https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye Alma Flores-Cook en-us 2019-09-30 15:59:06 UTC 2019-10-06 22:08:55 UTC hello@padlet.com aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391426866 The professional perspective I will be approaching will be as the school counselor. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. The topic of my legal guide is Working with Suicidal Students During the Initial Crisis Period. This legal padlet is a resource for educators at the secondary level to understand what to do while working with suicidal students in the initial crisis period. I chose this topic because suicide rates continue to increase each year and as a future counselor I can get to suicidal students during the initial crisis period the possibilities of helping a student increase.]]> 2019-09-30 16:01:10 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391426866 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391544518 I interviewed Debi Blevins at Burleson High School, we talked about her role as a high school counselor.
Can you tell me how working with suicidal students impacts your work?
The impact of working with suicidal students is daily, there is a big responsibility working with minors. During the initial crisis students are not be left alone. Parents are contacted, at this point parents are the one's to make all decisions for the minor, however if the parent refuses to address the problem at this point Child Protective Services is called.

Are there legal requirements or compliance issues you regularly monitor or have to be attentive to in the matter?
When a student is encountered you do NOT leave the student as a counselor you do have the right to an evaluation.

Are there any policies or rules you have currently written or revised related to this matter?

School policy is set in place. The school district sets all the policies. If there is a suicidal student I must contact district personnel.
Can you share a situation related to suicidal students in the initial crisis period?

Yes, student John Doe carries a diagnosis, on the spectrum of Autism, student is in Gen. Ed. Population, in the least restrictive environment. The student has had a history of hospitalization. I have worked with him the past three years. Student has had depression brought on by stress, age, development, identity issues with not knowing his father and autism. Student had thoughts of self-harm, student goes over frequency often, thinks about it often, no set plan but knows he could go through with it because he knows there is a gun in the home. I contacted the student's parents, parent's came in signed a referral for suicide ideation with needs, no plans. I take every suicide ideation very serious as young males typically would go with a gun. When I talked to the parent's I advised them to secure gun, parent's sign and the principal signs the referral. Once the referral is signed the parents assume responsibility. If the parent does not come in for the referral at that moment Child Protective Services is involved. During the crisis period student I will never leave the student alone. This particular student came back the next day, did not follow the referral recommendations nor did parents come back to meet with me. I contacted parents, parents made an appointment so student may receive care.
Best practices
*Listen (Don't Assume)
*Know your protocol
*Be prepared

Emerging Issues
An emerging issue that educators need to be aware of is cutting, emotional students are cutting.

(D. Blevins, personal communication, September 27, 2019)



]]> 2019-09-30 19:07:24 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391544518 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545050 Professional Association Position related to Suicidal Students in the Initial Crisis

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has a blog where assessments and third party software alerts for suicide ideation are discussed. This software is imperative for the initial crisis period, when student's are searching any key word that has to do with suicide will alert school officials. The blog also talks about legal and ethical issues to consider regarding student's privacy however the blog is discussing the legalities for school counselors for the school counselors as designee required to attend to the alerts and then assess if suicide threat is there. The strongest argument is that the third party software can save lives. The reasoning behind this makes it very hard to argue against installing the software. Some of the school districts argue how burdensome and unrealistic this would be for counselors to maintain. The fact is that school counselors know and accept their role in suicide prevention. The argument is that third party software should exist but only when the software is designed to alert the parent directly. Students in the initial suicide ideation need to be reached by educators, school counselors and most importantly their parents.  
American School Counselor Association (ASCA), (2018) Assessments and Third-Party Software Alerts for Suicide Ideation. Retrieved from www.schoolcounselor.org]]> 2019-09-30 19:08:28 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545050 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545208 This article discusses a bill that would mandate suicide prevention training for students.

An Ohio bill is headed to the senate that would require public middle and high school students to take a yearly class in suicide and crisis prevention.

*Bill requires every public school to have student led anti-violence club and a threat assessment composed of staff member.

*Contract with anonymous, round the-clock reporting system for tips about potential safety threats.

*Aimed to reduce social isolation.

*Give schools tools and resources to for suicide-prevention and threat-assessment training.

The article discusses how providing schools with tools and resources will allow to prevent unwanted social isolation that could lead to suicide, prevention is key.
(Education Week, 2019)

Bill would mandate suicide prevention training for students. (2019, October 4). Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/10/04/bill-would-mandate-suicide-prevention-training_ap.html.

]]> 2019-09-30 19:08:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545208 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545383 This article discusses beginning mental health education as early as kindergarten with a focus on age-appropriate instructional practices.

*Reducing stigma of mental health and obtaining and maintaining good mental health.

*Three high school students concerned with how stress anxiety, depression and other mental health issues were affecting many peers.

*Students took their concerns to lawmakers proposing a bill requiring state mandated mental health education in K-12 schools.

*Currently Virginia Law requires mental health education in the 9th and 10th grade. This bill extends the mandate to include kindergarten through the 10th grade.

*Practices include reducing stigma and teaching students how to obtain and maintain good mental health, understand mental health disorders, pick up on signs and symptoms of distress, and seek help.

*Age-appropriate instructional practices.
*Healthy self-concepts, compassion, and respecting differences.

*Verbal and nonverbal communication skills and how to understand and manage emotions related to grief, loss and stress.

The article discusses how early mental health education is a pivotal role and how by incorporating it into the school day and building on what children learn from kindergarten through the 12th grade, educators can destigmatize the issue and provide young people with the tools they need to pick up early warning signs and get help for themselves or a friend.
Hood, L.(2019, September 3) More States Requiring Mental Health Education.

Retrieved from

]]> 2019-09-30 19:09:11 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545383 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545754 This state statutory law Sec.38.351 Mental and Health Promotion and Intervention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Suicide Prevention. The agency in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and regional educational service centers, shall provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs and research-based practices in the area specified for implementation in public elementary, junior high, middle and high schools within the general education setting.

The suicide prevention programs on the list provided must include components that provide training for school counselors, teachers, nurses, administrators and other staff, as well as law enforcement officers and social workers who regularly interact with students to :

*recognize students at risk of attempting suicide.

*recognize early warning signs and a possible need for mental health or substance abuse intervention.

*intervene effectively with students or by providing notice and a referral to a parent or guardian.

*assist students in returning to school following treatment of a mental health concern or a suicide attempt.

 (38 Tex. Edu. Code § 38.351)]]> 2019-09-30 19:09:56 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391545754 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391546585  
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Administrative Law that gives rights to parents and then those rights are transferred once the student turns 18.

As a future counselor FERPA will be very important because I will have to be cognizant of student records, however it will also be very important to protocol use if a student has parents that are not obtaining services for the student.
 
 (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g) 


]]> 2019-09-30 19:11:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391546585 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391546859 This law pertains to court decisions and written opinions by the courts, thus creating judicial laws.
Rogers vs. Christina School District is a court case in the state of Delaware in and for New Castle County.
This case takes place at Newark High School. A sixteen year old explained in writing to the counselor that he was feeling unloved an alone and he had thoughts of hurting himself or others. After four hours with the student, the counselor decided he was no longer suicidal and sent the student back to class. The counselor sent an email to the students teachers, the assistant principal, and other school counselors that she had met with the student and did not believe the student was a threat to himself. State and school regulations require that a parent/guardian is notified of a crisis situation involving a student. A crisis situation would include suicidal or homicidal statements. The school did not notify the students parent/guardians. Upon arriving at home the student hung himself.

The student's family brought a wrongful death and survival suit against the school district.

As a future counselor it is imperative that during the initial crisis period students are not left alone and most importantly that a referral is written and a parent is called.

Rogers v. Christina Sch. Dist., C.A. No. N10C-07-060 JRJ

]]> 2019-09-30 19:12:09 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391546859 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391546954 Tenth Amendment of the Constitution ( U.S. Const. Amend. X) The powers are delegated to the state governments.

Based on the topic I chose, Working with Suicidal Students in the Initial Crisis would suit the tenth amendment. School officials are delegated the powers so that they can create policies that allow for students to be written a referral and that keeps the parents aware of the crisis.
Tenth Amendment of the Constitution ( U.S. Const. Amend. X) 


]]> 2019-09-30 19:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391546954 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391547432 Fort Worth ISD is a local school district that has guidelines in place to tackle suicide before its too late. 

The district notes suicide signs and it also advises what you should in the event that you suspect a teenager thinking about suicide.

*Ask about it. Don't be afraid to say the word "Suicide"

*Reassuring him/her that you care and remind them that not matter what they are facing there is a solution.

*Ask him/her to talk about their feelings. Listen and do not judge or dismiss their feelings.

*Lastly, ensure the student is NEVER left alone. 

The Student can be taken to the Student Support Services person on the school. In accordance with FWISD Safety Management Procedures Manual,this individual will conduct a suicide risk assessment and take action based on the level of risk. 

(FWISD Suicide Handout, 2019)
Retrieved from:
It's Not Okay / Suicidal Thinking. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fwisd.org/Page/2163.

]]> 2019-09-30 19:13:28 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391547432 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391548235 An ethical principle that I have identified would be:
 A.9. Serious and Foreseeable Harm to Self and Others
 d. Report to parents/guardians and/or appropriate authorities when students disclose a perpetrated or a perceived threat to their physical or mental well-being. This threat may include, but is not limited to, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, dating violence, bullying or sexual harassment. The school counselor follows applicable federal, state and local laws and school district policy.

This ethical principle would be a related to my chosen topic with the ethical dilemma of ensuring that the student does not go through with the perpetuated threat before I am able to notify a parent or guardian.
Another dilemma would be the parents not following through with getting their child help and a call to Child Protective Services may have been warranted.
 (ASCA, 2019) 
Retrieved from: 
ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf.]]> 2019-09-30 19:15:09 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391548235 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391548351 "I have a Suicidal student in my Office Now What?" by Dr. Lawanda N. Evans is a guide for helping school counselors understand, identify, and respond to youth at risk for Suicidal Behaviors.

The book is a guide for school counselors that will help with the following:

*List of interventions that are easily implemented.

*Checklist to follow

*Self-care strategies to ensure you take care of yourself.

Are you a school counselor who gets nervous at the thought of having a suicidal student in your office?

*How to talk to students about suicide without being afraid.

*How to be calm when calling a parent.

*Screening students

*Talking about suicide with parents, teachers and administrators

Evans, L. (2017) 
I Have a Suicidal Student in My Office, Now What? Cover Design, TX]]> 2019-09-30 19:15:24 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391548351 aflorescook https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391548607 The most important recommendations and best practices for Compliance for Working with Suicidal Students during the initial crisis are:

*Listening to the student

* Protocol, ensure that you know your protocol and lastly follow it.

*Do not leave the student alone until a parent/guardian has assumed responsibility. 

*Be prepared.

*Non-Law sources are a great tools to add to your tool box.

*Educators need to be our first line of defense, educators need to be aware of what emerging issues are out there so they can be our eyes and ears.

]]> 2019-09-30 19:15:57 UTC https://padlet.com/aflorescook/zie2hwiavye/wish/391548607