· When a student expresses that they are having suicidal thoughts, do not leave the student alone until they are with their counselor or parents.

· If you are the school counselor, call the parent and tell them what is happening. 

· If a student is actively trying to commit suicide, call 911 if harm has occurred. 

An emerging issue that schools have to deal with is the addition of social media and online bullying. Self-image has become amplified with the access students have to phones and social media which has caused them to become critical of how they look and live. Because of unrealistic expectations seen online, students can feel bad about themselves or experience bullying from what they post. This connects to school counselors because they have to be knowledgeable of what social media can do for the mental health of a student. 

ASHAwebinars. (2015, July 28). Bullying Prevention and Suicide Prevention for Schools: A Digital Approach from SAMHSA. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAn5kxvGzfk

·This article is informative about the importance of conveying vital information that connects with suicide. Because bullying is a catalyst for suicide, telling the parents every detail of what is happening could have prevented this suicide. 

·Although the school counselor was not mentioned in this article, it is important for counselors to be involved in this process and working to combat bullying from the beginning.

Link: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/federal-appeals-court-lets-lawsuit-proceed-against-educators-in-students-suicide/2020/12

Walsh, M. (2021). Federal appeals court lets lawsuit proceed against educators in student’s suicide. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/federal-appeals-court-lets-lawsuit-proceed-against-educators-in-students-suicide/2020/12 

·The school counselor was not there so the principal called the police officer with the school and the officer took the student for a mental evaluation without waiting for the parent. The parent ended up suing and winning because of violation of the 14^th and 4^th amendments. 

·The officer appealed for qualified immunity because there was probable cause that the student was a danger to themselves. 

·This article is informative of suicide because it shows how important it is to take a student seriously when they say or hint at suicidal ideation. This officer knew that the student was thinking about or has thought about self-harm and acted in a way to help the student immediately.

Link: https://www.edweek.org/education/appeals-court-backs-police-officer-in-mental-evaluation-of-suicidal-student/2020/05

Walsh, M. (2020). Appeals Court Backs Police Officer in Mental Evaluation of Suicidal Student. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/education/appeals-court-backs-police-officer-in-mental-evaluation-of-suicidal-student/2020/05

·This includes assessment, treatment, and referral of any youth thought to be at harm for suicide. 

·The program should be integrated into the community and ensure proper training of staff involved. (42 USC § 290bb-36a, 1944)

Link: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section290bb-36a&num=0&edition=prelim 

Link: https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/2018/sjc-12329.html#:~:text=Massachusetts%20Institute%20of%20Technology,-Annotate%20this%20Case&text=The%20Supreme%20Judicial%20Court%20affirmed,the%20suicide%20of%20Plaintiff's%20son. 

·       Han Nguyen was a student at MIT who committed suicide. He was seeing health professionals outside of the university but stated he was not suicidal at that time despite previous attempts years before. 

·       Han Nguyen’s father tried to sue two professors and a student support dean for failing to act to prevent his son’s suicide. 

·       The highest court in Massachusetts rules that the university and its personnel were not at fault because they did not have knowledge of a stated plan from Han that he was going to commit suicide. 

·This officer will help with prevention and response to youth suicide of public-school students. 

·This is an important part of the Texas constitution because it helps TEA with guidance needed to prevent suicide in school districts all over Texas. When the state shows that preventing suicide is a priority for the state, school districts will follow their lead. 

7 Tex. Consti. § 533.040.C (1991)

Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.533.htm#533.040

·This administrative law says starting from the 2016 school year, school districts must provide suicide prevention training for new employees (19 TAC Chapter §153.1013a)

·This law is to continue for subsequent years in order to provide all new employees of the district suicide prevention training (19 TAC Chapter §153.1013b)

·It is important for employees at a school district to be knowledgeable about student suicide because they are the first line of preventing suicide. 
Link: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter153/ch153bb.html

Pearland ISD. (2021). Student code of conduct. Retrieved from https://www.pearlandisd.org/cms/lib/TX01918186/Centricity/shared/_district_documents/2020-21_Student-Code-of-conduct.pdf

This ethical standard connects to working with suicidal students because when a student expresses that they want to commit suicide, it is important to convey that information to their parent and guardian in an appropriate way which is through phone or in person. The delicacy of the situation requires confidentiality and using correct policy when reporting suicidal ideation. 

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

·Never leave a student alone after they have expressed they are having suicidal thoughts. 

·Communicate with parents and guardians about suicide via phone or in person. This will avoid confidentiality issues. 

·Have community resources ready for students and their families when suicide ideation is revealed. This will help them receive help outside of school and aide in response to suicide as required by the state of Texas. 

·Educate school staff on suicide prevention and legal requirements because they have a lot of time with students and may be told vital information.

·Always notify the proper personnel when a student has suicide ideation. This may include a school administrator, nurse, school counselor, or student support counselor.