# data[].attributes.body
My professional perspective is that of a future school counselor with experience teaching elementary and high school students. The intended audience for this Padlet is future/current school counselors. The topic of suicide was chosen because suicide rates among adolescents are steadily rising (Curtin, 2020).

References
Curtin, S. (2020). State suicide rates among adolescents and young adults aged 10–24: United States, 2000–2018. National Vital Statistics Reports, 69(11), 1-9. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/nvsr-69-11-508.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
Suicide is such an important topic in the field of school counseling because school counselors are often the first line of offense and defense (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021). School counselors most often head up the prevention programs and are the first to hear a student’s suicidal thoughts (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021). The impact of this topic is large as school counselors deal with suicide risks very often in their work (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021).

The best practices for dealing with suicide as a counselor include having an effective prevention and awareness program, having a suicide risk assessment protocol, and involving parents and guardians in the safety of their child (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021).

An emerging issue is the glorification of suicide to teens (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021). For example, a recent Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, showed how much attention and love the teen got after committing suicide (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021). Educators need to be on the lookout for future shows or movies like this in order to be aware what shows are influencing the students (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021). School counselors need to be aware of these types of shows so they can prepare ways to mitigate risks associated with watching (H. Pavlu, personal communication, July 7, 2021).

Interviewee:
Heather Pavlu
School Counselor
Schulenburg Elementary

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Suicide-Risk-Assessment

Summary: This resource gives a summary of what the school counselor’s role is in suicide risk assessment. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) gives guidance in this post, detailing that school counselors are responsible for following and improving district protocols, always contacting parents and guardians without negating risk, and serving on a collaborative team (ASCA, 2020). The ASCA also provides resources for best practices in prevention including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American School Counselor Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and The Trevor Project (ASCA, 2020).

Reference

American School Counselor Association. (2020). The school counselor and suicide risk assessment. https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Suicide-Risk-Assessment

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/federal-appeals-court-lets-lawsuit-proceed-against-educators-in-students-suicide/2020/12

Summary:

An elementary student committed suicide after being bullied at school. This news article shows the importance of taking bullying seriously in the school environment. It informs educators of the relationship between bullying and suicide incidents and the possible ramifications of unreported bullying.

The accused administrators in this case failed to help a student being bullied nor did they properly report the bullying to his parents (Walsh, 2020). The administrators argued that the suicide was not foreseeable; yet another decision in the same court,  Tumminello v. Father Ryan High School (2017), decided that self-harm or suicide could be foreseeable if the school did not take action concerning a bullying case (Walsh, 2020).

Reference
Walsh, M. (2020). Federal appeals court lets lawsuit proceed against educators in student's suicide. EducationWeek. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/federal-appeals-court-lets-lawsuit-proceed-against-educators-in-students-suicide/2020/12

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://www.k12dive.com/news/at-least-8-states-this-year-have-passed-laws-related-to-youth-suicide-preve/532835/

Summary:

Eight states introduced laws related to youth suicide prevention in 2018 (Vercelletto, 2018).

Colorado was one of these states and also pushed for 12-year-olds to be able to receive counseling without parental consent (Vercelletto, 2018).

Privacy issues are a concern but administrators should do what is best to keep students safe (Vercelletto, 2018).

Overall, it is increasingly common for states to require a suicide prevention program (Vercelletto, 2018).

Reference
Vercelletto, C. (2018). At least 8 states this year have passed laws related to youth suicide prevention. K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/at-least-8-states-this-year-have-passed-laws-related-to-youth-suicide-preve/532835/

# data[].attributes.body
Source of law: Constitutional law

Link: https://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm#amdt_14_(1868)

The fourteenth amendment details that no one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process (U.S. Const. Amend. IVX).

The fourteenth amendment pertains to this topic because schools may face lawsuits in which they are accused of negligence or not preventing the suicide.

Educators have a right to the due process clause under the circumstance that a state-created danger is being faced (Cafaro, 2000).

Reference
Cafaro, C. S., (2000). Student suicides and school system liability. School Law Bulletin.
U.S. Const. Amend. IVX

# data[].attributes.body
Source of law: Statutory law

Link: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section7118&num=0&edition=prelim

Schools receiving funding shall use part of the funds received from the state to implement programs that support a safe and healthy environment for students (20 USC § 7118(D)).

Among other programs, high-quality staff training concerning suicide prevention is recommended as a potential use of these funds (20 USC § 7118(D)).

Reference
Activities to support safe and healthy students, (20 USC § 7118(D)).

# data[].attributes.body
Source of law: Judicial law

Link: https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/1997/3960485.html

In Grant v. Board of Trustees of Valley View School District (1997), a student's suicidal thoughts and drug use were reported to the school counselor, who informed the parent and recommended that the student be seen for his drug abuse.

The parent claimed that she was not informed of the suicidal ideations but the case was dismissed based on the Tort Immunity Act (Grant v. Board of Trustees of Valley View School District, 1997).

Reference
Grant v. Board of Trustees of Valley View School District (1997).

# data[].attributes.body
Source of law: Administrative law

Link: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/ch074a.pdf

The Texas Administrative Code details required curriculum which must include enrichment curriculum (19 TAC §74.1).

Suicide prevention instruction, including the recognition of risk factors and warning signs, is required under the enrichment curriculum (19 TAC §74.1).

Reference
Essential Knowledge and Skills, 19. Tex. Admin. Code § 74.1

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://www.lisdtx.org/cms/lib/TX02215761/Centricity/Domain/93/LISD%20Suicide%20Protocol%2017-18%20updated.docx

Lampasas ISD policy is to follow the linked Suicide Crisis Protocol. The protocol includes a checklist to determine risk level, an interview template with script, a parent/guardian emergency conference notice, a student safety plan, and a list of counseling resources (Lampasas ISD, 2017).

Reference
Lampasas ISD. (2017). Lampasas Independent School District suicide crisis protocol. https://www.lisdtx.org/cms/lib/TX02215761/Centricity/Domain/93/LISD%20Suicide%20Protocol%2017-18%20updated.docx

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

A.9a of the ASCA Ethical Standards states that counselors need to inform parents/guardians, and authorities when appropriate, if a student poses a serious risk to others or themselves (ASCA, 2016). Even if the student seems low risk, parents must be notified (ASCA, 2016).

Reference
ASCA. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

# data[].attributes.body
The legal and ethical standards associated with suicide prevention allowed me to learn about suicide and suicide prevention during my high school education. Some states are just now requiring suicide prevention programs, while Texas has for a decade. I was able to go through high school without having any close friends commit suicide and with more awareness of it as an issue affecting teens.

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide #13 Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide #13 Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

# data[].attributes.body
Have a clear protocol for students at risk of suicide.

Take all tips or threats seriously.

Always inform parents/guardians of any risk of suicide for their student.

Attend professional development to remain informed on best practices.

The district must host training for staff on suicide prevention and recognition.

Provide students with suicide prevention instruction.

# data[].attributes.body
Activities to support safe and healthy students, (20 USC § 7118(D)).

American School Counselor Association. (2020). The school counselor and suicide risk assessment. https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Suicide-Risk-Assessment

ASCA. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

Cafaro, C. S., (2000). Student suicides and school system liability. School Law Bulletin.

Curtin, S. (2020). State suicide rates among adolescents and young adults aged 10–24: United States, 2000–2018. National Vital Statistics Reports, 69(11), 1-9. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/nvsr-69-11-508.pdf

Essential Knowledge and Skills, 19. Tex. Admin. Code § 74.1

Grant v. Board of Trustees of Valley View School District (1997).

Lampasas ISD. (2017). Lampasas Independent School District suicide crisis protocol. https://www.lisdtx.org/cms/lib/TX02215761/Centricity/Domain/93/LISD%20Suicide%20Protocol%2017-18%20updated.docx

U.S. Const. Amend. IVX

Vercelletto, C. (2018). At least 8 states this year have passed laws related to youth suicide prevention. K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/at-least-8-states-this-year-have-passed-laws-related-to-youth-suicide-preve/532835/

Walsh, M. (2020). Federal appeals court lets lawsuit proceed against educators in student's suicide. EducationWeek. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/federal-appeals-court-lets-lawsuit-proceed-against-educators-in-students-suicide/2020/12

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The School Counselor and Suicide Risk Assessment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
School counselors support best practice in suicide prevention to reduce suicide risk in children and adolescents and are part of a collaborative team who respond when students are identified as at-risk for suicide. When students are identified or are in crisis, school counselors support them by providing parents/guardians with appropriate information and referrals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The School Counselor and Suicide Prevention/Awareness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
School counselors work to identify behavioral and social/emotional signs of suicide risk among their students and ensure prevention methods are in place. It is the school counselor's ethical and moral responsibility to report suspected suicide risk to legal guardians and the appropriate authorities.