Working with Suicidal Students by Taylor Cervantez https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow Legal & Ethical Principles en-us 2020-08-07 15:00:03 UTC 2021-07-18 02:11:27 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1 Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649472478 Working with Suicidal Students from the Prospective of a School Counselor for School Counselors

 I chose this topic because it is current, relevant area of concern for school counselors amid the ever-changing way of life COVID-19 has brought to schools and students.]]> 2021-07-14 13:48:31 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649472478 Slide #2 Interview: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649473082 I conducted an interview with Mrs. Sarah Gonzalez on July 13, 2021. Mrs. Gonzalez is a school counselor at Ozona Elementary School. Not only is she the school counselor for grades Pre-K through 5th grade, she is also a Diagnostician as well as the District 504 Coordinator. She views the topic of student suicide and mental health in general, to be something that is not discussed enough. With the rise in mental health disorders in students, schools need to be focusing on opening the lines of communication regarding mental health and suicide prevention. On her campus, she has seen students with thoughts of self-harm starting at a younger age largely as a result from the cyber-bullying and isolation due to the pandemic. The implementation of a vertically aligned, district wide prevention program, along with a new social-emotional learning curriculum, will be very beneficial this upcoming school year. She also stressed the importance of making sure all school district personnel are trained in the warning signs of suicide/self-harm and know what to do when an outcry is made. More often than not, the teachers are the first to see the signs, and if there is a trusting student-teacher relationship, most students will make the outcry to that teacher in some form. 

The newly passed requirement in Texas Education Code §29.906 requires the instruction of Positive Character Traits with students in grades K-12. Teaching these character traits, along with the socialization from returning to school, will hopefully help with student well-being and mental health. She mentioned that our school district would not be allowing virtual learning to be an option this year, unless specifically COVID-19 related; she hopes this too will help students adjust and we will see a decrease in our numbers of at-risk students. She encouraged me to stay informed of our districts decisisions regarding COVID-19 and work in collaboration with the staff to identify students who need intervention strategies as we return to school (S. Gonzalez, personal communication, July 13, 2021). 

Best Practices Recommendations for Working with Suicidal Students from Mrs. Gonzalez:
- Know the law and stay up-to-date on all information and legal requirements to be an effective resource for your school and community.
 - Know your school districts policies, procedures, and advocate for changes/updates as needed.
 - Refer to the School Counselor’s Code of Ethics and ask for assistance when needed.

Citation: S. Gonzalez, personal communication, July 13, 2021
]]> 2021-07-14 13:49:03 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649473082 Slide #3 Professional Association tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649473414 The American Counseling Association provides resources for educators, parents, and all stakeholders regarding suicide prevention, detection, and intervention. It provides online training as well as resources to use in practice with working with prevention and intervention of suicidal students. This site also offers current statistics and information to use with students, parents, educators, and for counselors.
Citation: American Counseling Association. (2021). Preventing Suicide is a Public Health Effort. ACA. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/suicide-prevention-month. ]]> 2021-07-14 13:49:20 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649473414 Slide #4 Current News Articles (three years or earlier): tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649473830 - Data from Children’s Hospital Association shows that the current state of students in need of support for self-harm is rapidly rising. In 2016, 2,555 children (ages 6 to 12) were seen at emergency rooms and/or in-patient treatment facilities. 2019 data for the same criteria reports 5,485 children were seen. 2020 data, while not complete at this time, project even higher numbers. 
- Causes of rise in numbers include COVID-19 related issues including loss of parents, loss of socialization, and increased anxiety and depression, rise in poverty, and younger exposure to social media/online bullying.
- Rise in numbers have brought awareness to youth mental health needs and forced schools to increase student access to school counselors.
-This article also provides information on recognizing signs of distress in young children/students.
Citation: Kingkade, T., & Chuck, E. (2021, April 12). Suicidal thoughts are increasing in young kids, experts say. It began before the pandemic. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suicidal-thoughts-are-increasing-young-kids-experts-say-it-began-n1263347. ]]> 2021-07-14 13:49:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649473830 Slide #5 Current News Articles (three years or earlier): tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649474688 - This article provides real stories of parents who have experienced loss of children due to suicide and the need for increased awareness, support, and resources for youth mental health.
- Pre-pandemic suicide rates were among teens were on the rise, yet these numbers have accelerated due to the pandemic.
- Research and experts show that even the smallest intervention, as simple as asking if someone is okay, can reduce the risk of suicide. Incorporating screener question, have you had suicidal thoughts, along with a follow-up has shown to cut the risk of suicide in half. These screener questions should be incorporated into the school setting. This, as well as increasing the accessibility to mental health providers and services needs to increase.
- This article explains how and what signs of crisis in children and teens are, and how these early signs, if left alone, will build and elevate the risk of suicide.
Citation: Wan, W. (2020, December 3). For months, he helped his son keep suicidal thoughts at bay. Then came the pandemic. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/23/covid-pandemic-rise-suicides/. ]]> 2021-07-14 13:50:24 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649474688 Slide #6 Original Sources of Law: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649477520 Constitutional Law: U.S. Code 42, Chapter 102 Mental Health Systems
- Congress requires each state to review and revise its mental health laws to ensure people "...receive the protection and services they require" 42 U.S. Code § 9501.
- The laws need to take President's Commission on Mental Health recommendations  into consideration when review and revising laws.
- 42 U.S. Code § 9501 outlines a person's rights to be guaranteed and the rights of refusal that are allowed. 
Citation: 42 U.S. Code § 9501]]> 2021-07-14 13:52:28 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649477520 Slide #7 Original Sources of Law: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649477856 Statutory Law: Texas Education Code, Chapter 38, Subchapter G. Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Youth Suicide
According to TEC Sec. 38.351,
schools are required to provide"...a list of recommended best practice-based programs and research-based practices" for "...suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention". The following are requirements of school districts per TEC Sec. 38.351:
- training for all school personnel
- recognize early warning signs and at-risk students
- intervene with parental notice and referral for services
- assist with student’s return to school
-provide activities to promote healing to reduce risk of suicide by one who was affected by suicide of another
Citation: Tex. Edu. Code §38.351]]> 2021-07-14 13:52:44 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649477856 Slide #8 Original Sources of Law: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649477967 Judicial Law
Nguyen v. MIT, 96 N.E.3d 128 (Mass. 2018)
- Court ruling found that University was not responsible for the graduate student’s death.
- Negligence was not found as there was not knowledge of student’s prior suicide attempts.
- While university was not found responsible, this court case has encourage universities to establish suicide protocols.
Citation: Nguyen v. MIT, 96 N.E.3d 128 (Mass. 2018) ]]> 2021-07-14 13:52:50 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649477967 Slide #9 Original Sources of Law: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649478084 Administrative Law: Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 302 Subchapter A
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Local Mental Health Authority and Local Behavioral Health Authority Responsibilities 
- Local mental health authorities are required under the Texas Administrative Code to provide training to educators.
- Training must provide educators with skills to assist in mental health crisis until professional help can be given. 
Citation: TAC §302.9 ]]> 2021-07-14 13:52:56 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649478084 Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649478615 According to CCCCSD Student handbook, the school board has adopted policies that include implementing "...programs to address the following mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse concerns..." that include “…Suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention (interventions after a suicide in a community)” (CCCCSD, 2020). These district wide implemented programs provide the school counselors with the resources and procedures to work with students who are suicidal or at-risk.
Citation: Crockett County Consolidated Common School District (CCCCSD). (2020). Student Handbook.Retrieved from https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1133092/2020-2021_Student_Handbook_and_Drug_Testing_Policy.pdf

 ]]> 2021-07-14 13:53:24 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649478615 Slide #11 Ethical Principle: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649478863  A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others (a):  School counselor's must "inform parents/guardians and/or appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others" (ASCA, 2019). Working with suicidal students is beyond a school counselor's scope and the student must be referred to an outside agency; therefore parents or guardians must be informed of the risk and provided with the appropriate referral information.
Citation: American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf. 

]]> 2021-07-14 13:53:36 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649478863 Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards: tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649479063 Personally, I was able to connect to legal and ethical standards from a school counselor’s view point. Knowledge and understanding of the legal and ethical requirements for a school counselor regarding working with students who are at-risk or are suicidal gives me the guidance and knowledge of how to proceed. I wish to continue my career as a school counselor and as self-harm and mental health in youth is a growing area of concern, it is imperative that I am fully prepared to know how to handle these situations as they arise. It is also imperative that all educators and school staff members be aware of the risks, warning signs, and protocols that their school district has in place. ]]> 2021-07-14 13:53:47 UTC https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649479063 Slide #13 Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance tbaker216 https://padlet.com/tbaker216/9hj13sqw9t09uvow/wish/1649479399 1) School counselors are required by law to provide suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services.
 2) Training for all educators is vital to suicide prevention and recognition.
 3) Suicide numbers have rapidly increased over the past years, and the trend is continuing in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 
 4) American School Counselor Association’s Ethical Standards for School Counselors defines the requirements for school counselors regarding self-harm. 
 5) It is vital to have clear policies and procedures set in place from school administrators and in school policy. It is the duty of the school counselor to advocate for appropriate policies.
6) Stay informed of current legislature regarding Youth Mental Health and suicide.
 7) Use of suicide prevention resources provided by Texas Education Agency and The American Counseling Association is crucial for successful prevention, intervention, trainings, and information sharing with educators, students, and parents.
 
 

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