REFERENCE: Texas Education Agency. (2021). Retrieved from
Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention | Texas Education Agency


* Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices by the CDC

REFERENCE:
Stone, D.M., Holland, K.M., Bartholow, B., Crosby, A.E., Davis, S., and Wilkins, N. (2017). Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policies, Programs, and Practices. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

* Secondly, helping students open their thinking and move outside of themselves will often help the situation. For example, directing students to compassion and bringing up the way their parents and best friend would feel if they committed suicide. Children’s brains are underdeveloped and unable to understand that suicide is permanent. Suicidal students are so focused on themselves and their pain that they have most likely not thought about the repercussions and pain they would cause loved ones. Although suicide is not an enjoyable topic to educate students on, it is important to help these students understand what comes from suicide and what it truly means. 

* Finally, Nancy feels that parent conversations are crucial. She explained how important it is to also educate the parents, as some may be unaware of what they are dealing with and how to handle the suicidal behaviors/threat. Informing the parents of helpful treatment avenues, in school and out of school resources, and simply letting the parents know you are available can make a huge difference. 

EMERGING ISSUE ON THIS TOPIC:
Nancy and I discussed the effects Covid-19 has had on children and teens, and she is extremely concerned for the mental health of today’s youth, especially the students forced to engage solely in remote learning. In fact, this past year, Northeast ISD’s suicide numbers more than doubled. Sadly, there were seven suicides within the district, proving the last year was traumatic for many. Furthermore, Nancy feels it will be interesting yet alarming to witness the impact lack of schooling will have on future learners. Additionally, many families have lost their business and are financially struggling. This issue goes much deeper than education. It goes as deep as starvation, homelessness, abuse, joblessness, and even trauma. Most likely, students of all ages can feel the weight the last year has had on their parents, their friends, and themselves. As a future counselor, I have no doubt I will witness first-hand the effects the pandemic has had on our nation’s youth. 

*This law protects American citizens' right to mental health care if necessary.
*Each person has the right to an individual plan for mental health treatment.

42 U.S. Code § 9501 - Bill of Rights | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

37.115(a)

*This states that schools must have a threat assessment team that follows policies and procedures dealing with critical situations such as suicidal students.
*The team is responsible for implementing safety protocols that follow TEA guidelines.

EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 37. DISCIPLINE; LAW AND ORDER (texas.gov)