Working with Suicidal Students at YHS by suellen lumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az ASU Edg 6305 Legal & Ethical Guide Padlet en-us 2019-12-03 22:37:59 UTC 2019-12-09 06:12:24 UTC hello@padlet.com #1 My Professional Prospective slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419372125 My professional perspective is of a High School Lead Counselor. This legal guide may be used by high school counselors as a resource when working with suicidal students. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people 10 to 34 years of age (CDC, 2019). I selected this topic because with suicide occurring so frequently, high school counselors are likely to encounter suicidal students; therefore, high school counselors must be prepared to address this form of crisis.
Reference:
Preventing Suicide |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC. (2019, September 5). Retrieved December 4, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/fastfact.html.]]> 2019-12-03 22:39:43 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419372125 #2 Professional Interview slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419381165 I interviewed Melissa Shelton,  Lead Counselor at Yoe High School.
Why is Suicide Training Important to High School Counselors
Mrs. Shelton explained that knowing what to do when working with suicidal students is essential. She shared that she has had to deal with numerous students in her profession who expressed suicidal ideation. Mrs. Shelton expressed that suicide is a serious and preventable health problem; therefore, it is imperative to prepare counselors and educators with the necessary training and skills to identify suicidal students. School counselors are often the first line of defense when it comes to working with suicidal students, and some counselors may not know what to do.
Best Practices When Working with Suicidal Students
Mrs. Shelton highlighted what she considered three best practices when it comes to  working with suicidal students:
1. Talk to the student privately and allow the student to express themselves freely, stay calm and take the students plea for help seriously.
2. Don't be afraid to ask if the student has a plan. If the student does have a plan do not leave the student alone.
3. Inform the principal and contact the parents. Communication is key when working with a suicidal student. Your principal is on your side and will help you with the situation.
Emerging Issues
High school counselors are often the first line of defense when it comes to students who are seeking help. In order for counselors to achieve their ethical obligation to protect students, school counselors must review court decisions and stay current on professional development.  
(M. Shelton, personal communication, December 2, 2019)]]> 2019-12-03 23:15:35 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419381165 #3 Professional Association slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419955926 ASCA Student Suicide:
Legal and Ethical Implications
This resource was a helpful perspective on the legal implications, requirements and ethical norms when it comes to working with suicidal students. The article takes a close look at the legal and ethical implications of Eisel vs. Board of Education of Montgomery County case. The article also looks at the legal and ethical implications of Post-Eisel Negligence Case Law with Tort Immunity. The article does a great job in breaking down the legal and ethical implications for counselors while also providing important information on how to stay within your legal and ethical requirements. 
Reference: 
Stone, C., & Zirkel, P. (2012, May 1). Student Suicide: Legal and Ethical Implications. Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2012/student-suicide-legal-and-ethical-implications.]]> 2019-12-04 21:50:35 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419955926 #4 Current News Article slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419956511 Mother sues school district for failing to notify family of daughter's suicide plan
A mother is suing a school district in California, after her 12-year-old daughter took her own life (Yuccas, 2019). The mother alleges that her daughters friend alerted a teacher, who shared the suicide threat with the principal and vice principal. The counselor met with Madison and promised to follow up but didn't. The counselor also failed to notify the parents. The counselor was in direct violation of the schools suicide prevention policy.
Reference:
Yuccas, J. (2019, December 5). Mother sues school district for failing to notify family of daughter's suicide plan. Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mother-sues-yuba-city-unified-school-district-for-failing-to-notify-family-of-daughters-suicide-plan-2019-12-06/.]]> 2019-12-04 21:52:04 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419956511 #5 Current News Article slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419956589 Suicide attempts among black children and teens increasing at alarming rates
Suicide attempts among black teens are increasing and self-reported suicide attempts for black adolescents rose by 73% (Runcie, 2019). Lindsey states that black students are engaging in higher rates of attempts of suicide (Runcie, 2019). The study points to possible adverse childhood experiences. Lindsey hypothesizes increased exposure to racism and the need for greater access to mental health care in the black community (Runcie, 2019).
Reference:
Runcie, A. (2019, October 14). Suicide attempts among black children and teens increasing at alarming rates, study finds. Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suicide-attempts-increasing-among-black-children-and-teens/.]]> 2019-12-04 21:52:18 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419956589 #6 Original Law slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419956728 State Administrative Law:
According to the Texas Education Code, school districts and their employees are responsible for addressing student suicide. Each school district’s district improvement plan must include suicide prevention programs (TEC §11.252(a)(3)(B). 
Reference:
District Level Planning and Decision Making, TEC §11.252(a)(3)(B).



]]> 2019-12-04 21:52:43 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419956728 #7 Original Law slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957057 State Administrative Law:
School counselors are responsible for participating in the 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 committing suicide (TEC § 33.006(B).
Reference:
School Counselors; General Duties, TEC § 33.006(B).]]> 2019-12-04 21:53:41 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957057 #8 Original Law slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957121 Administrative Law:
The American School Counselor Association’s ethical standards for counselors state that counselors must inform parents/guardians and/or appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others (ASCA, 2016). 
Reference:
American School Counselor Association. Ethical Standards for School Counselors. American 
School Counselor Association, (2016) Web. 1 December 2019. https://blackboard.angelo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2153981-dt-content-rid-
17064163_2/courses/12903.202010/12903.202010_ImportedContent_20190715020935/EthicalStandards2016.pdf
]]> 2019-12-04 21:53:50 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957121 #9 Original Law slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957201 Judicial Law:
A thirteen year old female student died in a suicide pact with another student. The father sued the school district arguing that the special relationship that his daughter had with two of the school counselors obligated the counselors to report his daughters suicidal ideations to him and his wife. The lower court determined that the school counselors were not liable for the student’s death.(Eisel vs. Board of Education of Montgomery County, 1991).  Eisel v. Board of Education, 324 Md. 376
Reference:
Eisel v. Board of Education, 324 Md. 376]]> 2019-12-04 21:54:03 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957201 #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957305 Yoe High School is committed to partnering with parents to support the healthy mental, emotional, and behavioral development of its students(YHS, 19).Yoe High School has listed the Texas Suicide Prevention website and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number as resources for concerned parents or students. Yoe High School currently does not have a policy to deal with suicidal students. 
Reference:
YHS Student Handbook 2019-2020. (19AD, August 12). Retrieved December 8, 2019, from http://www.cameronisd.net/page/yhs.Home.]]> 2019-12-04 21:54:19 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957305 #11 Ethical Principle slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957484 It is the school counselor’s ethical and moral responsibility to report suspected suicide
risk to legal guardians and the appropriate authorities. In acknowledging suspected suicide risk, school counselors exercise reasonable care to protect students from unforeseeable harm (ASCA, 2016).
Reference:
American School Counselor Association. Ethical Standards for School Counselors. American 
School Counselor Association, (2016) Web. 1 December 2019. https://blackboard.angelo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2153981-dt-content-rid-
17064163_2/courses/12903.202010/12903.202010_ImportedContent_20190715020935/EthicalStandards2016.pdf]]> 2019-12-04 21:54:50 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957484 #12 Non-Law Source slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957646 Model School District Policy
on Suicide Prevention:
Model Language, Commentary,
and Resources
This document outlines model policies and best practices for school districts to follow to protect the health and safety of all students (Moutier, et al., 2019). The document was developed through the examination of strong local policies and in line with the latest research in the field of suicide prevention, and identifying best practices for a national framework. This resource had four contributing groups which included the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American School Counselor Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and The Trevor Project. 
Reference:
Moutier, C., Marshall, D. S., Gibson, N., Cook, J., Strobach, K. V., & Brinton, S. (2019, October 22). Model School Policy on Suicide Prevention. Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://afsp.org/our-work/education/model-school-policy-suicide-prevention/.

]]> 2019-12-04 21:55:17 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957646 #13 Recommendations slumbreras https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957718 The following are best practices when working with suicidal students:
  • Talk to the student in private.
  • Remain calm and stay in control.
  • Take the student’s disclosure as a serious plea for help.
  • Ask the student directly about feelings and plans.
  • Express care and concern, and assure the student that you will help her/him reach a professional.
  • If the student has a plan do not leave the student alone.
  • Notify the parent and refer the student who demonstrates signs of suicidal thoughts to local community agencies.  
  • Follow up with the student in the form of phone calls and counseling sessions. 
Reference:
About Suicide. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2019, from https://classroommentalhealth.org/common-concerns/suicide/.
]]> 2019-12-04 21:55:30 UTC https://padlet.com/slumbreras/epgbiseys6az/wish/419957718