What is the Legal Guide for Suicide? by Rebekah Kneupper https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide en-us 2021-09-15 02:08:52 UTC 2024-12-17 06:46:45 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1 Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741293744 As a Middle School Counselor, suicide is becoming more and more of a concern at the middle school level. It is imperative that teachers and administrators have the tools they need to recognize signs of suicide and to address our obligations as educators.



]]> 2021-09-15 02:14:49 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741293744 Slide #2 Interview rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741295044 Kelly Warner and I discussed how suicide is impacting counseling and the legal as well as ethical parameters (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). Warner said, it is our ethical responsibility as educators and adults, to help prevent suicide, the responsibility does not just land on the counselors  (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). As a counselor or anyone who works in education, it is important to be knowledgeable about suicide to help a client/student to the best of our abilities. Being knowledgeable about suicide includes, knowing the myths surrounding suicide and understanding the most up to date suicide interventions  (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). 
Warner said, that there are guidelines to follow for attempted suicide or thoughts of suicide, each state creates its guidelines to follow. Duty to warn is the responsibility of a counselor to inform parents, third parties, or authorities if a client/student poses a threat to themselves or another person. It's best to always tell the client your confidentiality stops at "harm yourself or others"(K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). This is one of the few instances where a counselor can breach client confidentiality. It is also the responsibility of the teacher or adults in education to report instances of suicide attempts or thoughts/speaking about suicide. 
Suicide is impacting school counseling, even more in the last two years than it has in the past. Warner stated that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, suicide and depression rates have gone up, astronomically. Also, recently, suicide became the 2nd, rather than 3rd, leading cause of death in people ages 10-24 (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021).  
Often at school, students build different relationships with adults, this often leads to students opening up more than they might with their parents (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). Training teachers and staff is essential, for understanding and teaching what to do if they encounter a student who is thinking of suicide. The best practice for counseling a client/student who is thinking of suicide or attempted suicide is to ask the 4 questions: thoughts, plans, means, timeframe (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). Warner said to help the client find a purpose, don't tell them it will be ok; we don't know that (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). Be kind and compassionate, reaffirm the client/student and focus on strengths. Often the client feels like a burden to those around them, remember the purpose is essential to determining the root issue (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021).
To remain current on suicide Mrs. Warner is connected to many organizations that send suicide information through email newsletters, or articles. She also follows the American Suicide Prevention Association as well as attends virtual conferences that focus on suicide and suicide prevention.  There is a lot of emerging information on suicide awareness and prevention. Unfortunately, we still battle the stigma frequently that talking about suicide causes suicide (K. Warner, personal communication, September 2, 2021). 

Kelly Warner, M.S. LPC
Smith Middle School Counselor
https://www.c-isd.com/domain/285

]]> 2021-09-15 02:15:18 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741295044 Slide #3 Professional Association rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741295959 The American Association of Suicidology is a group that includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center volunteers, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of lay persons who have in interest in suicide prevention  (American Association of Suicidology, 2019) . On their website they provide many resources. One that stand out to be beneficial as a school counselor is the Warning Signs Poster. The poster provides valuable information about warning signs someone might exhibit if considering suicide as well as providing information to someone who is considering suicide. The poster also gives many options to call or text a hotline for help. Counselors could post this poster around school as well as educate teacher on what to look for.

American Association of Suicidology. (2019, July 30). Warning signs. American Association of Suicidology. Retrieved September 17, 2021, from https://suicidology.org/resources/warning-signs/. 
]]> 2021-09-15 02:15:40 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741295959 Slide #4 Current News Articles rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741297312
  • The elevated risks that contributed to suicide was social isolation, barriers to care, assess to leathal means, and personal and economic loss
  • Schools must recognize warning signs, provide preventative services, link kids to care, provide comprehensive suicide prevention programs and facilitate social connection. 
  • Currently, no data provides evidence, that suicide deaths have increased during covid. 
  • The media is inaccurately reporting rates of suicide increasing due to remote learning.
  • The warning signs are talking about wanting to die, looking for a way to kill yourself, talking about feeling hopeless, talking about having no purpose, feeling trapped, feeling that you are a burden to others, and an increase in alcohol and drug use. 
  • Solutions that can be provided by schools include prioritizing connections with and between students, allowing non-academic time during remote learning, integrating social and emotional learning into student and professional development curriculum, using multiple methods i.e. email, phone text video conferencing and home visits to reach students.
  • Educators should learn warning signs and risk factors, if a student exhibits warning signs or risk factors do not leave the person alone, remove drugs, alcohol, firearms, and sharp objects, call the hotline, or go to the emergency room. 
    • Marraccini, M. E. (2021, March 31). What We Know About Suicide During the Pandemic (and What We Don’t). Education Week. 

    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:16:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741297312     Slide #5 Current News Articles rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741298276
  • The pandemic caused social isolation, family financial instability, and the death of loved ones.
  • Black, Latino, and Asian families were disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
  • Establishing relationships with peers was harder to achieve during remote learning.
  • Social media and smartphone use allowed new avenues for bullying.
  • Being out of the social setting helped some students because they were out of the school setting where bullying occurred.
  • Counseling students and helping with issues was more difficult during remote learning,
  • Noticing warning signs of suicide i.e. giving away possess, talking about wanting to kill themselves, and talking about being gone was unnoticed.  
  • Risk factors i.e. mood disorders, substance abuse, loss of loved ones, and exposure to suicide also went unnoticed.
  • To help the situation school should make staff accessible during the summer months, enlist students to help with suicide prevention activities, take care to not inadvertently romanticize suicide (sometimes at funerals, statements about death seem better than life).
  • Provide resources to parents 
  • Call the suicide hotline

    • Prothero , A. (2020, June 19). ‘A Punch to the Gut': Dealing with Suicide in a Pandemic. Education Week. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-punch-to-the-gut-dealing-with-suicide-in-a-pandemic/2020/06. 



    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:16:25 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741298276     Slide #6 Statutory Law rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741299749
    School Counselors and Counseling Programs, 2 Tex. Edu. Code § 33.006


    https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.33.htm#33.006

    • School counselors plan and implement guidance programs for all students
    • Guidance programs must address the needs of all students
    • Special needs of students include:
      • Risk of dropping out of school
      • Risk of becoming substance abusers
      • Risk of participating in gang activities
      • Risk of committing suicide
    • Guidance programs must be taught to accommodate all learning styles or those who need modifications

    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:17:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741299749     Slide #7 Judicial Law rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741300708 Tang v. Harvard College et al. 2019

    • Review policies, such as counseling services, and privacy issues.
    • Update surveys for needs assessments to include appropriately tailored questions about suicide risk.
    • Implement an authorization form that provides school counselors with the flexibility to share information with other school administrators and the student’s parents on a need-to-know basis.
    • Review and update suicide prevention and response protocols consistent with medical recommendations and best practices.

    Fay, S. H., & Stones, L. D. (2019). Legal updates. Schwartz Hannum PC. Retrieved September 19, 2021, from http://www.shpclaw.com/court-addresses-scope-of-schools-duty-to-prevent-student-suicide?p=11399. 
    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:17:24 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741300708     Slide #8 Constitutional Law rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741301316 (US Const. Amend. XIV).

    • No Child in the state of Texas can be denied equal access to school:
      • Including Children with disabilities, LBGTQ, homeless, foster care, etc.

    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:17:39 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741301316     Slide #9 Original Sources of Law rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741301913 (19 TAC §.239.15(c)(2))

    • Provide proactive programs based on students needs
    • Develop school counseling programs based on student needs
    • Develop counseling programs that meet the educational, social, personal, and career development needs of students.

    • Align programs to the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Ccuneling Programs


    Educators’ Code of Ethics, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 239.15(c)(2).



    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:17:51 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741301913     Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741303014 Cleburne ISD will provide an annual suicide prevention curriculum to all students, per recommendations provided by TEA and Region Eleven Education Service Center. TEC Section 11.252 (3)(B) (i), requires that districts must address student needs for suicide prevention 2 TEC § 11.252 (3)(b)(i).

    Suicide intervention, prevention, and postvention are essential in all schools. It is critical for all staff members to understand suicide to ensure our student's needs are being addressed as the needs arise. Cleburne ISD implements appropriate suicide prevention programs throughout the district at each level of grade level to meet the requirements of TEA. 

    Cleburne ISD. (2018). Counseling & guidance / Counseling Resources. Counseling & Guidance / Counseling Resources. Retrieved September 19, 2021, from https://www.c-isd.com/Page/1027. 

    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:18:15 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741303014     Slide #11 Ethical Principle rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741303850 A lack of confidentiality can interfere with the counseling relationship. Often students will be reluctant to disclose information in a counseling session, if they know that parents will eventually find out what was discussed. To promote trust with the students in counseling, many counselors tell students the limitations of counseling so students have an understanding each time they meet. Confidentiality in some circumstances, must be broken. The most common scenario when counselors must break confidentiality is when a student is a threat to himself/herself or others. In these cases a counselor must notify a parent/guaridan who can keep the student safe. 

    A.2.E. Keep information confidential unless legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed or a breach is required to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to the student. Serious and foreseeable harm is different for each minor in schools and is determined by students’ developmental and chronological age, the setting, parental rights and the nature of the harm. School counselors consult with appropriate professionals when in doubt as to the validity of an exception (American School Counselor Association, 2016).

    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf 


    ]]>     2021-09-15 02:18:36 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741303850     Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741304731 As a school counselor, it is essential that I know and understand the laws surrounding education as well as the laws that apply to suicide. Suicide is rising across schools in the United States. When a student attempts or has thoughts about suicide is imperative that I follow the laws for confidentiality, to ensure the student is safe. It is also my duty to provide preventative programs to students and inform teachers and staff how to respond in a situation that involves suicide. As well as to make sure teachers, administrators and parents have the information and resources they need to help a student who is thinking about suicide or attempted suicide.]]> 2021-09-15 02:18:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741304731 Slide #13 Bulleted list of Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741305444
  • Update student needs assessment to include suicide.
  • Review suicide prevention and response protocols.
  • Implement prevention programs in the school guidance curriculum.
  • Identify mental health resources available on and off-campus and advise students and their families of these resources.
  • Review mental health and wellness curriculum for students.
  • Provide professional development programming for school employees on how to talk about mental health issues, including suicide.
  • Educate the entire community about best practices with respect to suicide prevention and response, relevant resources, policies, practices, and other relevant information.


    • ]]>     2021-09-15 02:19:15 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1741305444     Slide #14 References rkneupper1 https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1751916625 2021-09-19 15:42:17 UTC https://padlet.com/rkneupper1/LegalGuide/wish/1751916625