - Local Administrative Law

# data[].attributes.subject
Student Welfare Crisis Intervention, Azle ISD Board Policy Manual, 2019 - Local Administrative Law

# data[].attributes.body
Azle ISD School Board Policy states a parent must be notified if a student is identified as at risk of committing suicide and the student may be in need of early mental health or substance abuse intervention or suicide prevention (Azle ISD, 2019).

# data[].attributes.headline
ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors

# data[].attributes.subject
ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors

# data[].attributes.body
School counselors need to inform parents when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others. This should be done after consulting with your campus administrator or other professionals.  School counselors have to inform students of the their legal obligations to report the concern to the appropriate authorities unless this information needs to be kept private in order to protect the student.  For example, a student may run away if they know they parent will be contacted.  The consequence of the risk of not reporting the concern to the parents and giving the parents a chance to intervene on behalf of their child is too great. Even if the danger appears relatively remote, parents should be notified (ASCA, 2016).

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

# data[].attributes.headline
Non-Law Source - Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators

# data[].attributes.subject
Non-Law Source - Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators

# data[].attributes.body
This is a great resource to use when getting information about preventing suicide in youth.  Risk factors that contribute to suicide include mental illness, family stress, access to firearms, and situational crisis.  Warning signs that are related to suicide in youth include indirect or direct threat of suicide, suicide plans, making final arrangements, preoccupied with death, and changes in behavior or looks.  School counselors and staff should work to create an environment where students feel safe to share these feelings.

National Association of School Psychologists (2015). Preventing youth suicide: Tips for parents and educators. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/mental-health-resources/preventing-youth-suicide/preventing-youth-suicide-tips-for-parents-and-educators

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text "HOME" to 741741).
Suicide is the leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority-and are empowered to take the correct actions-we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.

Suicide Risk Factors

Although far from perfect predictors, certain characteristics are associated with increased odd of having suicidal thoughts. These include:

Mental illness including depression, conduct disorders, and substance abuse.

Family stress/dysfunction.

Environmental risks, including presence of a firearm in the home.

Situational crises (e.g., traumatic death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, family violence).

Suicide Warning Signs

Most suicidal youth demonstrate observable behaviors that signal their suicidal thinking. These include:

Suicidal threats in the form of direct ("I am going to kill myself") and indirect ("I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up again") statements.

Suicide notes and plans (including online postings).

Prior suicidal behavior.

Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions).

Preoccupation with death.

Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings.

What to Do

Youth who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly; however, parents, school personnel, and peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep the youth safe. When a youth gives signs that they may be considering suicide, the following actions should be taken:

Remain calm.

Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide (e.g., "Are you thinking of suicide?").

Focus on your concern for their well-being and avoid being accusatory.

Listen.

Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.

Do not judge.

Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the youth alone.

Remove means for self-harm.

Get help: No one should ever agree to keep a youth's suicidal thoughts a secret and instead should tell an appropriate caregiving adult, such as a parent, teacher, or school psychologist. Parents should seek help from school or community mental health resources as soon as possible. School staff should take the student to a school-employed mental health professional or administrator.

The Role of the School in Suicide Prevention

Children and adolescents spend a substantial part of their day in school under the supervision of school personnel. Effective suicide and violence prevention is integrated with supportive mental health services, engages the entire school community, and is imbedded in a positive school climate through student behavioral expectations and a caring and trusting student/adult relationship. Therefore, it is crucial for all school staff members to be familiar with, and watchful for, risk factors and warning signs of suicidal behavior. The entire school staff should work to create an environment where students feel safe sharing such information. School psychologists and other crisis response team personnel, including the school counselor and school administrator, are trained to intervene when a student is identified at risk for suicide. These individuals conduct suicide risk assessment, warn/inform parents, provide recommendations and referrals to community services, and often provide follow up counseling and support at school.

Parental Notification and Participation

Even if a youth is judged to be at low risk for suicidal behavior, schools may ask parents to sign a documentation form to indicate that relevant information has been provided. Parental notifications must be documented. Additionally, parents are crucial members of a suicide risk assessment as they often have information critical to making an appropriate assessment of risk, including mental health history, family dynamics, recent traumatic events, and previous suicidal behaviors. After a school notifies a parent of their child's risk for suicide and provides referral information, the responsibility falls upon the parent to seek mental health assistance for their child. Parents must:

Continue to take threats seriously: Follow through is important even after the child calms down or informs the parent "they didn't mean it." Avoid assuming behavior is simply attention seeking (but at the same time avoid reinforcing suicide threats; e.g., by allowing the student who has threatened suicide to drive because they were denied access to the car).

Access school supports: If parents are uncomfortable with following through on referrals, they can give the school psychologist permission to contact the referral agency, provide referral information, and follow up on the visit.

Maintain communication with the school: After such an intervention, the school will also provide follow-up supports. Your communication will be crucial to ensuring that the school is the safest, most comfortable place for your child.

Resiliency Factors

The presence of resiliency factors can lessen the potential of risk factors to lead to suicidal ideation and behaviors. Once a child or adolescent is considered at risk, schools, families, and friends should work to build these factors in and around the youth. These include:

Family support and cohesion, including good communication.

Peer support and close social networks.

School and community connectedness.

Cultural or religious beliefs that discourage suicide and promote healthy living.

Adaptive coping and problem-solving skills, including conflict-resolution.

General life satisfaction, good self-esteem, sense of purpose.

Easy access to effective medical and mental health resources.

© 2015, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 657-0270, Fax (301) 657-0275; www.nasponline.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents & Educators

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text "HOME" to 741741). Suicide is the leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is preventable .

# data[].attributes.body
·        Remain calm.

·        Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide.

·        Avoid being accusatory and focus on the student’s well-being.

·        Listen.

·        Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.

·        Do not judge.

·        Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the youth alone.

·        Remove means for self-harm.

·        Get help: No one should ever agree to keep a youth's suicidal thoughts a secret. Always notify their parent or guardian. Parents should seek help from school or community mental health resources as soon as possible. School staff should take the student to a school-employed mental health professional or administrator.