The Coyle Counseling Connection

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. It is dedicated to those lost to suicide, to support those who have struggled and acknowledge those impacted. To help raise awareness and reduce stigma, Care Solace has shared the following information to help families know what signs to look for to better support loved ones.

The first step toward intervention and support is awareness of suicidal warning signs, which include the following changes:

• Behavioral: Withdrawing from friends and activities, giving away personal belongings, self-destructive behaviors, increased substance use, sudden mood improvement after depression.
• Verbal: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being a burden. Talking about death, dying, or wanting to die, making statements like "I can't take it anymore" or "I wish I weren't here," mentioning specific plans or methods for suicide.
• Emotional: Drastic and sudden mood swings, overwhelming sadness, despair, emptiness, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, intense irritability or anger.
• Situational: Recent loss of a loved one, breakup, significant life changes, bullying or harassment, academic or work-related stress, financial difficulties, or other significant personal crises.
• Physical: Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleeping), changes in appetite or weight loss/gain, decreased personal hygiene and self-care.
• Social: Increasing social isolation and withdrawal from relationships, losing interest in social interactions or activities, feeling disconnected from friends, family, and self.
• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, preoccupation with death, dying, or the afterlife, intense guilt or shame.
  

When you notice these warning signs, you should:

• Initiate a conversation about suicide.
• Provide active listening and non-judgmental support.
• Encourage professional help through therapists, counselors, and helplines.
• Involve trusted adults, such as parents/guardians, coaches, teachers, and mentors.
• Create a safety plan in collaboration with the individual.

If you or someone you know is experiencing hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, please seek help with these resources:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: A nationwide lifeline network operating 24/7 to provide free and confidential crisis services. Visit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers support groups and chapters throughout the United States. Visit NAMI
  

For those in need of professional support, consider contacting Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential service provided by San Juan Unified School District. They can help you find a mental health or substance use provider.

• Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
• Visit caresolace.com/sanjuanfamilies and either search on your own or click "Book Appointment" for assistance via video chat, email, or phone.
  

Unified — and with support and compassion — we can make a difference in our community's well-being. Let us stand together to raise awareness, provide assistance, and foster hope for a brighter future.

Each month I will pick a different Social Emotional Learning (SEL) topic that you are interested in learning more about based on the results of the Counselor Survey below. If you have already completed the survey, thank you, I am using your input now to write about topics. If you have not or have more topics you are interested in, please fill out the survey towards the bottom of this newsletter.

You may have heard the term self-regulation but wondered what it really means for your child’s learning and well-being. Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions, behaviors, and attention in different situations. It helps students stay focused, calm, and ready to learn, even when faced with challenges.

Common Misconceptions About Self-Regulation

• It’s just about controlling behavior.
  Actually, self-regulation involves recognizing and managing feelings and thoughts, not just “following rules.”

• Kids either have it or they don’t.
  Self-regulation is a skill that develops over time with practice and support.

• It means being perfect all the time.
  Everyone struggles sometimes; self-regulation means learning how to bounce back and try again.

How You Can Support Self-Regulation at Home

• Create predictable routines. Consistency helps children feel safe and understand what to expect, reducing stress.

• Model calm behavior. Show your child how you manage your own emotions during challenging moments.

• Encourage breaks. Short breaks during homework or activities can help children reset and refocus.

• Use mindfulness or breathing exercises. Simple practices like deep breaths can help your child calm their mind and body.

• Praise effort and progress. Celebrate when your child tries new ways to manage their feelings or focus, even if it’s not perfect.

For our youngest learners (TK–Kindergarten):

• Make a calm-down corner with favorite books or soft toys.
• Use simple breathing games, like “smell the flower, blow out the candle.”
• Keep routines predictable, like regular meal and bedtime times.

For early elementary (Grades 1–3):

• Practice naming feelings together (happy, sad, frustrated).
• Encourage short breaks during homework to stretch or move.
• Try easy mindfulness activities like listening to sounds or focusing on breathing.

For upper elementary (Grades 4–5):

• Help your child set small goals for schoolwork and celebrate progress.
• Teach strategies like counting to 10 before reacting to strong feelings.
• Encourage journaling or drawing about their emotions.

Remember, your calm support and encouragement make a huge difference as your child learns to manage their feelings and behavior.Together, we can help our students build strong self-regulation skills that support their growth and success both in and out of school.

I'd love to hear from you about the information I'm sharing as I want to make sure families are finding it useful. Please feel free to fill out the survey below about the topic above. If you have more specific questions or concerns related to the topic about your own student(s) and/or family, please feel free to reach out to me directly or let your child's teacher know and I can reach out to you.

Counselor Survey