·   Do not leave students alone or send them back to class if they are at-risk of committing suicide 

·  Keep a paper and electronic copy of your communication log with parents make sure the date, time, and reason for the call are included. 

·  If a parent refuses to seek professional help due to lack of proof, have them formally decline in writing.

·  Offer suicide trainings to the school staff and keep a log of dates trainings were offered. 

·  Have referral and contact information posted throughout the school and inform students and staff of the posters

·  Read and keep on file the district’s policy due process on suicide to ensure compliance 

· Keep an electronic copy of all student visits the log should include: Student ID number, date, time, purpose of visit, and resolution. 

This law outlines the requirements of each district improvement plan for student performance. The law requires each district to create an environment for students to reach their full potential which include suicide prevention programs. This law would help reduce student suicide rates by providing teacher, counselors, and administrators with tools and systems to help at-risk students. 

 

This case was brought before the Massachusetts supreme court because a student at MIT committed suicide and his parents accused the school of negligence. The court found the university was not negligent because the student refused mental health services. 

This section outlines the role of the school counselor in ensuring all students academic success including students on drugs, in gangs, and students at risk of committing suicide. 

·  Many public schools in America have police but no nurse, social worker, or psychologist. 

· Middle school students are now more likely to die from suicide than traffic accident 

·  Some factors that affect student mental health are bullying, stress, drug abuse, and academic performance. 

·  Many schools are struggling to hire enough mental health professional to met the needs of their student population

Harper, A. (2019). Denver schools face push for fewer cops, more counselors. Education Dive. Retrieved from: 

· Suicide is second major cause of death of adolescents between the age of 10-19 

· Schools must respond correctly after a suicide by not glamorizing the death

· School can prevent student suicide by creating a warm and welcoming environment and educating staff 

· School counselors need to provide students with strategies for dealing with depression and anxiety 

Stark, L. (2018). Suicides are on the rise. Here’s how schools can help. Education Week. Retrieved from:
https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2018/12/suicides_continue_to_increase_how_schools_can_help.html

·   Keep Documentation 

·  Always contact a parent or legal or guardian 

·  Make sure students and staff know how to contact you 
3. Educators should be mindful of parents who  decline additional therapy. Parents of students who constantly threaten to commit suicide become exhausted and immune to the students threats.  Educators should be aware of the referral process in their district and make sure they keep documentation of  parent contact.  If a  constantly parent refuses services, school counselor may have to escalate the issue. The interviewee does attend multiple training's throughout the year on suicide and other issues. 
4. Cornesha Johnson Crowley I.S.D. 
https://www.crowleyisdtx.org/Page/777

Stone, C. & Zirkel, P. (2012). Student Suicide: Legal and ethical implications. ASCA school counselor. Retrieved from:  https://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2012/student-suicide-legal-and-ethical-implications