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Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators

Suicide rates for teens and young adults is on the rise. However, there is something parents and educators can do to combat the epidemic. Suicide is PREVENTABLE. The National Association of School Psychologists assembled this guide to educate parents and educators about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide.

Reference:
Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents & Educators. (n.d.). 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

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Adolescent suicide and suicide ideation have increased in recent years

Establishing a mental health safety plan is an essential component of responsive services

Faculty and staff require formal training each year on topics such as: self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide

Counselors should have reference material regarding community resources readily available for parents and guardians

Educating students about coping skills and legal ramifications, such as David’s law, should be part of the campus safety plan

Parents need to be informed when the student poses a serious threat to themselves or others.

Suicide is preventable. Knowing the risk factors and warning signs help to establish an effective campus safety plan.

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A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others

According to the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics, school counselors inform parents/guardians and/or appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others.

Counselors work within the boundaries of confidentiality. However, there are limits to confidentiality when serious and foreseeable harm to self and/or others is revealed. Counselors need to be aware of their responsibility to report serious claims of self-harm and suicide ideation.

Reference:

Legal & Ethical: American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/legal-ethical

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Boerne ISD is a school district on the outskirts of San Antonio, TX. After a sharp increase in student suicide, district officials implemented a solution. They put together a task force of teachers, parents, mental health professionals, and other interested parties. They banned together to provide effective training to teachers, counselors, and staff members.

Reference:
Collins, C. (2019, April 20). In Boerne, a Youth Suicide Prevention Effort that May Actually Work. Retrieved from https://www.texasobserver.org/in-boerne-a-youth-suicide-prevention-effort-that-may-actually-work/

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United States Code

42 U.S. Code § 290bb–36a

Suicide Prevention for Youth. Grants are awarded to organizations in order to establish youth suicide prevention programs. This law is important because it supports counselors in their important role to keep students safe.

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Texas Administrative Code

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 153.1013

Suicide prevention training is required for all educators. This law is important because suicide is preventable. Therefore, it is essential that educators and administrators are aware of the risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide.

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Texas Education Code

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

Schools must identify methods for addressing the needs of students for suicide prevention. Schools should include methods for preventing suicide in their campus and district improvement plans. This law is important because it holds counselors and administrators accountable for providing a safe, secure environment where the emotional needs of students are met.

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Eisel v. Board of Education of Montgomery County

Eisel v. Board of Education, 597 A.2d 447 (1991)

This case brought awareness to the issue of parental notification when suicidal ideation is a factor discussed in youth counseling sessions. Outcome: School Counselors have a duty to prevent suicide. This case is important because it directly supports the counselor code of ethics. If a student reveals intent to harm themselves or others, confidentiality limits apply. Counselors have a duty to inform parents when such topics arise.

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#5 Current Event: Statistics and Studies 

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#5 Current Event: Statistics and Studies 

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Teen suicides has become more common.

Adults must be more proactive.

Kids are more likely to recover from suicide ideation when caring adults are involved in their treatment.

Reference:
Resnick, B. (2019, February 28). A promising new clue to prevent teen suicide: Empower adults who care. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/2/28/18234667/teen-suicide-prevention

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David’s law relates to teen suicide by linking a possible motive to the current rise in suicide rates.

This day in age, counselors need to provide guidance regarding the legal ramifications of bullying, including cyber bullying.

Students need to be aware of their digital footprint as well as their digital responsibilities.

Reference:
Mendoza, M. (2016, January 12). Alamo Heights student was a victim of bullying before committing suicide, family says. Retrieved from https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Alamo-Heights-High-School-student-was-a-victim-of-6743320.php

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This resource provides a lot of statistical information that is relevant to educators who are working with suicidal students. It also provides tips and strategies on what counselors can do to help these students. This resource is also helpful because it discusses risk factors associated with suicide in order to help make educators more vigilant. Furthermore, it includes strategies for prevention and intervention.

Reference:

Combating Teen Suicide: Wake Forest University. (2018, October 02). Retrieved from https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/13-reasons-why-and-the-role-of-the-school-counselor-to-combat-teen-suicide/

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I interviewed Angie Perez. She is a middle school guidance counselor at Folks Middle School in Northside ISD.

https://sites.google.com/a/nisd.net/folks-counseling/

According to the professional I interviewed:

It is important for counselors to be aware of best practices when working with suicidal students because even though suicide is a rare event, its occurrence is on the rise. Due to this, educators should be aware of what they should do and what they should avoid when faced with a suicidal student. When a student, who is contemplating suicide, confides in someone at school, whether it be a teacher, friend, administrator, or counselor, they are reaching out for help. For this reason, it is important for schools to have policies and procedures in place.

Best practices include:

Establishing a mental health safety plan

Providing annual training to faculty and staff

Providing community health resources to parents of suicidal students

An emerging issue related to suicide that educators should monitor is level of severity. Many students make claims of suicidal thoughts, but when they are behind closed doors with a counselor, it is revealed that the situation is not as serious as originally expected. This is why it is essential to have a mental health crisis protocol on campus. This protocol should help counselors establish the severity of each suicidal claim.

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I am approaching this topic with the perspective of a middle school counselor. My audience includes fellow educators, such as teachers, administrators, and counselors. This legal padlet will serve as a resource guide for working with suicidal students. I selected this topic in order to gain a better understanding of working with suicidal students. As a counselor, it is important for me to remain calm during situations such as these. I decided to put together this resource guide in order to prepare myself and fellow educators on how to approach this sensitive issue.