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As a school counselor, it is imperative that Galena Park High School parents understand the risks that their students are exposed to. Teen suicide attempts and idealizations may not be comfortable to discuss, but it is important that parents understand what it is and how we can work together to support their student.
I chose this topic as I have seen several students come into the counseling office who have mentioned wanting to or trying to hurt themselves. I want to ensure that all parents know that this is something that the community at large may be struggling with and what signs to look for in their student.

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I interviewed my practicum site supervisor Evangelina Ojeda, the 11th-grade counselor at Galena Park High School (https://www.galenaparkisd.com/domain/837).
Legal issues can come into play when making decisions on when and if to inform parents and others of a student's suicidal thoughts. It can be difficult to decide what is an immediate threat and what are idealizations. Knowing what is legally required of counselors and being on the safe side of notifying parents and completing a suicide assessment is always ideal. Galena Park ISD has created resources to help in the legal decision-making process like the suicide assessment that can give clarity to the severity of a student's case.

Ojeda also discussed social media playing a large part in student suicidal ideation. "My kids have cell phones too and we talk to them about social media a lot! You know as a counselor it can be hard because I see what it does to some of the students I see and I wonder what my kids are seeing. So we have passwords to their accounts. I try not to snoop on them, but I just want to make sure everything is ok" (E. Ojeda, personal communication, February 26, 2020). The sometimes veil of social media can bring out the negativity and self-doubt that may be festering in teens heightening their need to self-harm.

Best practice for parents:

Have open conversations with students about their lives. To know where students are emotionally, parents need to know what is going on with their students.

Talk to the school. Regularly check in with your student's teachers, counselors, coaches, etc. Students sometimes spend more time at school than they do at home so school officials can have a good insight on the student.

Educate yourself. Attending school-led training, community events, and reading on signs of self-harm can help parents to better understand this epidemic.

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The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) hosted a webinar to discuss the Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention. During the webinar, presenters discuss state laws, the role of mental health professionals in the policy, and LGBTQ inclusion. The model policy is based on the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) outline provides best practices and an ideal policy that districts can build on.

References:
Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention. (2019, October 9). Retrieved from https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/webinar-model-school-district-policy-on-suicide-prevention

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Suicide Rate Triples For Girls Ages 10-14 cites

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) found suicides for girls ages 10-14 tripled between 1999 and 2014

They also found an increase in suicides across both genders ages 10- 25

This data prompted recommendations to revamp suicide prevention and awareness initiatives

References
Blad, E. (2019, February 20). Suicide Rate Triples For Girls Ages 10-14. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/05/11/suicide-rate-triples-for-girls-ages-10-14.html

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Why Principals Need to Make Student Mental Health a Priority cites:

School principals have a responsibility to ensure that there are adequate mental health resources and screenings available to all students

Principals should also work with parent associations like a PTA to arrange meetings and trainings to help parents recognize suicidal thoughts in their students.

References
Prothero, A. (2019, February 20). Why Principals Need to Make Student Mental Health a Priority. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/10/17/why-principals-need-to-make-student-mental.html?r=1216932832

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Statutory Law- 42 U.S. Code § 290bb–36a.Suicide prevention for youth

mandates that federally funded organizations need to have suicide prevention programs and measurements in place

programs are for students and parents

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Administrative- TEC Section 11.252 (3)(B)(i)

Texas schools must have a plan in place to address suicide prevention

Schools must have a notification plan for parents/ guardians

Texas Health and Safety Code is referenced as a resource for best practices

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Judicial- Baab v. Medina City School Board of Education (Ohio Ct. App. 2019)

the school counselor was found to be negligent in the death of a student.

The student had previously been evaluated by the counselor for suicidal thoughts. However, in an incident prior to their death, the counselor was alerted that the student was making suicidal threats and did not intervene.

In all suspected cases of self-harm, students should be evaluated and parents should be notified regardless of how many times the student is seen.

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Administrative-  Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 153.1013,

All school districts in Texas must have annual and new employee suicide prevention training as required by the Texas Education Code

All staff that will have contact with students must attend this training

All teachers, administrators, and counselors are able to identify suicidal behaviors and alert the proper staff for further assistance.

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Houston Independent School District (HISD) has a Suicide Risk Procedure that can be used by all HISD teachers and staff. This procedure includes definitions for different levels of self-harm and what staff needs to do. It also includes documentation for counselors and references for parents and staff.

References:
HISD Suicide Risk Assessment Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2020, from https://www.houstonisd.org/domain/8052

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American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standard A.9.a states that it is a school counselor's responsibility to inform students and parents of their legal obligation to disclose the potential for harm to self or others. It is important that students know that not all information shared with counselors is or can be confidential. Additionally, it is important that parents know and are confident that they will be contacted in the event there are concerns for a student's safety.

References:
Standards: American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2020, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/standards

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The CDCP has resources that cover risk factors for suicide and prevention methods and strategies.

References:
Suicide Risk and Protective Factors|Suicide|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC. (2019, September 3). Retrieved March 1, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/riskprotectivefactors.html

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Slide #13: Recommendations and Best Practices

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Slide #13: Recommendations and Best Practices

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Suicide is an epidemic that cannot always be seen in others. There are practices that parents and staff can take to help support and protect students.

Teachers can and should take detailed notes during district suicide prevention training. Additionally, teachers should have a copy of the district protocol for suicide assessments and reporting.

Counselors will host suicide awareness events to ensure that students know what resources are available to them and feel empowered to report peers who may be feeling suicidal

Counselors will host parent events to educate parents on suicidal behaviors and school protocol for suicidal thoughts brought to employee attention.

Parents should have open conversations with their students about suicide, social media, and any other concerns they may have (E. Ojeda, personal communication, February 26, 2020)

Counselors will investigate all suicidal speculations brought to their attention by students, staff, or administrators.

The district will be working with school administrators, counselors, and a parental advisory board to create an age-appropriate curriculum for suicide awareness as well as age-appropriate district-wide protocols for suicidal risks.