Legal & Ethical Guide by Allison Gibson https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x Working with Suicidal Students en-us 2022-05-01 13:10:57 UTC 2025-11-10 20:18:18 UTC hello@padlet.com agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776125 The information in this presentation is from the perspective of a school counselor, and is designed to educate current and prospective school counselors about legal and ethical issues related to suicidal students. I chose this topic because it is crucial that school counselors are aware of the policies related to this issue. Failure to follow procedures could result in the severe harm, or possibly death, of a student. ]]> 2022-05-01 13:23:45 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776125 Angelica Perez agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776277 Angelica Perez is the head counselor of Dr. John Folks Middle School in San Antonio, Texas. She has been a counselor for over fifteen years, and she feels passionately about supporting suicidal students. 

According to Perez (personal communication, May 3, 2022), working with suicidal students is one of the most important roles of the school counselor. The purpose of a comprehensive school counseling program is to provide intervention to prevent students from reaching the point where they want to take their own life. However, even in schools with the strongest programs, there will still be students who reach this point. These students are in crisis, and if counselors do not respond immediately and appropriately, the consequences could be devastating. 

When asked about best practices for working with suicidal students, Perez (personal communication, May 3, 2022) explained: 

  • If a staff member notifies a counselor that a student is at risk for suicide, the counselor needs to meet with that student before they go home that day. If this is not able to happen, a counselor can notify local authorities to conduct a well-check at the student's home. 

  • Parents and guardians must always be notified if there is a concern about their child potentially committing suicide, even if the risk seems low. Counselors could face legal action if they fail to notify parents and something happens to the student. 

  • Parents should be provided with a list of resources to get help for their child. This list must include at least three places, and counselors cannot suggest one place over another. 

When asked about an emerging issue, Perez (personal communication, May 3, 2022) mentioned the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. She said that since the pandemic hit, counselors in our district have seen an increase in responsive services and suicidal outcries. Students have lost loved ones, been isolated from friends and family, and are falling behind in school. Local mental health facilities have been bombarded and currently have wait lists that are several months long, which can be dangerous to students needing immediate help. While this is an immediate effect of the pandemic, Perez said that it will be interesting to observe the long-term effects and how they will influence the role of the counselor. 
]]> 2022-05-01 13:24:05 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776277 American School Counselor Association agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776433 The American School Counselor Association (2020) outlines the role of a school counselor when responding to suicidal outcries. It provides information about notifying parents, following district protocol, completing risk assessments, keeping the student safe until the parents arrive, and the process for referring students to outside agencies.

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]]> 2022-05-01 13:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776433 agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776614 Marraccini (2021) describes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on student suicide rates. Specific information in the article includes: 

  • Although reports show an increase of suicidal idealization during the pandemic, the actual number of committed suicides has not seen an increase. 

  • Many media outlets are sharing false information about suicide rates related to the pandemic, and schools must be sure to base all interventions on actual research. 

  • The article provides several research-based techniques that schools can use to support students' mental health while distance learning.  

Marraccini, M. (2021, March 31). What we know about suicide during the pandemic (and what we don't). Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-what-we-know-about-suicide-during-the-pandemic-and-what-we-dont/2021/03
]]> 2022-05-01 13:24:45 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776614 agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776698 Merod (2022) states that the California Department of Education is among several states to mandate including mental health in their state standards. Specific information in the article includes: 

  • The standards must be included by January 2023 and be part of the curriculum by January 2024. 

  • The focus of the curriculum will be on the signs and symptoms of various mental health disorders, as well as how to seek help. 

  • The goal of the standards/ curriculum is to reduce the stigma of mental health disorders and encourage students to seek help before their struggles become a crisis. 

Taking these steps will work to prevent students from attempting suicide and seek help instead.

Merod, A. (2022, February 2). Mental health curriculum mandates seek to destigmatize getting help. K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/mental-health-curriculum-mandates-seek-to-destigmatize-getting-help/618199/


]]> 2022-05-01 13:24:55 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165776698 14th Amendment agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777035
  • The 14th Amendment states that no citizen shall be deprived of the right to life, liberty, or property. 

    • Additionally, the Amendment states that all individuals are allowed equal protection under this amendment, which includes those in public schools. 

    • In working to support suicidal students, school counselors are protecting students' right to life. 

    U.S. Const. amend. XIV.
    ]]>     2022-05-01 13:25:39 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777035     Rogers v. Christina School District, 2013 agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777093
    • A school counselor met with a suicidal student for four hours before sending him back to class. She determined that he was no longer suicidal. 

    • The counselor notified officials of the meeting, but failed to notify the student's guardians. The student committed suicide when he went home. 

    • Though the suicide happened off campus, the court decided that the school was responsible for the death due to failure to notify the student's guardians. 

    Rogers v. Christina School District, 2013
    ]]>     2022-05-01 13:25:48 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777093     Texas Health and Safety Code agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777185
    • The Texas Department of Health and Safety must provide an annual list of suicide prevention programs for schools to choose from. 

    • Programs must include training for all school staff that interact regularly with students. 

    • The purpose of the programs are to help staff to recognize students at risk for suicide as well as the process for intervention and referral. 

    Tex. Health and Safety Code § 161.325
    ]]>     2022-05-01 13:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777185     Texas Administrative Code agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777251
  • All Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools must provide suicide prevention training as part of their new employee orientation. 

    • Districts must maintain proper documentation regarding which employees have received training. 

    Suicide Prevention Training, 19 Tex. Admin. Code §     153.1013
    ]]>     2022-05-01 13:26:09 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777251     District Handbook agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777402 Northside Independent School District Handbook

    All staff will receive training in identifying and referring students with mental health concerns. If there are concerns of potential suicide, school counselors should administer the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to determine the best course of action to help the student (Northside Independent School District, 2021).

    Northside Independent School District. (2021). 2021-2022 secondary student-parent handbook. https://www.nisd.net/sites/default/files/documents/2021-22-nisd-secondary-student-parent-handbook_0.pdf]]>     2022-05-01 13:26:30 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777402     ASCA Standard A.9.c. agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777498 ASCA Ethical Codes for School Counselors

    Standard A.9.c. states that if a counselor suspects a student is at risk for harming themselves or others, they should not be released from the office until they have been given the proper support. In severe cases when parents/guardians refuse to get help for their child, counselors should call Child Protective Services (American School Counselor Association, 2016).

    American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

    ]]>     2022-05-01 13:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777498     agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777591 The laws and ethical codes related to suicidal students have helped me greatly throughout my own educational journey. While I never contemplated suicide, I struggled greatly after my father passed away when I was in high school. Because of the systems the district had in place, my teachers were able to see that I was struggling, refer me to the counselor, and the counselor was able to provide me with the support that I needed. 

    As a future school counselor, my passion is ensuring the emotional well-being of all students. The laws and ethical codes related to suicide provide me with a clear outline as to how I should do that, from educating students and staff to working with parents and authorities. I now feel much more confident in helping these students in my future role. ]]>     2022-05-01 13:26:53 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777591     agibson141 https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777724
  • If a student is considered at risk for self-harm or suicide, even if the risk seems low, parents and guardians must be notified. Counselors should not downplay the risk of suicide when speaking to parents. 

    • The primary role of the counselor is to keep suicidal students safe until they are released to their parents. When the parents arrive, they must be provided with a list of resources and strongly encouraged to seek outside support for their child. 

    • If parents refuse to get the necessary help for their child, and they are neglecting their child's mental health, counselors should contact Child Protective Services. 

    • All schools should include mental health programs and curriculum as a preventative measure. These programs will inform students of the risk factors associated with suicide, how to get help, and how to identify classmates that may be struggling. 

    • All school staff that interact regularly with students must be trained in identifying students that may be at risk for suicide as well as the process for referring them to the counselor. 

    • School counselors may use screening tools if mandated by their district, but it is the counselor's role to advocate for the proper and ethical use of such tools. 

    • Prior to talking with students, counselors must gain informed consent. Students must be aware that their parents/ guardians will be notified if the counselor believes they are at risk for harming themselves or others. 
    ]]>     2022-05-01 13:27:12 UTC https://padlet.com/agibson141/vrn16eeuiutfl87x/wish/2165777724