An Educator's Legal Guide to Suicide Prevention by Kim McClintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly en-us 2019-07-19 13:01:43 UTC 2019-07-22 00:07:06 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide 1 - My Professional Perspective kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692260 My professional perspective is working as a public school counselor. This legal guide will be used to educate teachers and staff members at my school on suicide prevention. This guide will help educators understand the legal requirements mandated by law and the expectations of local policy when dealing with mental health issues and suicide. Teachers, staff members, and students are often the first ones to learn about a student's thoughts of suicide. This guide will educate staff members on recognizing warning signs, and how to intervene and report signs of suicide to the proper authorities. The topic of educating teachers and staff on the legal issues surrounding suicide prevention was chosen because many staff members are not confident in dealing with these issues. By producing a guide that clearly states expectations, laws, and best practices, staff members will have more confidence in their abilities to address these issues.  ]]> 2019-07-19 13:05:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692260 Slide 2 - Interview kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692294 I interviewed Farrah Fuchs, a school counselor at Brock ISD, about her experiences with suicide prevention.

Importance of Suicide Prevention

Mrs. Fuchs explained that school counselors are often the first professionals in contact with students who are coping with suicidal thoughts or tendencies; therefore, they should be properly trained. She stated she has to be aware of issues, such as, bullying, social media usage, and lack of access to mental health care.

Best Practices for Suicide Prevention

Mrs. Fuchs listed three programs and practices for suicide prevention. 

  • The Hope Squad - The Hope Squad is a peer-based program where trustworthy students are trained to identify at-risk students, formulate positive relationships, and seek help from adults if suicide risks are present. 
  • Gatekeeper Program - This program trains professional gatekeepers on the signs of suicide risks, and how to respond. Mrs. Fuchs is a qualified trainer to professionals. 
  • Mrs. Fuchs tours mental health facilities in the area, so when she does make referrals to a family, she is aware of the environment of the facility. In doing so, she can educate the families about the facilities, rather than only providing logistical information about the facility. 

Emerging Issues

Suicide prevention is an important issue among youth today. According to Mrs. Fuchs, one emerging issue contributing to this epidemic is social media. Educating youth about social media etiquette and responsibilities is necessary to address this issue.
(F. Fuchs, personal communication, July 18, 2019)

 

]]> 2019-07-19 13:06:13 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692294 Slide 3 - ASCA Professional Statement Related to Suicide Prevention kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692527
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) issued a professional statement regarding their position of a school counselor's role in suicide prevention and awareness. School counselors must recognize signs of suicide in students, address the need appropriately, and contact parents with referral information if needed. By implementing a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors can address issues that could lead to a student's thoughts of suicide, and prevent such action from occurring.

(American School Counselor Association, 2018. The school counselor and suicide prevention/awareness. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PS_Suicide.pdf)

]]> 2019-07-19 13:08:38 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692527 Slide 4 - Education Week kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692551 This article discusses recent statistics for national youth suicides, and strategies for schools to implement which will address issues involving student suicide. According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of youth in ages 10-19. Below are six tips for suicide prevention presented in the video embedded in the article. 
  • Create a safe and welcoming environment. 
  • Educate staff, students, and parents about depression and suicide. 
  • Help students feel connected to students and staff.
  • Pay attention to bullying. 
  • Anyone can be affected by depression. 
  • Be upfront about suicide.
The article also discusses tips for schools who are responding to a suicide. 

This article is important because it highlights tips from several professionals, including advice from students, on ways to address suicide prevention. 

(Stark, L. 2018. Suicide are on the rise. Here's how schools can help. Retrieved from https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2018/12/suicides_continue_to_increase_how_schools_can_help.html)
]]> 2019-07-19 13:08:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692551 Slide 5 kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692626
  • This article discusses how the suicide note of a 16-year old boy influenced changes in a school in California. The student was overwhelmed by the pressures from school affecting many youth today. The student stated he was concerned there was too much emphasis being placed on grade point averages, instead of looking at the good moral character exhibited by his peers. The principal at the school stated since too much emphasis has been placed on college recruiting, the pressure on students to perform well in school is causing unnecessary mental stress on students. The principal is challenging the community to work together to encourage and celebrate all successes, listing examples of careers in the military and vocational careers such as plumbing and electrical. 
  • This article reveals a current issue with youth today which has led to mental health issues and even suicide. 
  • By acknowledging and addressing these issues, school counselors can work with community stakeholders to prevent suicide among youth. 

    • (Jaschik, S. 2018. Suicide note calls out pressureon students. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2018/02/12/suicide-note-16-year-old-renews-debate-about-pressure-top-high-schools)
    ]]>     2019-07-19 13:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692626     Slide 6 kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692707 Tex. Education Code §11.252 (a)(3)(B)
    Statutory Law

    This law states schools in Texas must have a district improvement plan in place, which includes a suicide prevention plan. It is important for schools to have a suicide prevention plan and to educate educators and staff members about the plan. Students interact with many people who work at schools, and it is important that everyone understands how to look for warning signs, and properly report threats or suspicions of suicide to the proper administrators.

    Tex. Education Code §11.252 (a)(3)(B)
    ://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.11.htm

    ]]>     2019-07-19 13:09:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692707     Slide 7 kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692724 Jason Flatt Act, H.B. 2186 (2015)
    Statutory Law
       
    This law was enacted in memory of a student from Fairfield, TX who committed suicide. It mandates that all schools in Texas provide staff development on suicide prevention annually. By mandating suicide prevention training be administered annually for all educators, it will ensure educators are trained on all new legislation and district policy in effect.

    Jason Flatt Act, H.B. 2186 (2015) https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/HB02186F.HTM
    ]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692724     Slide 8 kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692744 Dzung Duy Nguyen v. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 479 Mass. 436 (2018)
    Judicial Law

    This court case from Massachusetts debates the legal ramification regarding a student’s suicide at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The case was appealed from the trial court to the Supreme Court in Massachusetts where the Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, the student’s family. This case is important in education because it is a recent case, with a decision being rendered on May 7, 2018. It also opens the door for other educational institutions to be liable for student suicides where there is a “special relationship” between a student and an educational institution.

    Dzung Duy Nguyen v. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 479 Mass. 436 (2018) https://1-next-westlaw-com.easydb.angelo.edu/Document/
    ]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692744     Slide 9 kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692755 U.S. Const. amend. X
    Constitutional Law

    The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is included in the Bill of Rights. Through this amendment, powers not delegated to the federal government are granted to the states. Some state and federal powers overlap; however, this amendment allows states the power to make decisions and laws regarding their state’s educational system.

    U.S. Const. amend. X
    https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/the-constitution/
    ]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692755     Slide 10 - Local Policy kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692764 The local policy from Brock ISD states the school must offer programs for early mental health prevention and suicide prevention. These programs must also be included in the student handbook. This policy is important to the topic of suicide prevention because it assures stakeholders there is a plan in place for suicide prevention and mental health programming.

    (Brock ISD Board Policy Manual. November 8, 2017. Student welfare crisis intervention. Retrieved from https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/988?filename=FFB(LEGAL).pdf)]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692764     Slide 11 - Ethical Principle kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692774 ASCA Ethical Standard A.2 - Confidentiality - It is important to inform students of their rights to confidentiality before meeting with them. It is also important for students to understand informed consent is not always possible due to the school counselor's ethical duty to keep all students safe. This ethical principle is important to suicide prevention because it is important that student rights to confidentiality are understood, and that a school counselor may have to break confidentiality if he or she feels like the student is in imminent danger.

    (American School Counselor Association. 2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Retrieved from  https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf)]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692774     Slide 12 - Non-law Source kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692780 Hope Squad is program in which students are trained in suicide prevention techniques, such as, recognizing warning signs, and reporting procedures. The program also focuses on building positive relationships with all students. This program would benefit schools looking to implement a suicide prevention program which is student based.

    (The Hope Squad. 2018. Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from https://hopesquad.com/suicide-6/)]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:42 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692780     Slide 13 - Recommendations and Best Practices kmcclintock https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692786
  • School counselors are often the first professionals in contact with students who are coping with suicidal thoughts or tendencies; therefore, they should be properly trained.
  • Touring mental health facilities in the area will benefit families who are receiving referrals. 
  • It is good practice to be upfront about suicide by using appropriate vocabulary, and providing open lines of communication with students. 
  • An emerging cause of student mental health issues is societal pressures due to demanding academic and social pressures.  
  • All schools in the state of Texas must have a Suicide Prevention Plan in place as part of their district improvement plan. 
  • All staff members in Texas schools must be trained annually on suicide prevention issues. 
  • Even though school counselors must inform students of their rights to confidentiality, if there is a suspicion of self-harm, the safety of the student overrides protecting their confidentiality. 
  • The Hope Squad is a student-led program address suicide prevention issues, and promote positive peer relationships.
  • The Gatekeeper Program is a program used to inform and educate teachers and staff members on best practices for suicide prevention. 
    • ]]>     2019-07-19 13:10:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kmcclintock/qj9zxxuc89ly/wish/371692786