Legal and Ethical Guide: Suicidal Students by Tia Atkinson

Padlet Slide #2 Interview

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:54:27 UTC

1. As previously mentioned suicide is the second largest death in students (CDC, 2020) therefore, a legal and ethical guide on how to deal with suicidal students is imperative. If a school counselor is better prepared to handle a suicidal student there may be a better chance at providing the necessary assistance to the student. Dealing with suicide is a difficult task and if faculty and staff are adequately prepared the outcome could possibly be life saving. Suicide is not a joke and it is imperative that everyone is prepared and having a legal guide on how to legally deal with the issue will give school districts a better outcome. 2. Mrs. Griffith stated that the following practices are the best for dealing with a suicidal student include
- Communication. This is the number 1 way to be responsive in any suicidal situation. Communicate with parents, students, faculty/staff.
- Work with faculty and staff members. Communicate with them about your concerns and if they have any concerns have them communicate them with you. Ask them to keep any records or to watch closely in journal entries or writing assignments.
-Observe the students. Self-harm can often times be an indicator that a student may be struggling with mental health issues and in need of assistance. Carefully observing and watching students may make it easier to find warning signs.
3. Students have rights to be protected when it comes to foreseeable harm. Keep in mind that you must warn students of their rights when you are visiting with them and that you are legally not allowed to withhold information about someone possibly getting hurt so that they cannot say you did not have permission to share. There are more and more students who do not want you to share the information because they may be fearful of the outcome however it is our job to make sure they stay safe at all cause. Make sure that you share your responsibilities with the students and again always communicate with the proper authorities.
4. Kaci Griffith, Colorado High School, School Counselor

Padlet Slide #1 Professional Perspective

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:54:42 UTC

Suicide is the second largest death in students 14-18 years old (CDC, 2020). This is a scary and terrifying number for parents and for educators. In October of 2007 a senior at Colorado High school committed suicide in his bedroom due to an ongoing battle with bipolar disorder. With a graduating class totaling at 67 every senior was devastated and I will never forget the day it happened or how the faculty and staff responded to caring for my graduating class. Since that devastating day of my senior year in high school suicide and suicide prevention have been one of my focuses in my career and academic career.

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

Padlet Slide #3 Professional Association

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:55:22 UTC

Marshall, D. (2018). After a suicide: A toolkit for schools. American School Counselor Association. https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/after-a-suicide-a-toolkit-for-schools

This webinar provides tips for responding to a suicide. This video is helpful for understanding how to deal with a suicide and the aftermath when a suicide does occur. This webinar would be extremely helpful to watch prior to a suicide happening so you may be prepared to respond in the event of a suicide on your campus.

Padlet Slide #4 Current News Articles

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:56:57 UTC

Harris, E.P. (2021). 9 tips for creating effective community partnerships around students' mental health. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/9-tips-for-creating-effective-community-partnerships-around-students-mental-health-downloadable/2021/05

*Many schools have gaps in providing mental health services, outsourcing to community partnerships can help fill those gaps.
*There are 9 key elements that will help create effective and long lasting partnerships
*The 9 elements are leadership, needs assessment, point person, accountability, resources, training, sustainability, evaluation, communication

Padlet Slide #5 Current News Articles

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:57:26 UTC

Sullivan, M. (2021). School safety should begin with proactive measures. Education Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/school-safety-should-begin-with-proactive-measures/599927/

*54% of students have anxiety about returning to the classroom.
*3 clear strategies have been established to be proactive to serious problems 1. proactive support 2. peer system 3. behavioral intervention protocol
*Schools must take mental health seriously as students return to school after the COVID shutdown to avoid traumatic situations
*Only 23% of students surveyed felt as though their district was prepared to handle a mental health crisis
*Schools must make it as easy as possible for students to report they are facing a mental health crisis
*With early prevention it will be easier to keep mental health crisis including suicide down to a minimum

Padlet Slide #6 Original Source of Law:

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:58:03 UTC

Tex. Educ. Code. § 11.252

*All schools must have evidence-best practices in place that address the needs of students including suicide prevention training
*The program must include:
-parent or guardian notification procedure

Padlet Slide #7 Original Sources of Law:

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:58:23 UTC

Baab v. Medina City Schools BD of Education, Ohio 510. (2019).
The student referred to as D.B. had been to the counselor on multiple occasions and multiple students approached the counselor on multiple occasions about D.B. cutting himself but nothing was done. The courts decided the school was immune to being sued but the counselor was sued for acting recklessly and not reporting the issue to the parents.

Padlet Slide #8 Original Sources of Law:

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:59:08 UTC

Eisel vs. Board of Education of Montgomery County (2019). 324 MD 376.

The school counselors did not report the suicidal ideation of the students to the parents which lead to a murder-suicide. The father of one student sued for negligence on the part of the school counselors. While the case was overturned on it did teach educators the importance of notifying parents and not being negligent.

Padlet Slide #9 Original Sources of Law:

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 15:59:44 UTC

H.R. 41 — 114th Congress: David’s Law. www.GovTrack.us. 2015. July 7, 2021
David's law was a law put into place to prevent bullying which leads a student to commit suicide. David was a young man that committed suicide after individuals at school bullied him and told him to 'kill himself' this law makes students punishable for using this kind of bullying tactic.

Padlet Slide #10 Local Administrative Policy

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 16:00:06 UTC

Colorado ISD. (2021). Colorado ISD School Board Policy Manual.
Counseling and Mental Health:
Colorado Independent School District School Board Policy Manual states that in compliance with the Texas Education Code parents must consent to the students counseling and students may be able to seek out counseling for many issues including suicide prevention. This policy provides students the opportunity to seek out counseling from the school counselor who may refer students to an outside resource.

Padlet Slide #11 Ethical Principle

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 16:00:28 UTC

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

A.9- Serious and foreseeable harm to self and others

This ethical standard is directly related to suicide and suicide prevention. If there is a possibility that a student may harm themselves or others the school counselor is responsible for ensuring the safety of the student and others. School counselors must inform the students of their duties in the event of a threat being assessed so that the student is aware of the reporting that will take place. School counselors must inform parents, administration, and/or appropriate authorities if a risk is found. School counselors must keep students in their possession until a decision is determined on how to treat the student.

Padlet Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 16:01:08 UTC

As a student in high school we lost a student that was nominated to be homecoming king, he was the Varsity football captain, he was well known and loved by everyone that knew him. As a student I remember how the teachers responded and the compassion they showed towards us for the remainder of the year. Now as an educator I realize how incredibly difficult that must have been for them. The laws in place about suicide prevention and watching for warning signs are what kept our school going for the weeks after the suicide occurred. At the time of the suicide I did not know there were laws and policies in place in regards to watching for warning signs of suicidal ideation or mental health issues. My education was greatly impacted by the care and attention I received for my mental health. My career has been affected by suicide by allowing me to provide mental health care to my students. I hope as my future role as a school counselor I can continue to provide exceptional care to my students.

Padlet Slide #13 List of Recommendations

thuff13 — 2021-07-12 16:01:32 UTC

* Duty to warn- school employees have a duty to warn when they believe a child is in danger. Make sure the appropriate authorities are notified.
* Ensure that you have received the most up to date training about suicide and suicide prevention.
* Pay attention to students and what is happening on a daily basis. If you suspect a student is a danger to themselves or others notify someone immediately.
* If you notice a student is being bullied put it to a stop and report to proper authorities.
* Many students suffer from mental health issues keep this in mind and help students who may be in need
* Do your due diligence and report. Any minor detail could be important to saving a life. Negligence is one of the biggest factors in many suicide cases.