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1)    why the Legal Guide topic is important in your field of education or how it is impacting your field of education, (approximately 4 sentences)

Answer: Reminding parents the importance of staying aware of what their child is doing and how they are feeling is important. Informing the school staff about staying vigilant and teaching them the correct steps to take in the case of potential suicides. It is important to make sure the school is a safe and loving environment for all students. I contribute by talking to the students, advocating for them, and supporting parents.

2)    best practices related to your topic (must include three best practices, can be bulleted sentences),

Answer: Discussing bullying prevention during classroom guidance, discussing friendship during classroom guidance, and encouraging students to come and talk to the school counselor about issues.

3)    an area emerging issue related to your topic that educators should watch to see how it plays out and impacts your work, (approximately 4 sentences)

Answer: Students that self-harm and cut themselves is an emerging issue related to student suicide that all educators need to be aware of. This is an issue that is on the rise. It is a clear sign of a troubled individual. Some students do it just to feel pain.

4)    who you interviewed (name, title, school/org).  If available, include a link to the person's bio or school.

Answer: I interviewed Mrs. Emma Seward, School Counselor, Brunswick County Schools in Virginia.

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Slide #14 - Bullet list of recommendations

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Slide #14 - Bullet list of recommendations

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-       Teachers and school officials should create a warm and welcoming environment.

-       Address bullying

-       All schools should adopt a student suicide prevention policy.

-       Educate students and staff about depression, suicide, and prevention.

-       Parents should monitor their children and their social media accounts.

-       After a suicide has occurred, do not glamorize the suicide.

-       After a suicide has occurred, school counselors should provide one-on-one and small group counseling for students and staff

-       Be prepared to help students and staff cope during the anniversary of a suicide.

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Citation –

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2019). Suicide in Children and Teens.            Retrieved July 19, 2019, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-            Guide/Teen-Suicide-010.aspx

Link –

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Teen-Suicide-010.aspx

Brief Summary –

This is an excellent website for parents, educators, etc. It gives early warning signs of suicidal thoughts in children and teens. It also explains how depression is linked to suicide.

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a. Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including students, educators and parents/guardians when student assistance is needed, including the identification of early warning signs of student distress.

Citation –

American School Counselor Association. Ethical Standards for School Counselors. American            School Counselor Association, 2016. Web. 19 July 2019.                                                  https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

Link –  https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

Brief Summary – School counselors are expected to collaborate with teachers, parents, etc. to determine the best way to help suicidal students. School counselors may also meet one-on-one with students.

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Citation 5: Cobb County School District.[2016, June 6]. CCSD Board Policies and Administrative Rules. Retrieved from http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/j/JGJA-R.pdf

Source of law – Local Administrative Law

Link- http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/j/JGJA-R.pdf

Brief Summary- In accordance with state law, the Cobb County School District will provide suicide prevention training for staff annually and all local public schools must adopt a student suicide prevention policy.

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Citation 5: Cobb County School District.[2016, June 6]. CCSD Board Policies and Administrative Rules. Retrieved from http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/j/JGJA-R.pdf

Source of law – Local Administrative Law

Link- http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/j/JGJA-R.pdf

Brief Summary- In accordance with state law, the Cobb County School District will provide suicide prevention training for staff annually and all local public schools must adopt a student suicide prevention policy.

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Citation 4: H.B. 198, 2015 Jason Flatt Act, 2015 Reg. Sess. (GA. 2015)

Source of law – Statutory Law

Link- http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20152016/152293.pdf

Brief Summary – Its purpose is to ensure that all public schools in Georgia provide their faculty and staff with suicide prevention training. All public schools in Georgia are required to adopt a student suicide prevention policy.

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Citation 3: O.C.G.A. § 37-1-27- Legislative findings; Suicide Prevention Program; implementation

Source of law- Statutory Law

Link- https://afsp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Suicide-Prevention-Statutes-Schools-1.pdf

Brief Summary – This gives facts about how suicide effects youth in Georgia. It also explains how the Suicide Prevention Program is implemented.

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Citation 2: O.C.G.A. § 20-2-779.1.

Source of law – Statutory Law

Link- https://afsp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Suicide-Prevention-Statutes-Schools-1.pdf

Brief Summary – It requires that all certified public school personnel receive suicide and prevention training.

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Citation 1: 42 U.S. Code § 290bb–36a.Suicide prevention for youth

Source of law- Federal Administrative Law

Link-http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section290bb-36a&num=0&edition=prelim

Brief Summary – It requires the secretary of the state to provide grants and resources to put early intervention and prevention strategies in place against youth suicide.

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Another online article titled, Schools Grapple With Student Depression as Data Show Problem Worsening, explains how students’ mental health can lead to suicide. According to (Blad, 2019), “Teachers and principals must be more versed in the warning signs of serious issues like mood disorders, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts so that they can better serve students in crisis.” Psychologists believe economic trends, the use of smartphones, and social isolations are factors to consider when dealing with mental illness of youth. Moderation is very important when it comes to the use of smartphones. Many schools are taking measures to address the problem. At Sarah Pyle Academy in Delaware, students are required to track and reflect on their daily practices which may include sleep, use of smartphones, and water intake. Also, professional counselors visit the school to provide one-on-one counseling and support groups. At another school, counselors hold events to teach parents preventative measures and how to recognize signs of depression in their children. The article ends by addressing the need for more counselors and resources for mental health. One counselor at a school isn’t enough when considering the rise in youth suicide. For more information, the article can be found at https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/03/14/schools-grapple-with-student-depression-as-data.html

Resource:

Blad, E. (2019, March 14). Schools Grapple With Student Depression as Data Show Problem    Worsening. Retrieved from                                       https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/03/14/schools-grapple-with-student-depression-as-data.html

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An online article titled, Suicides Are on the Rise. Here's How Schools Can Help, is an excellent read for educators. The article begins by addressing the rise of suicides and the statistics. It explains what schools should do to help prevent youth suicide and what steps need to be taken after a suicide has occurred. According to (Stark, 2018), “What can schools do? Create a warm and welcoming environment, address bullying, and educate students and staff about depression and suicide are a few key strategies.” The article suggests for schools to not glamorize the death after a suicide has occurred. It can lead to a suicide ripple effect by giving other suicidal students the courage to actually commit suicide. According to one of the videos included in the online article, instead the school officials should identify students who are most at risk and most effected by the suicide, provide one-on-one and small group counseling for students and staff, do not glamorize the suicide, encourage parents to monitor their children and their social media accounts, encourage the school staff to stay vigilant, and be prepared to help students cope on the anniversary of the suicide. For more information, the article can be found at: https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2018/12/suicides_continue_to_increase_how_schools_can_help.html

Reference:

Stark, S. (2018, December 4). Suicides Are on the Rise. Here's How Schools Can Help.      Retrieved from https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2018/12/suicides_continue_to_increase_how_schools_can_help.html

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I found an excellent website from a professional association related to student suicide. The National Association of School Psychologists has a website that gives excellent tips for parents and educators to help prevent youth suicide. This information can be found at: 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

Resource:

National Association of School Psychologists. (2019). Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for         Parents & Educators. Retrieved July 19, 2019, 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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Currently, I am a kindergarten teacher pursuing a masters degree in school counseling. I would like to work in an elementary school. My professional perspective is that the sooner students are taught to use strategies to help them deal with their emotions and issues the better off they will be. Early intervention is necessary. I chose student suicide, because I recognize the importance of knowing preventative measures as well as knowing restorative measures. The audience is the school staff and parents, because everyone can help stop student suicide. This presentation will be delivered during a school PTA meeting at the beginning of the school year. According to (The Parent Resource Program: The Jason Foundation, 2019), “Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for ages 10-24.” Unfortunately, I know as an educator that many students face many issues that they should never have to deal with. This occurs in early childhood. Not knowing how to handle their issues properly has led to many cases of suicide. I would like to use this padlet to spread an awareness of youth suicide, preventative measures, and restorative measures. Let’s save our youth! They are the future!

Reference:

The Parent Resource Program: The Jason Foundation. (2019). Youth Suicide Statistics.        Retrieved July 19, 2019, from                                                                                                                        http://prp.jasonfoundation.com/facts/youth-suicide-statistics/