Suicidal Students- Legal & Ethical Guide by ALLYSON ROMINE https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn en-us 2021-11-21 16:56:15 UTC 2026-02-19 22:29:11 UTC hello@padlet.com 1-General Information & Topic allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904608190 Suicidal Students

I am viewing the topic of suicidal students from the perspective of a junior high counselor. My targeted audience is the junior high school staff. 

I chose this topic because in my current role as a junior high counselor, this issue comes up on a regular basis. Some weeks there are multiple students who are considered suicidal. School staff always has good intentions when talking to and working with these students, but they seem to try to handle some of the situations on their own and they are not addressed properly or to the fullest extent that is required by law. ]]> 2021-11-21 16:57:43 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904608190 2-Interview allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904608325 According to Chavers, J. (personal communication, November 29, 2021):

1) This topic is becoming more prominent in the world due to all of the educational changes and uncertainty with COVID. Counselors and school staff have a huge responsibility concerning student mental health and more students are experiencing anxiety and depression and at times this is leading to suicide thoughts and attempts. Knowing the counselor's role in these situations is key to protecting students and keeping them safe.

2) Ensure that the counselor is promoting a positive school culture and taking all bullying situations seriously. Talk to students involved immediately if there is ever a concern of suicidal thoughts. Contact parents when there is any concern or doubt so that the counselor's responsibilities have been fulfilled.

3) Students are becoming more stressed and anxious about the idea of the world being shutdown again and having to do school at home. Students have the need to be around people and feel like they are a part of something and being in isolation can lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression. If the school shuts down again counselors must be prepared to provide outreach and resources to students virtually. 

4) Jennifer Chavers- Fairfield High School Counselor, Fairfield ISD]]> 2021-11-21 16:57:52 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904608325 3-Professional Association Resource allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904608570 This article by the ASCA (2020) discusses how school counselors play a key role in  situations where a student has expressed suicidal idealization. The counselor should contribute to writing district policies regarding suicide protocol and the counselor is also responsible for contacting parents to discuss the student's risk of suicide and what steps they should take. ]]> 2021-11-21 16:58:10 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904608570 4-News Article 1 allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609141
According to the Prothero (2020):

  • Shelter in place orders brought on by COVID impacted students because of isolation, their concerns for financial stability, and experiencing the loss of loved ones.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-19 years old in the US.
  • During times of shutdown, students who experience troubling home lives do not have a trusted adult to check on them and this can contribute to suicide.
  • Schools should adapt their suicide prevention protocols to include virtual options.
  • Schools should continue to provide virtual lessons so that they can continue to strengthen social-emotional skills in students. 
  • Schools should provide parents with tips and tricks for supporting their students during these times.



Reference:
Prothero, A. (2020, June 19). 'A Punch to the Gut': Dealing With Suicide in a Pandemic. Education Week. Retrieved November 27, 2021, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-punch-to-the-gut-dealing-with-suicide-in-a-pandemic/2020/06. 
]]> 2021-11-21 16:58:42 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609141 5-News Article 2 allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609251 According to Jahn (2021):

  • The University of Nebraska-Lincoln police department is trying to better understand suicide protocol and how to help students who are suicidal or potentially suicidal. 
  • It is stated that they take an approach that is more about how to help the student in the time of need and connecting  them to resources that are available. 
  • The department has seen an increase in calls about students who are potentially suicidal and calls from family members and friends wanting welfare checks on students.
  • On calls concerning mental health, the department takes a calm approach and try to be there more as needed assistance instead of confrontational. 
  • Students are taken to the hospital for evaluations if needed and the campus police department will provide transportation back to campus if needed. 
  • It is all about supporting the student in a suicidal situation, not condemning them.

Reference:
Jahn, C. (2021, November 11). UNLPD continues suicide prevention protocols. The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved from http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/unlpd-continues-suicide-prevention-protocols/article_524dba32-4284-11ec-a842-67acbdfee59c.html. 
]]> 2021-11-21 16:58:49 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609251 6-Statutory Law allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609526 (38 Tex. Educ. Code  § 38.351 (2019))

  • Schools must implement research based programs for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
  • Suicide prevention training must be provided to all school staff. 
  • School staff needs to recognize students at risk of suicide and students engaged in or victims of bullying.
  • Schools should have procedures for contacting parents and providing resources as needed for students who are suicidal.
  • Schools should have procedures for integrating students back into school after treatment for suicide attempts or outside treatment for mental health concerns. 
]]> 2021-11-21 16:59:08 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609526 7-Judicial Law allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609646 (Nguyen v MIT, 2018):

  • After his son's suicide, Mr. Nguyen sued MIT for wrongful death.
  • School staff recommended that he received mental health assistance after he expressed concern over test taking stress, but he declined the assistance. 
  • MIT suggested he participate in their campus mental health counseling services, but he declined services after a couple of visits and received outside counseling instead. 
  • Multiple MIT staff members kept in contact with Nguyen and each other during his time there in regards to his mental health and the help he was receiving. 
  • Nguyen denied suicidal thoughts multiple times.
  • After receiving multiple mental health treatments and treatments for insomnia, MIT staff all agreed Nguyen seemed to be in a better place and he eventually received a job as a teaching assistant before committing suicide.
  • At the time of his suicide, the university did not have actual knowledge of his suicide contemplation or plans, therefore they were not held liable for his actions.

]]> 2021-11-21 16:59:14 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609646 9- Administrative Law allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609711 (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 153. 1013 (2016)):

  • All school districts must provide suicide prevention training to all staff.
  • Yearly, all new staff should receive this training during new employee training. 
  • Training must be from a program on a list best practices programs provided by the Department of State Health Services.
]]> 2021-11-21 16:59:19 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609711 8-Constitutional Law allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609819 (U.S. Const. amend. IX)

  • The 9th amendment of the US Constitution ensures that it is understood that there are rights that may not necessarily be listed fully.
  • Students have rights to a safe environment that may not be listed specifically.
  • Parents have rights to their student and student's information that may not be listed specifically.
]]> 2021-11-21 16:59:28 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904609819 10-Local Policy allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904610026 According to Fairfield ISD (2020):

  • There are plans in place to communicate mental health concerns and potential suicide attempts to parents. 
  • Campus mental health liaison will contact parents within reasonable amount of time of identifying the concern.
  • Campus mental health liaison will provide parents with identifying risk factors, educational materials, and options for treatment on and off campus.

]]> 2021-11-21 16:59:41 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904610026 11-Ethical Principle allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904610432 School counselors are aware that it may not always be possible to obtain informed consent and they may make counseling decisions on students' behalf to promote student welfare (ASCA, 2016). 

A parent may not have consented to their student talking with the school counselor, but if there are reports or suspicion of suicide thoughts or a potential attempt, the counselor has an ethical responsibility to talk with the student. In a situation such as this, the child's welfare is potentially at stake.

]]> 2021-11-21 16:59:52 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904610432 12-Personal Connection allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904610572 Laws and ethical decision-making are a part of my everyday life as a junior high counselor. I was fortunate to have a job as a counselor while I have been attending school. There have been situations where I have had to call parents and inform them about self-harming behaviors from their child. Many times, students are not happy with me about making these phone calls, but I make it clear that it is my job to help them and make sure they are safe. Laws and ethics pave the way on a daily basis to become a better counselor because they are in a sense, professional development. ]]> 2021-11-21 17:00:01 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904610572 13-Recommendations for Best Practice allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904611178
  • Schools should maintain positive campus climates.
  • School staff should report any suspicion of suicidal thoughts or attempts to the counselor for further investigation.
  • School counselors should contact parents at any suspicion of suicidal thoughts or attempts. 
  • Use clear and direct information with the parents and student when discussing suicide and avoid changing the wording to make the conversation softer.
  • Encourage parents to seek outside resources anytime it is necessary. 
  • Administration should immediately investigate any reports of bullying.
  • Have clear protocols for students returning to school after treatment for suicide thoughts or attempts. 
]]> 2021-11-21 17:00:40 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1904611178 References allysonromine https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1915734371 (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 153. 1013 (2016))

(38 Tex. Educ. Code  § 38.351 (2019))

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

ASCA. (2020). The school counselor and suicide risk assessment. The School Counselor and Suicide Risk Assessment - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Retrieved November 27, 2021, from https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Suicide-Risk-Assessment.

(Chavers, J., personal communication, November 29, 2021)

Fairfield ISD. (2020). PK-8th Grade Student Handbook. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B18pDtNjs1Tsgs5JXjsIUgWO7ruMtQOQphSkkI6rtjA/edit

Jahn, C. (2021, November 11). UNLPD continues suicide prevention protocols. The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved from http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/unlpd-continues-suicide-prevention-protocols/article_524dba32-4284-11ec-a842-67acbdfee59c.html.

(Nguyen v MIT, 2018)

Prothero, A. (2020, June 19). 'A Punch to the Gut': Dealing With Suicide in a Pandemic. Education Week. Retrieved November 27, 2021, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-punch-to-the-gut-dealing-with-suicide-in-a-pandemic/2020/06. 

(U.S. Const. amend. IX)]]> 2021-11-27 22:07:01 UTC https://padlet.com/allysonromine/lwug83uivj9os8kn/wish/1915734371