Counselor Connections
Quarter 2 Newsletter
If you took a stroll around MMS you would notice signs promoting 988 in our classrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and team areas. We know that for some students winter can be hard and for some the holiday season can be hard due to grief, change in family structure, lack of typical routine, gift or vacation expectations not met, etc. Therefore, last month, our MMS Natural Helpers reminded all students about the 988 lifeline and they received a wallet size card. 988 is the national suicide and crisis hotline, but it is more than a suicide hotline. We wanted students to know that there are many reasons that people connect with the 988 Lifeline. Some examples in addition to thoughts of suicide are feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, drug/alcohol use, feeling depressed, mental and physical illness, loneliness, trauma, conflict and relationship issues just to name a few. You can also connect with 988 if you are worried about a friend, classmate, peer, or family member. The following is additional information that we shared with students about 988.
-988 is available 24/7. You can call, text or chat.
-988 is free
-988 is confidential
-988 is the number to call for emotional support on nights and weekends when you don’t have access to a school counselor, teacher, parent or other trusted adult.
-988 Lifeline crisis counselors are trained to help reduce the intensity of a situation for the person seeking help and connect them to additional local resources, as needed, to support their wellbeing.
-What Happens When I call? A trained crisis counselor answers the phone and will ask a few questions about you in order to best serve you. The counselor then listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides personal support, and connects you with the resources you need. They also offer follow up services.
How can you help someone?
*Listening to them with sincere concern for their feelings. Do not offer advice, but let them know that they are not alone.
*Tell them that you are concerned. They need to know that they are important to you and that you care.
*Ask if they have had suicidal thoughts of it hey have made a suicide plan in a straightforward and caring manner. If you feel you cannot ask the question, find someone who can.
*Call the 988 Helpline Center
What do I do if my child reports another student making suicidal comments?
We know that middle school aged students often confide in their peers. That is the main reason that we have MMS Natural Helpers. Natural Helpers are trained with helping and listening skills so that they may connect vulnerable peers to trusted adults and other appropriate resources.
If your student confides in you that a peer has talked about suicidal ideation, as a parent you can contact the other student’s parent(s) directly if you have their contact information.
If during school hours, you can call us school counselors at MMS Counseling Department and make a report. Note, at MMS we do not monitor our voicemails and emails on nights and weekends.
MMS 605-696-4500
If you receive this information on nights and weekends, you can contact Brookings Police Department and they will send an officer to perform a child well check. If deemed necessary, the PD will contact Brookings Behavioral Health crisis on call for mental health assistance and a suicide assessment will be performed by a trained crisis counselor. 605-692-2113 or 911
What do I do if my child reports that they are having thoughts of suicide?
Students who report having thoughts of suicide often tell me they do not tell a parent about their suicidal thoughts because they are worried about their parent or guardian’s reaction. They are fearful their parent will be upset or that they will get in trouble for having these thoughts. So how should you react? We understand that asking someone if they are having thoughts of suicide can be uncomfortable, but it can be a life saving question. Please check out these resources on how to talk with your child about suicide.
How This One Question Can Help Save Lives
How To Support Someone's Behavioral Health
How To Talk About Mental Health
Additional Mental Health Resources on MMS website
Parent Guidance.org offers a free course What Parents Need To Know About Suicide Prevention
What if my child has an active suicide plan?
As a parent if you become aware of an active suicide plan or if you are worried about your own child's safety you can:
Have an open conversation with your child about suicide. By speaking openly and non-judgmentally about suicide and mental health we let others in our lives know that we’re a safe person to talk to and rely on. If you are having a difficult time asking the question and having the conversation you can enlist a professional by contacting 988 Lifeline . Together call 988 with your child.
Brookings Behavioral Health: Contact BBH for an emergency assessment. Crisis support is available 24/7. (605) 697-2850
Avera Behavioral Health Sioux Falls: When you don’t know what to do or where to go for immediate psychiatric help, come to Avera Behavioral Health Hospital with 24-hour, walk-in access to urgent care for behavioral health needs. Urgent care is available with walk-in access for evenings, weekends and whenever you need us. 605-322-4065
Bring your child to the Emergency Room. If you cannot guarantee your child’s safety, you can have your child admitted to the ER. Brookings hospital contracts with Brookings Behavioral Health for emergency mental health care.
*If your student has an active suicide plan, please see information on means safety and resources. Suicide crises are often short-lived. If you can reduce access to the "means" for someone's suicide plan-such as firearms, medications, or similar objects and substances-a life can be saved. How to Safeguard Your Home
Parenting is hard. Growing up is, too. Avera Behavioral Health is wanting to help strengthen families and is again offering free virtual forums each month. Recorded sessions are approximately 40 minutes in length.
October:
November: