School Counselor's Role in Suicide Prevention by Roni Waller https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50 Made with mirth en-us 2019-07-16 19:29:18 UTC 2026-02-20 10:37:25 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide 1: My Professional Perspective rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371350906
My professional perspective is from working as a Pre-k through 12 school counselor for one semester.  I was formerly an elementary and middle school teacher for fourteen years.  This Legal Guide Padlet is a resource guide for school counselors in order to help them understand their role in suicide prevention.  I chose this topic because it was the most important issue I faced in my school counselor role, and I had limited knowledge of my roles and responsibilities.  After speaking with other school counselors in neighboring districts, I soon realized that suicidal ideation was a growing problem with our youth.  

]]> 2019-07-16 19:35:25 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371350906 Slide 2: Interview rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371351248 I spoke with Honey Ratcliff, the current elementary school counselor at Big Sandy ISD.  

Why Suicide Prevention is Important to School Counselors

Mrs. Ratcliff discussed the importance of suicide prevention strategies because it is a huge contributor to student safety. Mrs. Ratcliff became a school counselor in 2013, over the past several years, she has encountered more students dealing with suicidal ideation. Being familiar with small, rural school districts, she believes that many students copycat the behaviors of their peers due to the close knit community.  This is a real concern and regardless of our skepticism on the genuineness of these threats, we must err on the side of caution.

Best Practices for Suicide Prevention

According to Mrs. Ratcliff, there are three best practices for school counselors to consider when practicing suicide prevention:
  1.  Suicide prevention trainings for teachers and staff should occur more than once a year.  Multiple trainings provide opportunities for conversation, questions, and strategies for suicide prevention.
  2. Suicide prevention strategies should begin in elementary school; teaching students coping skills and self-regulation skills that will better equip them for dealing with the changing dynamics in adolescence.
  3. School counselors should be proactive in ensuring that students, teachers, parents, and staff have easily accessible resources and protocols to address the issues of suicide.

Emerging Issues

Adolescent suicide is on the rise. Due to the stigma that is often attached with mental health conditions, many teens that struggle, do not speak up about the challenges they face.   Due to the recent school shootings, more emphasis has been placed on mental health awareness in the schools. Topics during the legislative session included suicide prevention trainings to be added to the professional development requirements for teachers, principals, counselors, and staff.  School counselors will be looking into the new legislative changes that will occur regarding school safety and the implementation of suicide prevention strategies.

(H. Ratcliff, personal communication, July 11, 2019).

]]> 2019-07-16 19:39:17 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371351248 Slide 3: ASCA Professional Association Statement Related to the School Counselor and Suicide/Prevention Awareness rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371351632 The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) released a position statement that was adopted in 2018, stating that school counselors work to identify behavioral and social/emotional signs of suicide risk and ensure prevention methods are in place. ASCA identified the roles of the school counselor in regards to suicide prevention. 

This resource is beneficial because it highlights the important duties a school counselor holds in regards to suicide prevention. School counselors are to notify parents/guardians immediately upon first notice of suicidal intentions, regardless of how the information was received.  School counselors are to report to CPS if parents do not take the threat seriously.  School counselors are to provide staff with training and resources to raise awareness of suicide and suicidal ideation.

American School Counselor Association. (2019). The school counselor and suicide prevention awareness. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_Suicide.pdf

]]> 2019-07-16 19:44:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371351632 Slide 4: Current News Article rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371351885 This article discussed the overwhelming rise in adolescent suicide over the past 20 years.  In teens aged 15 to 19, suicide is the second leading cause of death.  The articles contributes the rise to the increased use of cellphones and social media amongst teens.  There are reports that indicate suicide occurs more often during the school year. Cyberbullying  is amongst the top contributors to teen suicide. The article addresses other contributing factors such as stress and anxiety from school work, testing, family problems, depression, and substance abuse.  
According to the article, mental health has become a school safety issue.  The article mentions several supports that can be put in practice to help prevent suicide. Preventative measures include teacher trainings to recognize signs and behaviors of students experiencing mental health issues.  The availability of mental health resources to both students and staff is also another proactive support.  Strengthening relationships amongst peers and with teachers provides additional support that is also mentioned in this article.  Overall, each school district should research best practices and implement policies that works best for their campus. 


Harper, A. (2019, June). Report: Adolescent suicide rate hits 20-year high. Education Dive. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/report-adolescent-suicide-rate-hits-20-year-high/557262/


]]> 2019-07-16 19:48:40 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371351885 Slide 5: Current News Article rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352050 This article focuses on some of the major topics discussed during this year’s legislative session.  Teacher compensation, teacher certification requirements, reassessment of the duties of a school resource officer (SRO), and school safety were all topics of heavy interest.  
The focus on school safety issues included such topics as drills, emergency protocols, and addressing and providing resources for mental health issues. Texas districts will be required to provide teacher and school staff training in mental health awareness, suicide awareness, and suicide prevention.  
According to this article, the legislative session highly emphasized promoting and supporting student’s mental health needs.

Modan, N. (2019, June). The 50 states of education policy: What state legislatures tackled in their 2019 sessions. Education Dive. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/the-50-states-of-education-policy-what-state-legislatures-tackled-in-their/557401/

]]> 2019-07-16 19:51:14 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352050 Slide 6: What Conditions Apply to Disclosure of Information in Health and Safety Emergencies, (34 CFR §99.36)-Administrative Law rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352434
  • In order to protect the safety and health of a student in an emergency situation, the educational institution may notify the parents.

    • What conditions apply to disclosure of information in health and safety emergencies,  34 CFR §99.36

    ]]>     2019-07-16 19:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352434     Slide 7: Suicide Prevention Training, (19 TAC §153.1013)-Administrative Law rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352684
  • All school districts must provide suicide prevention training to all new and current employees.
  • The training must be from a list developed by the Texas Department of Human Services in coordination with the Texas Education Agency.
  • The district must maintain a record of all employees that participated in the training.

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

    ]]>     2019-07-16 19:59:53 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352684     Slide 8: Eisel v. Board of Education, 324 Md. 376 (1991) - Judicial Law rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352787
  • School counselors have a duty to report to the parents or guardians of a student who is at risk of committing suicide.  

    • Eisel v. Board of Education, 324 Md. 376 (1991)

    Link: https://1-next-westlaw-com.easydb.angelo.edu/Document/Ibda4541134f711d986b0aa9c82c164c0/View/FullText.html?navigationPath=Search%2Fv1%2Fresults%2Fnavigation%2Fi0ad62aee0000016bec76dc4da8164912%3FNav%3DCASE%26fragmentIdentifier%3DIbda4541134f711d986b0aa9c82c164c0%26parentRank%3D0%26startIndex%3D1%26contextData%3D%2528sc.Search%2529%26transitionType%3DSearchItem&listSource=Search&listPageSource=fd07bee3f2b96f1f9604609440bdafa5&list=CASE&rank=1&sessionScopeId=9823044b87d0479f257d60cb9fe85197822c8609c31f7e487d3b958dc8f4b354&originationContext=Search%20Result&transitionType=SearchItem&contextData=%28sc.Search%29
    ]]>     2019-07-16 20:01:56 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352787     Slide 9: School Counselors, General Duties, (Tex. Educ. Code §33.006 (a)(b)) - Statutory Law rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352915
  • School counselors must be involved in the planning, implementing and evaluation of a comprehensive school guidance program which can meet the needs of students who are at a risk of committing suicide.
  • If needed, school counselors must consult with the parents or guardians and make referrals to outside resources if needed.

    • School Counselors, General Duties, Tex. Educ. Code  §33.006 (a)(b)

    ]]>     2019-07-16 20:04:25 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371352915     Slide 10: Local Administrative Policy rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353009 In the Dallas ISD local board policy, the steps are outlined on how to proceed when an individual first hears of a suicide threat.  The policy details the positions of personnel and their specific roles in order to follow protocol. 

    Dallas ISD Board Policy Manual. (2019). Student welfare: Student Assistance Programs/Counseling. Retrieved from https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/361?filename=FFE(LOCAL).pdf

    ]]>     2019-07-16 20:06:13 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353009     Slide 11: Ethical Principle rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353127 The ASCA Ethical Standard A.9, “Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others” is the most important ethical code when dealing with suicide prevention.  School counselor’s have a duty to report anytime there is the slightest mention of a suicide threat in order to protect the safety of the student.  Parents and guardians should be notified of the intent in order to best protect their child. 

    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

    ]]>     2019-07-16 20:08:16 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353127     Slide 12: Non-Source Law rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353236 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The SAMHSA website offers publications and digital products to be downloaded to aide in suicide prevention.  Resources such as bulletins to guide schools on how to address mental health issues, toolkits for suicide prevention, suicide assessments, and suicide prevention hotlines are all located on this website.  

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Publications and digital products. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/

    ]]>     2019-07-16 20:09:48 UTC https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353236     Slide 13: Recommended Best Practices for School Counselors in Suicide Prevention rwaller3 https://padlet.com/rwaller3/k4vsmqohdf50/wish/371353320 School counselors play a crucial role in promoting the well-being of students.  Support and guidance through the difficult stages in life can be the most valuable assets when it comes to helping prevent suicide.  The following are best practices a school counselor should follow in order to fulfill their responsibilities to students in the prevention of suicide. The school counselor should:
    1.  Provide trainings over mental health awareness and suicide prevention throughout the year to all staff members (19 TAC §153.1013).
    2. Be knowledgeable of resources available addressing suicide prevention and provide those resources to students, teachers, parents, and staff members (ASCA, 2019). 
    3. Evaluate the comprehensive school guidance program to ensure skills are being taught to students in order to promote success academically as well as their social and emotional wellness, while being proactive in suicide prevention (Tex. Educ. Code §33.006 (a)(b)(1)(a)).
    4. Ensure that the district has an easily accessible suicide protocol in place that outlines all of the policies and procedures for all staff members to follow (Tex. Educ. Code §11.252 (3)(b)(i)).
    5. Partner with community resources to ensure the district has support outside of the school for student referrals (Tex. Educ. Code §33.006 (b)(2)(3)).
    6. Foster and encourage genuine relationships between teachers, students, parents, and staff members to create trust within all members to best support student success (ASCA, 2019).

    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

    American School Counselor Association. (2019). ASCA School counselor professional standards and competencies. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/SCCompetencies.pdf

    District -Level Planning and Decision Making, Tex. Educ. Code §11.252

    School Counselors; General Duties, Tex. Educ. Code §33.006

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

    ASCA Ethical Standards Link:
    https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

    ASCA Standards Link:
    https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/SCCompetencies.pdf

    Texas Administrative Code Link:
    https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.viewtac

    Texas Statutes Link:
    https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=ED

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