# data[].attributes.body
I am a school counselor in the professional school counseling program at Angelo State University. My topic is suicide prevention protocols and the target audience is fellow school counselors but also considered was supervisors, community members and other stakeholders in student's academic/mental health concerns.

This topic was of interest to me because it is relevant to the profession, and has impacted my role as a school counselor. In addition, I felt it was important to bring attention to the ethical and legal ramifications of these protocols.

# data[].attributes.body
Suicide is an epidemic sweeping our nation, to address this, agencies have been created on the federal and state levels.

Federal: Within the United States Department of Health and Human Services, a strategy has been implemented to research preventative steps in addressing suicide and self harm. To increase awareness of this problem but to hopefully decrease the amount of times in occurs.

State: States are required to implement programs and policies that have decided by the federal government. To address the need for suicide prevention strategies the governing agency in the state of Texas is Texas Education Agency (TEA). School districts are audited by TEA to ensure that they are in compliance with regulations. Should a school district be out of compliance, TEA will take over that district and make changes in leadership and policies to correct this.

References:

Texas Education Agency. (2024). Suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/suicide-prevention-intervention-and-postvention

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. HHS.

https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-abuse/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
(e) The suicide prevention programs on the list provided under Subsection (a) must include components that provide for training school counselors, teachers, nurses, administrators, and other staff, as well as law enforcement officers and social workers who regularly interact with students, to:

(1) recognize students at risk of attempting suicide, including students who are or may be the victims of or who engage in bullying;

(2) recognize students displaying early warning signs and a possible need for early mental health or substance abuse intervention, which warning signs may include declining academic performance, depression, anxiety, isolation, unexplained changes in sleep or eating habits, and destructive behavior toward self and others;

(3) intervene effectively with students described by Subdivision (1) or (2) by providing notice and referral to a parent or guardian so appropriate action, such as seeking mental health or substance abuse services, may be taken by a parent or guardian; and

(4) assist students in returning to school following treatment of a mental health concern or suicide attempt.

Below are approved suicide prevention, intervention, postvention trainings, frameworks, interventions, registries, and supplemental programs. Intended audiences and resource type definitions are also listed below.

Substance Use Prevention Specialist (SUPS) - A person working to prevent substance use and misuse through the delivery of evidence-based prevention strategies developed by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). People working in this capacity for state-funded organizations either hold or are working toward an Associate Prevention Specialist (APS) designation, or Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) or Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist (ACPS) certifications. If a SUPS is the only Audience listed for a program, practice, training, or resource, it can ONLY be provided by a SUPS.

- Comprehensive school-wide or district-wide approach to implementing strategies or procedures, that is evidence-based and acknowledges the unique needs of your school or district that could include information, training, lessons, interventions, literature, and technical assistance to improve the quality and delivery of behavioral health services across the nation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
(e) The suicide prevention programs on the list provided under Subsection (a) must include components that provide for training school counselors, teachers, nurses, administrators, and other staff, as well as law enforcement officers and social workers who regularly interact with students, to: (1) recognize students at risk of attempting suicide,

# data[].attributes.body
State: Tex. Education Code § 33.006 (2021) describes the roles and responsibilities of a school counselor.

creating a comprehensive school counseling program

help students with special needs including self harm

consult with parents

refer to community resources

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.33.htm#33.006

Federal: The STANDUP Act of 2021 required all public school receiving funding to implement programs to raise awareness for suicide prevent and support for student’s facing ideation.

prevention training for employees

awareness of signs/warnings

have an evidence-based program

collect reports for data

https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ100/PLAW-117publ100.pdf

References:

Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act. 42 U.S.C § 520B (2021). https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ100/PLAW-117publ100.pdf

Texas Education Code § 35.006 (2021). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.33.htm#33.006

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide #4- Statute and Administrative Law

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide #4- Statute and Administrative Law

# data[].attributes.body
State Administrative: The Texas Administrative sets rules for how school districts in the state of Texas should implement mental health training for employees (Title 19, 2016).

school employees will participate in annual training

trainings include identifying warning signs

suicide prevention

protocols

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=T&app=9&p_dir=P&p_rloc=187943&p_tloc=9633&p_ploc=1&pg=2&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=153&rl=1021

State Statute: Texas Education code section 38.351 (2023) outlines that school districts in Texas are required to provide mental health services including suicide prevention protocols.

create a safe school climate

recognize a student at risk

intervene with a student at risk

provide community resources

assist with returning to school after outcry

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm#38.351

References:

Texas Education Code § 38.351 (2023). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm

Title 19 Texas Administrative Code §15.1021 (2016). https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=T&app=9&p_dir=P&p_rloc=187943&p_tloc=9633&p_ploc=1&pg=2&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=153&rl=1021

# data[].attributes.body
There are several court cases where schools and by extension counselors were found negligent because they performed risk assessments, found the student was not a high risk threat, but didn’t notify anyone and then subsequently the child went home and took their own life (Eisel v. Board of Education, 1991).

wrongful death case

counselor has duty to intervene

there was foreseeable harm

policy for preventing future harm

There was a suicide prevention protocol in place, which has since been examined

link: https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11504838149536622397&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr

Reference:

Eisel v. Board of Education of Montgomery County, 324 Md. 376 (Court of Appeals, 1991).

# data[].attributes.body
The federal government under the Biden-Harris administration introduced the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide prevention. This is within the branch of U.S. department of Health and Human Services. It seeks to provide resources and steps to prevent and identify suicidal tendencies (HHS, 2024).

10 year plan

whole society approach

address gaps in care

identify risks

address risks

crisis interventions

Link: https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-abuse/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html

Reference:

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. HHS.

https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-abuse/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html

# data[].attributes.body
As newly appointed school counselor, I was tasked to respond to a threat of self harm though I had very little training, other than explanation of the protocol packet. I notified the parents, and followed the suggested courses of action; unfortunately this lead to the student being traumatized at a facility and the parent upset with me. Though, this information didn't sit well with me I followed the necessary laws laid out by the Texas Education Code (2023) and ethics (ASCA, 2023)regarding suicide prevention and acted in the best interest of the child.

My feelings when thinking about laws or ethics, is to err or the side of caution. When we are talking about the lives and safety of children, one can never be too careful. I aspire to be a school counselor who acts professionally, unbiasedly, and empathetically with consideration for the safety and well-being of the student.

Reference:

American School Counselor Association. (2022) Ethical Standards for School Counselors. ASCA. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf

Texas Education Code § 38.351 (2023). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm

# data[].attributes.body
A.9 in the ASCA Ethical Standards for the School Counselor (2023)states how a school counselor should respond when a student poses a risk to themselves (or others).

link: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf

A school counselor has a ethical responsibility to inform guardians and administration when a student is at immediate or serious risk to self or others(a). Additionally, school counselors should be able to assess the risk level of suicidal ideation in student making an outcry and report results to guardians (b). If a student poses an extreme risk after assessment and counselor feels releasing to parents will be harmful to the student, the counselor may call authorities (e). Lastly, upon return to school or after outcry, a school counselor should provide post-interventions to check in on student, and share community mental health resources for long term care (c). As always follow district policy, and state and federal laws (d).

Reference:

American School Counselor Association. (2022) Ethical Standards for School Counselors. ASCA. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
1. Identify a student who is at risk

2. Inform/Consult superiors

3. Assess the level of risk by following protocols.

4. Notify parent or guardians

5. Weigh ethical components, that will cause the least amount of harm

6. Make a decision

7. Refer to outside source or hospitalize based on assessment

(ASCA, 2023)

It is very important to follow these steps (or similar ones) when addressing an outcry of self harm, because the legal and ethical repercussions could result in loss of life, or your job/certification. School counselors are usually the ones to assess the level of risk, so make sure you follow your district's protocol or risk assessment tool.

# data[].attributes.body
In accordance with Texas Education Code section 38.351 (2023) the district of Lamar CISD adopted policies for addressing student welfare with regards to intervening in cases of self-harm.

school create a safe and support team

create a threat assessment

notify parent/guardians

determine risk

refer to mental health services.

link: https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=481&code=FFB#legalTabContent

Reference:

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. (2021). FFB — Student Welfare: Crisis Intervention. https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=481&code=FFB#legalTabContent

Texas Education Code § 38.351 (2023). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm

# data[].attributes.body
Analyze your ethical/legal dilemma

Consider your training and protocols

Evaluate the development stage of the student

Seek consultation from supervisor, colleague, or mentor

Notify the parent/guardians

Perform any necessary assessments

Make a decision while considering ethical/legal components

Refer to outside resources

Assist in returning to school