Every year the district’s guidance department updates counselors with forms to place in a binder. Also, each middle school and high school has a designated counselor titled, “Student Teacher Association Network” or STAN counselor. These counselors only duty is specific to student outcries. 

The most recent legislation related to student suicide is David’s Law. It was enacted in 2017 to report cyberbullying on and off campus. Even though David’s Law is specific to bullying, bullying can lead to student suicide if not caught and prevented. David’s Law did influence Mrs. Ibarra’s work. Big cases such as this affect the school counselor’s policies and procedures. 

Mrs. Ibarra shared she always thinks about confidentiality when it comes to student and employee rights regarding student suicide. She said in these cases you can’t promise confidentiality; it is on a need to know basis. Exceptions to keeping information confidential are if a student says they want to hurt someone else, them self or they know someone who wants to hurt them or someone else. There are rights but there are limits to those rights. 

Mrs. Ibarra stays current on the topic of student suicide by attending a yearly crisis training the district provides. Region 20 also provides training beyond what the district offers. In addition, she attends district monthly meetings for counselors that cover topics like suicide and self-injury.