Legal & Ethical Guide- Suicidal Students by Chantel Luce https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu Made with a dash of wit en-us 2021-03-01 21:29:01 UTC 2021-03-11 19:45:54 UTC hello@padlet.com #1 Professional Perspective/Audience Topic cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1255616424 As a school counselor, I see how suicide is a significant issue that impacts individuals across age, race/ethnicity, and gender. It has been suggested with suicide occurring so frequently, counselors are likely to encounter suicidal students (Foster & McAdams, 1999). This padlet is designed to inform and help professionals prepare to address this form of crisis. With suicide being the second leading cause of death, hopefully the information provided can help get students the help they need. ]]> 2021-03-01 21:34:24 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1255616424 #2 Summary of Topic cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1255684911 Suicide prevention is an important objective for all. Behind accidents and homicide, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among teenagers (Centers for Disease Control, 2009). It is important to understand that suicidal thoughts and behaviors affect many school age children. According to the CDC, 1 out of 6 high school students seriously consider attempting suicide. 1 out of 13 high school students attempt suicide one or more times. Schools are in a unique position, and have important obligations to students and their families. Maintaining a safe school environment is part of a school's overall mission. Mental Health problems often negatively affect students' academic performance. Depression and other mental health issues interfere with students' ability to learn which is reflected in poor grades. In addition, a student suicide can significantly impact other students and the entire school community. This information will help ensure that you are not negligent with regards to students at risk for suicide. Also as educators, we have a legal duty in creating and maintaining a safe environment for students. It is wise for us, as educators, to identify students that may be identified as troubled. As employees of the district we should work hard to prevent further anguish students may encounter at the school, rather that be harassment, bullying, or mental health issues that leads to suicide or suicidal thoughts (Underwood, 2019) . ]]> 2021-03-01 21:58:01 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1255684911 #3 Professional Association cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265480163 When searching through the American School Counselor Association, I came across a video on how to Model School Policy on Suicide Prevention. As counselors we are included and asked how to properly align our district policy to best fit the needs of our student. This video gives insight on how to prevent suicide by utilizing the district policy. After watching this video you will walk away with key components to use in school suicide prevention (ASCA, 2019). ]]> 2021-03-03 18:50:39 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265480163 #4 Current New Articles cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265481518 Education Week
1 in 7 Students Report having Seriously Considered Suicide, Survey Finds
  • This news article informs school counselors and other personal of the students who are most at risk. 
  • YouthTruth, a nonprofit group, conducted the survey polling 70,000 students ranging from grades 5-12 in 18 states. 
  • Education Week identifies the students who are most at risk followed by how teacher, principles, coaches and other staff can recognize and connect them with resources. 
(Prothero, 2019)
]]> 2021-03-03 18:50:55 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265481518 #5 Current News Articles cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265484313 Education Week
Federal Appeals Court Lets Lawsuit Proceed Against Educators in Student's Suicide 
  • Wrongful death lawsuit has been filed on behalf of an 8-year-old boy who committed suicide after severe bullying at school.
  • U.S. Courts reject the former principal and assistant principal, after they asked for them to throw out claims that the school district acted recklessly in handling a bullying case. 
  • School district failed to contact the parents on multiple cases of bullying being done to their child on several incidents. 
  • The school was sued by the parents, and the 6th Circuit was confused on why the student was left unattended after being made aware of multiple bullying encounters that they were aware of. 
  • Although the administrators were arguing that the child's suicide was not foreseeable, the 6th Circuit made their decision based on Tumminello v. Father Ryan High School.  This states that is a school knows of a student being bullied and does nothing, it is foreseeable that the victim might resort to self harm, even suicide. 
(Walsh, 2020)
]]> 2021-03-03 18:51:25 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265484313 #6 Original Sources of Law (State)(Statutory Law) cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265485604 Education Code
Local Organization and Governance
Chapter 11. School Districts
"The district improvement plan must include strategies for improvement of student performance that include methods for addressing the needs of students for special programs, Including suicide prevention programs  (in accordance with Health and Safety Code requirements regarding parental or guardian notification procedures), conflicts resolution, violence prevention, or dyslexia treatment programs." 
Tex. Educ. Code §11.252(a)(3)(B)


]]> 2021-03-03 18:51:38 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265485604 #7 Original Sources of Law (State)(Statutory Law) cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265489594 Education Code
Curriculum, Programs, and Services
Chapter 33. Service Programs and Extracurricular Activates
"The counselor shall participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive developmental guidance program to serve all students and to address the special needs of students who are at risk of dropping out of school, becoming substance abusers, participating in gang activity, or Committing Suicide." 
Tex. Educ. Code §33.006(b)]]> 2021-03-03 18:52:23 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265489594 #8 Original Sources of Law (Federal)(Statutory) cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265490715 Public Law 
Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act 
"To amend the Public Health Service Act to support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of organized activities involving statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies, to authorize grants to institutions of higher education to reduce student mental and behavioral health problems, and for other purposes. 
Garrett Le Smith Memorial Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-355, § 2634, 118 Stat.1404 (2004)]]> 2021-03-03 18:52:36 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265490715 #9 Original Sources of Law (State)(Judicial Law) cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265491815 Supreme Court
A counselor at Medina City, was told by students that D.B. (an 8th-grade student) was cutting and had threatened suicide. The counselor met with the young man and talked with the parents. Two weeks later, another report was made, but the counselor did nothing, and a couple of days later the student died by suicide. The father sued the district and the school counselor. The school district end up being protected by the state's qualified immunity, but the the case against the counselor went to trial. The Ohio Court of Appeals upheld the trial court, finding there was a question of recklessly so they eliminated her immunity.
(Baab v. Medina City School Bd. of Edn., 2015-Ohio-5315.) ]]> 2021-03-03 18:52:48 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265491815 #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265499314 The purpose of our policy is to protect the health and well-being of all students at PHS by having procedures in place to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene in, and respond to suicide. This policy is meant to be corresponding with other policies in the district supporting the emotional and behavioral health of students more broadly. Specifically, this policy is meant to be applied in accordance with the district’s Child Find obligations (Palestine Independent School District, 2020).




]]> 2021-03-03 18:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265499314 #11 Ethical Principle cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265504422 B.2.a.
Serious and Foreseeable Harm and Legal Requirements   
The general requirement that counselors keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is required to protect clients or identified others from serious and foreseeable harm or when legal requirements demand that confidential information must be revealed. Counselors consult with other professionals when in doubt as to the validity of an exception. Additional considerations apply when addressing end-of-life issues. (ACA, 2014, B.2.a.). 

As we are faced with information from the student about self harm and or suicide, it is important as counselors that we are aware of our exceptions. Although Code of Ethics gives us limitations, they also lay out these exceptions for the best interest of the students.


]]> 2021-03-03 18:55:05 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265504422 #12 Non-Law Source cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265507234 This journal entry lays out helpful information from a counselors perspective on addressing suicidal thoughts. It list out a warning signs, helpful conversations, and places that you can reach out for help (University of North Texas, 2018). ]]> 2021-03-03 18:55:38 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265507234 #13 Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance cluce11 https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265509716 In order for us to comply with state law its imperative that we:
  • Improve our district plan, making sure that it aligns with the Health and Safe Code when dealing with suicide or suicidal students. 
  • It is my obligation to take this plan and implement it into the comprehensive school counseling program as I recognize risk factors. 
Risk Factor - characteristics that are associated with suicidal thoughts. 
  • depression or other mental illness
  • physical, sexual abuse, or bullying
Suicide Warning - some suicidal behaviors 
  • Statements that are directed towards suicide or indirect
  • suicidal notes, including online postings
  • change in behavior, appearance, thoughts, and feelings
What to do 
  • remain calm 
  • Ask direct questions
  • listen 
  • no judgement 
  • provide constant supervision 

]]> 2021-03-03 18:56:09 UTC https://padlet.com/cluce11/5q9bt1suckv4mtbu/wish/1265509716