Legal Guide: Suicide Prevention by https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y Legal and Ethical Principles EDG 6305- Dr. Dickison en-us 2022-02-24 16:19:27 UTC 2025-10-25 20:25:15 UTC hello@padlet.com svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2065032488 Topic/Professional Perspective:  In the last couple of years, teen suicide has increased 41% (United Health Foundation, 2022) and school counselors must understand their role and fulfill their legal and ethical responsibility. Teachers and school staff interact and spend many hours with students. School staff can often identify when a child is acting different because of how much time students spend at school. It is important for teachers and staff to know what to do when a student is showing warning sings.

Audience: Any school personnel that interacts with students must know what to do when a student shows signs of being suicidal.

United Health Foundation. (2022). Health of women and children. America's Health Rankings. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/teen_suicide/state/TX

]]> 2022-02-24 17:48:10 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2065032488 svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2065365237 The American School Counselor Association has provided school counselor's (sc) with guidance regarding students who are identified as at-risk for suicide. It also provides the sc with things to do before releasing the student to the parents or guardians.

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


]]> 2022-02-24 21:42:37 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2065365237 svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2065375830
  • A student who was severely bullied in school committed suicide, however parents were not informed about how sever the bullying had been.
  • More and more students are reporting bullying and unfortunately, this student did not feel as though he was safe at school and committed suicide by hanging himself. The student was 8 years old. 
  • When the mental health needs of students are not addressed or handled properly it can end tragically. 

    • Walsh, M. (2020). Federal appeals court lets lawsuit proceed against educators in student's suicide. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/federal-appeals-court-lets-lawsuit-proceed-against-educators-in-students-suicide/2020/12
    ]]>     2022-02-24 21:53:49 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2065375830     svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066969148
  • The parents of a 21 year old university student sued her school after she committed suicide.
  • Parents state that the student told staff, including a psychiatrist and counselors, that she was stressed and suicidal nine different times and nothing was done about it.
  • Court documents stated the student was seen by two outside medical professionals and was not considered to be a risk to herself even though she had told one that she had thoughts of running in front of a train.
  • Cases like this shed light on the needs that students have regarding mental health and the lack of policies in place that ensure students receive the appropriate care.

    • Snyder, S. (2022). Civil trial over Penn suicide could shed light on a university's responsibility for student mental health. The Philadelphia Inquirer. https://www.inquirer.com/news/university-of-pennsylvania-student-suicide-lawsuit-olivia-kong-20220208.html
    ]]>     2022-02-25 20:26:19 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066969148     svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066973966 Standard A.9 of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards for School Counselors outlines what a school counselor should do if a student expresses that they are at risk of hurting themselves or others. School counselors have an ethical duty to intervene and breach confidentiality if they feel that a student is in danger.

    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf]]>     2022-02-25 20:31:24 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066973966     svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066985247 The San Felipe Del Rio C.I.S.D Student Handbook provides the following
    • Information regarding suicide prevention training that staff will recieve
    • How students will be assessed and referred
    • What will be done in the event of an in-school suicide attempt
    • What will be done with the event of an out-of-school suicide attempt
    • Parental notification and involvement
    • Development and implementation of an action plan for the student if they are able to return to school (in the event of an attempt).

    San Felipe Del Rio CISD. (2021). San Felipe Del Rio C.I.S.D. student handbook. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.sfdr-cisd.org/media/sztluxla/2021-22-student-handbook_final-9-2-2021.pdf
    ]]>     2022-02-25 20:42:41 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066985247     svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066991748 In the event of a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation the school counselor: 

    • should not leave the child unattended at any moment
    • should know the law, if they are unsure, ask
    • is clear and explicit to the parents about the concerns that the student is expressing
    • does not dismiss the risk if the student is downplaying the ideation
    • does not use words like “low risk” to make the delivery of the message to the parents easier
    • encourage parents to look for medical or mental health treatment
    • help the guardians locate resources (American School Counselor Association, 2020).

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

    ]]>     2022-02-25 20:49:16 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2066991748     State Law svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2067016974 The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires 
    • that all educators receive suicide prevention training at the beginning of the school year
    • All educators should be receiving this training every subsequent school year
    • Each school district to keep a record of the teachers and educator that received this training

    19 TAC §153.1013 
    ]]>     2022-02-25 21:18:05 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2067016974     State Law svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2067020564 All Texas educators should
    • receive youth suicide prevention training
    • provide instruction regarding youth suicide to students
    • obtain instruction from a list of best practice based programs

    19 TAC §228.30
    ]]>     2022-02-25 21:22:35 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2067020564     svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2070176692 Understanding the law and how it pertains to suicide has been helpful as I step in to the role of a school counselor. Knowing what to do in a situation like this is crucial because time is often of the essence. As a school counselor I must act quickly and correctly. Understanding my legal and ethical responsibilities also helps me better equip teachers and staff who may also come into contact with students who need help. Privacy and confidentiality between a school counselor and student is extremely important and must always be cultivated. However, when it pertains to student safety, the ethical standards as a school counselor state that we should always err on the side of caution and act, even if it means breaking confidentiality or going against the will of a student (American School Counselor Association, 2016). Student safety always comes first. 

    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf]]>     2022-02-28 19:30:39 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2070176692     svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2070709313 In interviewing Debra Escamilla, school counselor at Ruben Chavira Elementary, I learned that San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated School District has protocol for dealing with students who are suicidal. When a student is identified as potentially suicidal, the student is referred to the school counselor so that he/she can perform a risk assessment (D. Escamilla, personal communication, February 25, 2022). Depending on the risk the student is in, the school counselor would follow the protocol listed within the school district's policy. The school counselor may need to create a safety plan with the student and follow up. However, in all cases, the parent would need to be informed. They may be given local resources for them to follow up with or the school counselor may assist them in setting up an appointment if the guardians need the help.
    Mental health issues in schools are quickly rising. As a result of the pandemic, students are reporting higher levels of anxiety and depression. For some students, this may mean suicidal ideation. Teachers and school staff must know how to identify warning signs in a student and what to do. If a student is expressing that they are suicidal the teacher/staff/school counselor should do the following:
    • Listen actively and not be judgmental.
    • Do not leave the child alone at any moment.
    • Inform parents and do not downplay the risk.
    • Always err on the side of caution.
    Although we are hearing more and more about the importance of mental health, it is still a very taboo subject. The negative stigma that comes with mental health is still very much present and it will take some time to break down those barriers. The rise of social media is making it easier for students to bully each other and that comes with consequences. Teachers and school staff must constantly be monitoring the mental health of their students and be aware of any red flags their students may be exhibiting (D. Escamilla, personal communication, February 25, 2022).


    ]]>     2022-03-01 03:29:29 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2070709313     State Law svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2074668262 The Texas Education Code requires each school district to have a district improvement plan that is evaluated and revised annually. This plan could include evidence based suicide prevention programs.


    11 TEC, § 11.251]]>     2022-03-03 00:51:47 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2074668262     Federal Law svenegas12 https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2074701358 The tenth amendment of the United Stated Constitution allows each state to come up with its own requirements for education.  This amendment gives Texas the right to require its educators to receive suicide prevention training.

    U.S. Const. amend X]]>     2022-03-03 01:06:24 UTC https://padlet.com/svenegas12/pe3g1pp0x8i9yl7y/wish/2074701358