# data[].attributes.body
My professional perspective is as a new high school teacher who just transitioned from the military as an instructor. This legal guide is directed towards all educators and school staff.

I chose this topic because I have worked with numerous young adults that suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. I feel that if we as adults can help these individuals when they are young, it may be beneficial to their mental health when they are adults.

# data[].attributes.body
The National Education Association published an article titled "Connecting with Students Can Save Lives" by Lily Garcia. You can find the article at...
https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/connecting-students-can-save-lives

The resource lists some statistics regarding student suicides such as how 1 in 6 young people have reported seriously considering suicide (Garcia, 2020). Or how 48% of gay, lesbian, or bisexual students have considered suicide as well (Garcia, 2020). However, for me, the biggest take-away from the article is we can potentially save lives by connecting with students and treating them as people.

Garcia, L. E. (2020, January 6). Connecting with Students Can Save Lives. nea.org. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/connecting-students-can-save-lives

# data[].attributes.body
I interviewed Lorynn Gutierrez for this legal guide. She is a guidance counselor at San Antonio Elementary School in Pasco County, Florida. Lorynn says this topic, working with suicidal students, is important because student safety is our priority as educators and adults. She says mental health has always been important but in recent years it has been thrust into the spotlight with incidents such as school shootings and the number of adolescent suicides increasing. Additionally, Lorynn says working with suicidal students has changed the way teachers and staff interact with students. Educators need to be aware of signs students give off or things they say that could be potential cues to suicidal thoughts.

Best Practices
- Promote positive mental health
- Establish a welcoming, caring, and safe learning environment
- Develop a "whole school approach" that focuses on training and awareness

Emerging Issue: Substance Abuse, Social Media, and Suicide
The combination of substance abuse and social media have been thought of as being contributing factors to depression and suicidal behavior. Social media has made it "cool" to drink and do drugs and it has popularized and dramatized suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and substance abuse has been shown to be a contributing factor in suicidal attempts. It is definitely a major public health problem that needs to be monitored.

# data[].attributes.body
The Daily Mail recently published an article regarding a surge of student suicides in Las Vegas.
- 18 students committed suicide during the 9 months Las Vegas schools were utilizing virtual learning during the COVID pandemic
- This is double the number of Las Vegas student suicides in 2019
- The surge in suicides prompted the school district to re-open schools in order to better catch suicidal warning signs

Bunyan, R. (2021, January 25). Spate of suicides among Las Vegas students prompts schools to reopen: 18 youngsters - the youngest just nine-years-old - killed themselves during nine-month studying from home period. Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9183813/Spate-suicides-Las-Vegas-students-prompts-schools-reopen-18-kill-themselves.html

# data[].attributes.body
The Palm Coast Observer published an article in November 2020 regarding a lawsuit against the school district for responding inadequately to claims of bullying, leading to a student committing suicide.
- The school district acknowledges that the student and her mother both reported instances of bullying but denies responding inadequately
- The school district says it is not the insurer of the safety of its students and not liable for injuries that may occur
- The school district maintains there was no breach of duty regarding the student

Simmons, J. (2020, November 30). Lawsuit says school district didn't respond adequately to bullying before teen's suicide. Palm Coast Observer. https://www.palmcoastobserver.com/article/lawsuit-says-school-district-didnt-respond-adequately-to-bullying-before-teens-suicide

# data[].attributes.body
Federal Constitutional Law: 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States
- Guarantees equal protection of the laws
- Protects the right to a public education
Link: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/
U.S. Const. Amend. XIV § 1

# data[].attributes.body
Federal Statutory Law: Suicide Prevention for Youth
- Awards grants or cooperative agreements to public organizations that design and incorporate early intervention and prevention strategies for youth suicide
- Activities must be coordinated with the relative Department of Health and Human Services agencies
Link: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/290bb-36a
42 U.S. Code § 290bb-36a

# data[].attributes.body
Texas Statute: Texas Family Code - Consent to Counseling
- A child may consent to counseling for suicide prevention, chemical addiction, and or sexual, physical and emotional abuse
Link:  https://www.esc1.net/cms/lib/TX21000366/Centricity/Domain/89/Texas_laws_suicide_prevention_services_or_reporting.pdf
Tex Family Code § 32.004

# data[].attributes.body
Texas Education Code: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Youth Suicide
- The Health and Human Services Commission annually updates a list of best practice based programs and research based practices in the general education setting
Link:  https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/suicide-prevention-intervention-and-postvention
TEC § 38.351

# data[].attributes.body
The San Angelo ISD Student Handbook notes the district has implemented programs supporting suicide prevention and intervention. The handbook also has policies regarding bullying and other negative behavior that encourages students to commit or attempt to commit suicide.
Link:  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1609949031/saisdorg/g3am1duqv5snuljppgcm/StudentHandbook2020-2021.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
TAC § 228.30 Educator Preparation Curriculum
Educators must receive instruction regarding substance abuse, mental health, and youth suicide as annotated in the TEC. Instruction must come from a list of best practice programs or a accredited institution of higher education.

Link: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/sbecrules/tac/chapter228/ch228.html

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

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

# data[].attributes.body
I am connected to the legal and ethical standards both personally and professionally. I am professionally connected through my experience as a military instructor. I have instructed numerous young adults that struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. Personally, I am connected through my own daughter who struggles with suicidal thoughts and attempts. These laws and standards represent something more to me than just resources and best practices. To me, the legal and ethical standards are avenues to facilitate and encourage youth to live.

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide 13 Recommendations and Best Practices

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide 13 Recommendations and Best Practices

# data[].attributes.body
Below is a list of recommendations or best practices when dealing with youth suicide:
- Connecting with students can save lives...literally
- Promote positive mental health
- Establish a welcoming, caring, and safe learning environment
- Develop a "whole school approach" that focuses on training and awareness
- Enforce the behavior policies in the student handbook
- Respond to claims of bullying and negative behavior
- Take all claims of suicide serious
- Be aware of the verbal and non-verbal warning signs
- Ask, Care, Escort : Ask if the individual is ok. Care enough to listen. Escort (if needed) to a healthcare professional
- Be cognizant of state and federal law as well as reporting procedures