https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x en-us 2021-08-22 20:50:35 UTC 2024-06-06 10:02:09 UTC hello@padlet.com letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689720300 From the perspective of a school counselor at the middle or high school level, it is evident that mental and emotional health has taken a toll on many students over the years. Due to the rise in mental health concerns among adolescents, it is more common for students to suffer from suicidal tendencies or thoughts. It is vital to further equip school counselors for when these instances occur. Therefore, the purpose of this Padlet is to inform school counselors on how to best work with suicidal students to prevent suicides from happening at their campuses. I chose this topic because I have personally lost a friend from suicide recently and want to ensure that in my future role as a school counselor, I can assist in preventing this from happening. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:54:37 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689720300 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689720622 This specific topic is important for school counselors to truly understand because it is affecting education at a rapid pace. Mental and emotional concerns are growing amongst students causing suicidal tendencies and thoughts to be more common. It is a sensitive issue and as leaders on campus regarding mental and emotional health, school counselors must be aware of best practices and legal and ethical guidelines surrounding it.

To better understand the scope of suicidal students and best practices in relation, I interviewed Tori Talbert, a school counselor at Wester Middle School in Frisco, Tx. Ms. Talbert has been fortunate to not work with any students who have been successful in acting upon their suicidal thoughts, but has worked with many students who have considered themselves to be suicidal. She mentioned that over the past few years she has noticed an increase in social media and cyberbullying which is increasing student's suicidal tendencies (T. Talbert, personal communication, September 3rd, 2021). This is a large area of concern moving forward as social media continues to grow and dominate the social aspects of adolescence. Educators alike must be aware and cautious of the impact social media can have on adolescent's mental and emotional health because this affects them socially and academically.

Now, when a school counselor discovers that a student is considering suicide, they should contact the parent or guardian about the suspected suicide risk. Once in contact and an evaluation of the risk is completed, school counselors should provide appropriate information or referrals (T. Talbert, personal communication, September 3rd, 2021). Additionally, because school counselors have the unique opportunity to build relationships with students and staff, they have the knowledge, resources, and information to discuss suicide signs and prevention measures to lower the risk. These are all examples of best practices for school counselors when considering student suicide. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:55:20 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689720622 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689720829 The American School Counselor Association offers an abundance of information regarding a school counselor's role in student suicide. This specific link is similar to a blog post where the two authors discuss the legal and ethical implications of student suicide. The authors analyze a few court cases in relation to school counselors and student suicide and whether or not school counselors can be held liable (Stone & Zirkel, 2012). It is a great reference for school counselors to keep on hand to better interpret certain scenarios and their roles. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689720829 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721116 This article emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health especially considering the ongoing pandemic. It points out the critical impact partnerships, suicide prevention training, and mental health initiatives can have on a school's culture as well as how these items can lessen the potential risk of suicide (Modan, 2021).  ]]> 2021-08-22 20:56:50 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721116 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721222 This article addresses the rapid increase of mental health concerns among adolescents and the effects it has on many students' ability to learn. It demonstrates the need for more social-emotional learning for students to prepare them better for their academics (Modan, 2021). School counselors are the people who should be taking the lead and initiative on this. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:57:13 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721222 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721454 According to the Texas Education Code, the school counselor shall participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive developmental guidance program to serve all students (TEC § 33.006(a)). Within that, they must address the special needs of students who are at risk of dropping out of school, becoming substance abusers, participating in gang activity, or committing suicide (TEC § 33.006(b)). ]]> 2021-08-22 20:58:02 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721454 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721511 Within the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, all people are given the right to freedom of speech (U.S. Const. amend. 1). Although individuals are afforded this right (within the context of school and minors), there are consequences to freedom of speech within this specific context. For example, if students are discussing plans for suicide, school counselors are required to intervene. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:58:16 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721511 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721665 Within the Texas Administrative Code, it requires all new school district personnel to have suicide prevention training which is important to ensure student safety (19 TAC § 153.1013). ]]> 2021-08-22 20:58:35 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721665 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721747 In Rogers vs. Christina School District, a school counselor was found responsible for a student's suicide after not reporting the student's suicidal thoughts/ideation to the parent/guardians. The school counselor decided that the student was not at risk of harming himself after talking to him after a few hours. The student went home and hung himself (Rogers vs. Christina School District, 2013). Ultimately, the school counselor was found to be negligent. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:58:49 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721747 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721877 Frisco ISD offers specific examples of suicidal cues for stakeholders to look out for and report. Once reported, school counselors are expected to intervene, and oftentimes a crisis response is needed which requires parental notification and a referral (Frisco ISD, 2021). ]]> 2021-08-22 20:59:21 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721877 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721971 In code A.9d of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards, it states that school counselors are required to report to parents/guardians when a student discloses information about a risk of harm to themselves (ASCA, 2016). This includes talk about suicide ideation or suicidal thoughts which is one of the exceptions of confidentiality between counselor and student. ]]> 2021-08-22 20:59:42 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689721971 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689722209 I now understand the impact many of the laws regarding suicide have had on my education. For example, when I was in middle school a friend told me about how she had a plan to kill herself. I immediately went and told our school counselor who brought her in and told her parents just as she is supposed to do according to code A.9d of the ASCA Ethical Standards (ASCA, 2016). This resulted in my friend getting additional help and support from a therapist and has since lived a great life. This moment in my education encouraged me to become a school counselor because my middle school counselor was able to get my friend the help she needed and ultimately prevented a possible suicide attempt. I want to do the same thing for others!]]> 2021-08-22 21:00:15 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689722209 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689722452 1. Report all suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation to the parent/guardian. 
2. Offer referrals for additional support. 
3. Lean on the side of caution when there is a risk of suicide. 
4. Use a risk assessment to determine if a student is at risk of a suicide attempt. 
5. Do not minimize the risk of suicide to those involved or those who are on a need-to-know basis because it must be taken seriously. 
6. Advocate for suicide prevention programs at school to promote more awareness. 
7. Incorporate suicide ideation thoughts or cues on posters to put throughout the school, located within parent handouts, or within school newsletters to enhance the awareness of suicide and foundational knowledge. This can also encourage reporting it. ]]> 2021-08-22 21:01:01 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1689722452 letter7 https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1748770135 American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

Frisco ISD. (2021). Suicide Intervention. Frisco Independent School District - Home. Retrieved September 11, 2021, from http://www.friscoisd.org/departments/guidance-and-counseling/counseling-resources/suicide.

Modan, N. (2021, April 15). How can ed leaders prioritize student mental health in school reopenings? K. https://www.k12dive.com/news/how-can-ed-leaders-prioritize-student-mental-health-in-school-reopenings/598417/.

Modan, N. (2021, August 12). More students reporting poor mental health as a barrier to Learning, suggest SEL support is waning. https://www.k12dive.com/news/more-students-reporting-poor-mental-health-as-barrier-to-learning-suggest/604854/.

Rogers vs. Christina School District, No. 45 (2013).

Stone, C., & Zirkel, P. (2012). The school counselor and suicide risk assessment. The School Counselor and Suicide Risk Assessment - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Suicide-Risk-Assessment.

Suicide Prevention Training, 19. Tex. Admin. Code § 153.1013

Tex. Education Code § 33.006 (a) and (b).

 U.S. Const. amend. 1. ]]> 2021-09-17 14:01:54 UTC https://padlet.com/letter7/i3x3t3yeqq7jw91x/wish/1748770135