Legal and Ethical Principles Guide by Marisa Waybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0 Working with Suicidal Students en-us 2022-07-18 21:59:48 UTC 2025-10-22 13:46:55 UTC hello@padlet.com 1. Professional Perspective/Audience/ Topic marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245636934 I am pursuing my M.S. in Professional School Counseling at Angelo State University. Currently, I serve as a high school counselor at a private school, but I would like to have the option to be a school counselor at public schools.

Given the increase in mental health issues since the beginning of the pandemic, my topic is working with suicidal students, and the audience is administration, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians. ]]> 2022-07-18 22:02:05 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245636934 2. Interview marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245653894 Interviewee: Chelsea Evans serves as a high school counselor at Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress, Texas.

Cypress Ranch Counseling Page: https://www.cfisd.net/domain/1006

Working with Suicidal Students: C. Evans discussed the importance of staff members making connections with students, especially given the increase in students having or sharing suicidal thoughts since the onset of the pandemic (personal communication, July 19, 2022). "Each student needs an adult on campus that they can go to and talk to because many times they do not have that at home" (C. Evans, personal communication, July 19, 2022).

District Support: It is critical that key members in the district attend professional development related to this topic. Afterward and based on changing or new laws, they should provide training and update school policy and procedures regarding suicidal students. "Our district has a mental health team comprised of district police officers, LPCs, and psychologists" whose job is to stay up-to-date on current research, implement changes, train school counselors, and support campuses as needed (C. Evans, personal communication, July 19, 2022).

Best Practices:

"If or when a student shares they are having suicidal thoughts, thank and praise the student for sharing this information with you. It takes a lot of courage for a student to finally open up about having suicidal thoughts" (C. Evans, personal communication, July 19, 2022). Try to normalize mental health concerns to students and parents, so it is not taboo.
"[Let] the student know that you want them to be happy and safe, and that includes involving their parents so that we can all work as a team to get the student the help they need" (C. Evans, personal communication, July 19, 2022). Students tend to be scared or anxious about looping in their parents, so preparing the student rather than blindsiding them will facilitate that conversation.
Know your district's policy. "Our district has a very strategic plan on how to deal with students with suicidal thoughts. We administer the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to determine what level protocol [to follow for the student]. In all of the protocols, there are follow ups with the student and parents and contact with the student's Assistant Principal and teachers" (C. Evans, personal communication, July 19, 2022).

]]> 2022-07-18 23:04:04 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245653894 3. Professional Association marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654169 This is a webinar by Dr. Doreen S. Marshall, the Vice President of Mission Engagement for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She elaborates on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, lists steps for mental health support and suicide prevention, and provides resources (Marshall, 2021).

Reference

Marshall, D. S. (2021, September 21). Suicide and mental health prevention during COVID-19. American School Counselor Association. https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/suicide-prevention-and-mental-health-during-covid-19

]]> 2022-07-18 23:04:53 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654169 4. First News Article marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654379

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in students considering suicide and dying by suicide (Luciano, 2022).

As a result, educators have needed to present social emotional curriculum, identify warning signs, and work more with professionals (e.g. social workers).

There can be a lot of pressure in a school setting, and it is essential to not only recognize that but also provide students with healthy coping strategies.

Reference

Luciano, L. (2022, April 7).

Schools face rise in suicides during pandemic: "So many kids are hurting". CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/student-suicides-covid-pandemic-mental-health/

]]> 2022-07-18 23:05:31 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654379 5. Second News Article marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654418

"Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin — have enacted legislation around youth suicide prevention since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the Education Commission of the States, which tracks state education policies" (Modan, 2021, para. 1).

Legislation includes staff training, grants supporting mental health and prevention, and suicide prevention hotline information on student IDs (Modan, 2021).

"Students continue to report high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress as barriers to learning.
Districts also noted an increase in mental health needs for students when schools were first forced to close due to the pandemic in March 2020" (Modan, 2021, para. 5-6).

Reference
Modan, N. (2021, September 17). At least 9 states have adopted legislation around suicide prevention as districts invest in SEL. K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/at-least-9-states-have-adopted-legislation-around-suicide-prevention-as-dis/606719/

]]> 2022-07-18 23:05:39 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654418 6. Constitutional Law marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654635 Constitutional Law

Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (U.S. Const. amend. VIII)
Federal Link: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_States_of_America_1992
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted" (U.S. Const. amend. VIII).

Reference
U.S. Const. amend. VIII

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Texas Constitution Bill of Rights (Tex. Const. art. 1, § 21, added 1876)
State Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm
"Sec. 21. CORRUPTION OF BLOOD; FORFEITURE OF ESTATE; SUICIDES. No conviction shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture of estate, and the estates of those who destroy their own lives shall descend or vest as in case of natural death" (Tex. Const. art. 1, § 21, added 1876).

Reference
Tex. Const. art. 1, § 21 (1876)

]]> 2022-07-18 23:06:15 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654635 7. Statutory Law marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654689

Statutory Law

Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction (42 USC § 14401)

Federal Link: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter138&edition=prelim

It is against the law for healthcare services to perform assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing on patients.

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Required Information for Entering Students Regarding Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services (Tex. Educ. Code § 51.9194)
State Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.51.htm
Colleges and universities must provide information to all students about mental health and suicide prevention services and early warning signs through a live presentation or interactive, online program.

]]> 2022-07-18 23:06:26 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654689 8. Judicial Law marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654726

Judicial Law

(Taylor v. Barkes, 2015)

Federal Link: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/14-939_cpdh.pdf

The Supreme Court decided that there was no precedent that explicitly clearly established for those in jail to have the right to adequate suicide prevention protocols under the Eighth Amendment.

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Consent to Counseling (Tex. Family Code § 32.004)
State Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.32.htm#:~:text=(e)%20A%20parent%2C%20or,%2C%2074th%20Leg.%2C%20ch.
Texas Family Code states that a child can consent to counseling for suicide prevention. However, if a counselor, LPC, psychologist, or social worker believe is a child is thinking about suicide, they can counsel the child without the parents' consent.

]]> 2022-07-18 23:06:32 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654726 9. Administrative Law marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654789

Administrative Law

Federal Link: https://youth.gov/feature-article/preventing-suicide-toolkit-high-schools

"The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a new toolkit that is aimed at being part of a nationwide effort to help the one out of every fifteen high school students who attempt suicide each year" (Youth.gov, n.d., para. 1).

Reference
Youth.gov. (n.d.) Preventing suicide: A toolkit for high schools. https://youth.gov/feature-article/preventing-suicide-toolkit-high-schools

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Standards for Short-Term Detention Facilities (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 351.13)
State Link: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=37&pt=11&ch=351&rl=13
Texas Administrative Code states that juvenile detention facilities must develop a written suicide prevention plan with a mental health professional.

Reference
31 Tex. Admin. Code § 351.13 (2003)

]]> 2022-07-18 23:06:43 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654789 10. Local Administrative Policy marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654915

Local Administrative Policy

Link: https://texassuicideprevention.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Texas-Suicide-Safer-Schools-Implementation-Guide-Part-3-Assessment-and-Procedures-.pdf

This guide outlines how to assess and protocol to follow for students contemplating suicide.

Reference
SuicideSAFERSchools. (n.d.). Assessment procedures for the suicidal student. https://texassuicideprevention.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Texas-Suicide-Safer-Schools-Implementation-Guide-Part-3-Assessment-and-Procedures-.pdf

]]> 2022-07-18 23:07:08 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245654915 11. Ethical Principle marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245655027 The following American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards apply to school counselors in regard to suicide:

A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others
b. Recognize the level of suicide risk (e.g., low, medium, high) is difficult to accurately quantify. If required to use a risk assessment, it must be completed with the realization that it is an information-gathering tool and only one element in the risk-assessment process. When reporting risk-assessment results to parents/guardians, school counselors do not negate the risk of harm to self even if the assessment reveals a low risk, as students may minimize risk to avoid further scrutiny and/or parental/guardian notification. The purpose of reporting any risk-assessment results to parents/guardians is to underscore the need for parents/guardians to act, not to report a judgment of risk.

A.13. Student Records
f. Establish a reasonable timeline for purging sole-possession records or case notes. Suggested guidelines include shredding paper sole-possession records or deleting electronic sole-possession records when a student transitions to the next level, transfers to another school or graduates. School counselors do not destroy sole-possession records that may be needed by a court of law, such as notes on child abuse, suicide, sexual harassment or violence, without prior review and approval by school district legal counsel. School counselors follow district policies and procedures when contacting legal counsel.

A.16. Virtual/Distance School Counseling
g. Recognize the challenges in virtual/distance/hybrid settings of assisting students considering suicide, including but not limited to identifying their physical location, keeping them engaged on the call or device, contacting their parents/ guardians and getting help to their location.

Reference
American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf]]> 2022-07-18 23:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245655027 12. Personal Connection marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245655156 I value integrity; however, legal and ethical standards may not always align with what I may believe is the "right" solution. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and unfortunately, suicidal thoughts are one of many symptoms. There are other warning signs that loved ones, teachers, and friends may be able to observe as long as they are aware. Laws and code of ethics provide a way to ensure that there is proper protocol in place for students at risk of suicide. ]]> 2022-07-18 23:07:47 UTC https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245655156 13. Recommendations and Best Practices for Compliance marisawaybright https://padlet.com/marisawaybright/9busapfqyvybh1y0/wish/2245655307

Remain aware of laws and school/district policy

Remain up-to-date on school counseling professional associations and relevant professional development

In school:

Foster relationships with students
Facilitate peer connections in school
Create a welcoming environment
Teach social-emotional strategies
Partner with local universities and programs for trauma-focused professional development for staff and parents
Distribute resource guides to students and families (Modan, 2021).

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