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My professional perspective is working as a school counselor in a high school setting. I am currently in the process of receiving my M.Ed in Guidance and Counseling. This Legal Guide Padlet serves as a resource for other practicing secondary school counselors regarding suicide response and prevention. I chose this topic because teenage suicide continues to be a growing epidemic in North America. School counselors are in a position to become the first line of defense in regards to student suicide prevention and response. It is important, as a future counselor, that crisis protocol is followed to ensure that the needs of students are met. It is also vital that school counselors understand their legal and ethical principles related to suicide intervention, prevention, and overall student safety.

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Slide #2-  Interview with Lead Counselor

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Slide #2-  Interview with Lead Counselor

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I interviewed the current lead counselor at Reagan Early College High School, Tasha Burton, regarding student suicide response and prevention.

Why is suicide response and prevention important to the field of school counseling?
Ms. Burton explained that counselors play an important role in student suicide response and prevention. There are state and local laws that require schools to implement suicide prevention plans and staff to be trained regarding suicide response. Counselors are responsible for ensuring that teachers are appropriately trained on best practices and that district protocol is followed when a potential student suicide attempt arises.

Best Practices for Suicide Prevention.
Ms. Burton emphasized three best practices regarding student suicide prevention:

Ensure that all staff, including counselors, are trained on how to recognize signs of student suicide and proper protocol for reporting by providing resources and training to staff.

Develop and maintain and a school-wide crisis intervention procedure for students who show signs of suicide including risk assessments and procedures for notifying parents.

Counselors collaborate and consult with one-another when making decisions regarding the best course of action in a student situation.

Emerging Issues
Educational practice regarding student suicide are continuing to develop. State administrative laws are highlighting the importance of suicide prevention programs and staff training. In Texas, school personnel are mandated to attend two hours of suicide prevention training per school year and each district must have a suicide prevention plan in place. As more research emerges regarding topics of suicide, Ms. Burton predicts that suicide prevention plans will be mandated at a national level.

(T. Burton, personal communications, June 27, 2019).

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The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) released a position statement regarding suicide prevention and awareness which states, "School counselors work to identify behavioral and social/emotional signs of suicide risk among their students and ensure prevention methods are in place" (ASCA, 2018).  Counselors should develop a comprehensive counseling program that embeds suicide prevention and awareness by ensuring staff are well-prepared and equipped to deal with situations regarding potential student suicide.

This professional association provides a useful resource and
universal standard for school counselors. Competencies and standards created by the ASCA are adopted and practiced in schools throughout the nation.

American School Counselor Association (ASCA), (2018). The school counselor and suicide prevention/awareness. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_Suicide.pdf

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The first article discusses how committees are focusing and promoting the use of school funds towards school safety.  School committees in Colorado were tasked with how to use a $10 million dollar fund dedicated to school safety. The committees agreed two major areas of focus: (a) physical safety and (b) mental health. The committees want to use the funds with a direct emphasis on social-emotional learning, mental health support, and suicide prevention ("Committee proposes school safety focus", 2019). This article is related because it shows the emphasis that educators and school boards are placing on mental health and how to better support staff and students to promote social and emotional learning.

Committee proposes school safety focus with $10M fund. (2019, July 18). Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/07/17/committees-propose-school-safety-focus-with_ap.html

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DENVER (AP) - County officials in Colorado heard proposals from two committees tasked with planning how to use $10 million for school safety.

The Denver Post reported Tuesday that the Douglas County committees for physical security and mental health are recommending more than a dozen ideas for standardizing safety plans and better supporting students dealing with mental illness.

The committees say the county could fund programs on social-emotional learning, suicide prevention and mental health support.

Douglas County commissioners voted in May to dedicate funding for school security. They also provided $3 million to fund school police officers and $300,000 for a mental health response team.

The Douglas County School District is matching county funding for school police officers.

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Information from: The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com

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Committees propose school safety focus with $10M fund

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The second article titled, Suicide Rate Among Adolescents at Highest Point Since 2000 by Sasha Jones, discusses the growing epidemic of teenage suicide in our country. With data backed by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death for teens (Jones, 2019). The report holds the growing trend of social media accountable for increases of anxiety and depression amongst teens. This article is important for school boards and districts because understanding that there is a need for social-emotional learning within schools starts with the increased suicide rate. School counselors work with students to develop their communication skills, their social emotional learning, and overall well-being. Understanding the statistics behind the teen suicide rate in this country, allows educators and counselors to be more prepared for what might walk through the door. It is important that school officials are prepared to deal with suicide prevention and response.

Jones, S. (2019). Suicide rate among adolescents at highest point since 2000. Retrieved from https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2019/06/suicide_rate_among_adolescents_at_highest_point_since_2000.html?r=382165070

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By Guest Blogger Sasha Jones
Adolescents and young adults have seen the highest rate of deaths due to suicide in nearly two decades, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today.

In 2000, the suicide rate for adolescents ages 15 to 19 was 8 deaths per 100,000. In 2017, the rate increased to 11.8 per 100,000. The CDC found that most of that increase occurred between 2007 and 2017.

Researchers determined death rates using the CDC Underlying Cause of Death database, a national data set based on death certificates and population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The analysis specifically examined ages 15 to 19 years and 20 to 24 years for males and females to determine how and when trends shifted.

The suicide rate is consistently higher for males than females, although there was a slight decreasing trend in male deaths between 2000 and 2007. In 2017, the rate of suicides was 17.9 per 100,000 in males and 5.4 per 100,000 in females among the age groups studied.

The report attributes the rise to increases in social media use, anxiety, depression, and self-harm, however, the CDC states that a more detailed analysis of the trends in the age group is needed, along with sustained examination of data in order to determine whether the rise in suicides is continuing.

"Future studies should examine possible contributing factors and attempt to develop prevention measures by understanding the causes for the decrease in suicides found in the late 1990s," the report says.

According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and the tenth leading cause of death for the general population.
Image courtesy of Getty

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Suicide Rate Among Adolescents at Highest Point Since 2000

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By Guest Blogger Sasha Jones Adolescents and young adults have seen the highest rate of deaths due to suicide in nearly two decades, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today. In 2000, the suicide rate for adolescents ages 15 to 19 was 8 deaths per 100,000.

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Slide #6- Student Safety and Campus Emergency Management (20 USC § 1161)- Statutory Law

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Slide #6- Student Safety and Campus Emergency Management (20 USC § 1161)- Statutory Law

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This  federal statutory law addresses the guidance on mental health disclosures for student safety and notifying parents when a student is in direct harm of themselves or have expressed suicide thoughts ( 20 USC §1161). Under this federal statutory law, educators are required to implement a plan on notifying parents when students show signs of suicidal behavior. School counselors are able to disclose information to parents.

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[USC02] 20 USC 1161l-4: Guidance on mental health disclosures for student safety

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USC02] 20 USC 1161l-4: Guidance on mental health disclosures for student safety

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Slide #7- District Level Planning and Decision-Making (Tex. Educ. Code § 11.252 (3)(B)(i))- Statutory Law

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Slide #7- District Level Planning and Decision-Making (Tex. Educ. Code § 11.252 (3)(B)(i))- Statutory Law

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This state statutory law is through the Texas Education Code. This law states that a school district must develop and identify methods for addressing the needs of students regarding suicide, including developing a plan for parent notification (Tex. Educ. Code § 11.252). Educators and Counselors must implement a protected procedure when notifying parents to maintain confidentiality of student records. Parents should not be notified via email or any unsecured source.

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EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 11. SCHOOL DISTRICTS

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Sec. 11.002. RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. The school districts and charter schools created in accordance with the laws of this state have the primary responsibility for implementing the state's system of public education and ensuring student performance in accordance with this code.

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Slide #8- Eisel v. Montgomery Education County Board of Education (1991)- Judicial Law

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Slide #8- Eisel v. Montgomery Education County Board of Education (1991)- Judicial Law

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This court case determined that counselors have a duty to intervene to attempt to prevent a student’s suicide if they are made aware of the threat.  Judges recognized that counselors hear a considerable amount of suicide ideation; however, are aware that some threats are not authentic. The court concluded that since counselors act in loco parentis and are liable for the students overall well-being during the hours of the school day, they have a duty to warn even if the possibility of suicide is low.

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Schools must implement suicide prevention training to all educators that meets Texas Education Agency (TEA) code. Furthermore, all districts must maintain up to date records of educators that have participated in suicide prevention training.

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Education rules concerning creditable years of service

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In addition to state administrative and statutory laws, local administrative laws such as the Austin Independent School District (AISD) handbook also provides mandates on suicide prevention. The AISD Code of Conduct regarding professional development states that suicide prevention plans and trainings must use a best-practice program recommended by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Additionally, it must meet TEA requirements and districts are expected to keep records of each employee that has completed the training
(Austin Independent School District Code of Conduct Handbook, 2017)

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Ethical standard A-2e is applicable because it states that a counselor must maintain confidentiality but a breach is required to prevent potential harm happening to the student. Standard A-9a states school counselors should notify parents and appropriate authorities when a student presents a risk to harm themselves (ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, 2016). This is connected to the role of a school counselor because often times it is the counselors duty to warn the parents when their child is showing signs or behaviors associated with suicide risk.

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

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Slide #12- Non-law Source- Suicide Prevention Resource Center

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Slide #12- Non-law Source- Suicide Prevention Resource Center

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The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is a great resources for educators and counselors regarding matters of suicide prevention and response. The SPRC provides resources regarding warning signs, risk factors, how to identify and assist, and respond to crisis. The website is accessible to all and also provides information to free suicide prevention hotlines for students (call or text). Providing students with other outlets (such as hotlines) can be beneficial and a non-invasive way of promoting mental health. Students may not show signs of suicide; however, may use the resource privately if it is available to them.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2019). Warning signs for suicide. Retrieved from http://www.sprc.org/about-suicide/warning-signs

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Warning Signs for Suicide | Suicide Prevention Resource Center

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The Suicide Prevention Resource Center at EDC is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), under Grant No. 5U79SM062297.

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Slide #13-  Personal Perspective Regarding Suicide Response and Prevention

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Slide #13-  Personal Perspective Regarding Suicide Response and Prevention

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As school counselors, it is important that we receive and implement the proper training for suicide prevention and response. Suicide prevention and response are present and realistic in today's schools. Understanding legal and ethical principles that are tied to suicide prevention and response are key to making sure that students' needs are met. I have learned, through various state and local laws, that schools emphasize an importance for recognizing signs of suicide and reporting.
As a future counselor, I am liable for student safety and have a duty to warn/notify parents when I have a reason to believe a student is in direct harm to themselves. Throughout this process I have some key "take aways" regarding best practices when implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that makes suicide prevention and response a priority. The best practices for implementing a school-wide suicide prevention plan include:

training teachers and support staff on warning signs/risk factors of potentially suicidal students

training teachers and support staff on reporting protocols to counseling department when a legitimate concern arrises

creating a school-wide protocol for administering a student risk-assessment for students who are referred

collaboration and consultation within the counseling department to determine if risk is authentic

creating a school-wide protocol for notifying parents

maintaining and documenting all contact with student in regards to their suicide threat

maintaining and documenting all staff training and referrals

Through these best practices we can ensure that we are following procedures for the best interest of the student. Suicide prevention starts with educators and counselors.