Suicide Prevention

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority, and are empowered to take the correct actions, we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.

Most suicidal youth demonstrate observable behaviors that signal their suicidal thinking. These include:

• Suicidal threats in the form of direct ("I am going to kill myself") and indirect ("I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up again") statements.

• Suicide notes and plans (including online postings).

• Prior suicidal behavior.

• Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions).

• Preoccupation with death.

• Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings.

• Extreme withdrawal from friends and family.

Sometimes students report to counselors suicidal thoughts or other indicators that warn of suicide. Other times it is a student's friend or teacher who reports their concerns to a counselor, who then meets with the student to investigate these concerns. We deeply appreciate and depend on these reports. In both cases the counselors evaluate the situation, contact the parents, and make referrals to the appropriate resources. In addition to responding to individual students’ needs around the issue of suicidal thoughts as they arise, counselors are also addressing this topic in various ways. To spotlight a couple of examples:

On September 8-14 students will be engaged in activities during lunch to build awareness and to learn of ways to cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and suicide ideation. You may view the weekly activities here.

Throughout the school year counselors will be providing classroom guidance lessons to students to address suicide prevention, mental health, and healthy choices. In addition students will have the opportunity to participate in a small group. Small groups are conducted in 4-week sessions and are offered each semester. Group topics may address issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem, and healthy coping skills. Information about how to sign-up for a small group will be pushed out later in the semester.

Suicide rarely happens without warning. As a peer, you may be in the best position to recognize when a friend might need help and help them get it. You may see signs in person, hear about them secondhand, or see them online in social media. Never ignore these signs.While suicide is typically associated with the pain of mental illness (in particular depression and associated feelings of helplessness and hopelessness), there are sometimes specific situations that trigger suicidal actions such as breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, failing in school, being bullied, or experiencing abuse, loss or other trauma. It is important to learn these warning signs and what to do if you see any them in yourself or a friend. Suicide is preventable. By listening, talking, and acting you could save a life. When a youth gives signs that they may be considering suicide, the following actions should be taken:

1. Know the warning signs!
2. Do not be afraid to talk to your friends. Listen to their feelings. Make sure they know how important they are to you, but don't believe you can keep them from hurting themselves on your own. Preventing suicide will require help from adults.
3. Make no deals. Never keep secret a friend's suicidal plans or thoughts. You cannot promise that you will not tell-you have to tell to save your friend!
4. Tell an adult. Talk to your parent, your friend's parent, your school counselor-- any trusted adult. Don't wait! Don't be afraid that the adults will not believe you or take you seriously-keep talking until they listen! Even if you are not sure your friend is suicidal, talk to someone. This is definitely the time to be safe, not sorry.

Parents should always take any reference to suicide or warning signs of suicide seriously. Never ignore these signs. If your child exhibits any of the signs parents should follow the above guidelines and then seek help from school or community mental health resources as soon as possible. If your child is in immediate risk parents should take them immediately to an emergency room for evaluation.

If your child is aware of a friend expressing or exhibiting warnings signs that indicate immediate risk, parents can contact their local law enforcement agency and ask for a welfare check on that student. It is extremely helpful if you can first obtain an address or location of the student who is at risk. Law enforcement personnel will go to the home to assess the situation.

See the infographic below.

If you or someone you know is thinking of dying by suicide, get help immediately.