Safe Schools

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities to come together and raise awareness about the importance of hope, available help, and the possibility of healing.

Durant Safe Schools recognizes that suicide is the second leading cause of death for school-age students, and we are dedicated to working with parents, community partners, and state agencies to prevent youth suicide.

The aim of this newsletter is to address some common questions you may have about suicide prevention. It’s important to know that positive social support from home is one of the best protections a child can receive.

Nationally, about 1 in 5 people meet the criteria for a mental illness in a given year while about 1 in 25 experience a serious mental illness in a given year. Possibly because of the stigma surrounding mental health challenges, two in three people with a mental illness do not seek treatment. In Oklahoma specifically, we experience some of the highest rates on mental illness in the US. To put this in perspective, Oklahoma ranks 3rd in the nation for rates of any mental illness, 2nd in the nation for substance-abuse disorders, 2nd in the nation for serious mental illness.

Taken together, the challenges with mental health in Oklahoma put the state ranked among the highest in the nation for rates of mental health issues with, nearly a million Oklahomans with a mental health or substance-abuse challenges.

It turns out that one in four people will experience a mental health condition over the course of their lives. Half of these conditions begin before age 14, and 75 percent before age 26. This means that to prevent negative mental health outcomes, we need to look early at our kids’ overall emotional well-being.

Part of the work of parenting is to actively keep the communication lines open by building trust. Children who trust that their feelings will be heard and validated are more likely to share with their parents. Children who feel they’ll be punished or dismissed are more likely to reach out to peers instead—or avoid asking for help at all.

To cultivate trust and invite openness, keep your child’s perspective in mind. Things that seem trivial to you may feel dire to your child. Show respect for the things that bother your children, even as you help them learn how to keep things in perspective.

Physical health has a big impact on mental well-being. Healthy habits are important for every child, but they’re an even more critical part of how to help a child with mental illness. Encourage habits like:

• Getting enough sleep
• Eating regular, nutritious meals with fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean protein
• Limiting processed sugar and junk food
• Moving every day (exercise or play)
• Attending regular health care check-ups
• Limiting screen time

While there are sometimes clear signs that a child needs mental health support, it’s not always obvious and we shouldn’t expect them to always ask for help directly. It is important that parents and caregivers be aware of the common warning signs.

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, contact a mental health professional.

The Durant Safe Schools Program takes a multi-tiered system of support approach to ensure the safety and well-being of students. This includes implementing prevention and intervention programs, having Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors serving the students and families, providing professional development for faculty & staff, and educating and informing parents/caregivers. The Durant Safe Schools Program strives to help the overall mental health and safety of students.

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, please reach out to the school counselor. They can assist you and your child in accessing any necessary prevention services and support.

• Learn the warning signs of suicide
• Get informed about local suicide prevention resources
• Use your social media to promote suicide prevention campaigns
• Take care of your mental health
• Support a friend, if you know is struggling

• Do not counsel a person yourself, seek professional help

• Take suicidal statements seriously

• Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you suspect that a person is in imminent danger or says they are considering suicide, stay with them and call 988, get help IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait until things “blow over” or calm down.

• Call 988 or take the youth to an emergency room or walk-in clinic
• Never leave the youth alone – wait with the youth until help arrives

Staying informed about resources

• 988 IS THE NEW NUMBER TO CALL 988 is a direct, three-digit lifeline that connects you with trained behavioral health professionals that can get all Oklahomans the help they need. If you are feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or suicidal, call 988. An operator will listen to what’s going on, talk you through next steps, and connect you the specific type of help you need.

• 988 Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.

• Crisis Text Line Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed.

• Choctaw Nation Behavioral Health Services Durant Regional Medical Center 580-920-2100. Providing a variety of mental health services for adults, adolescents, and children. Call to make an appointment at any Choctaw Nation health clinic for an evaluation or counseling session. Psychiatric services will require a referral from a primary care provider.

• Youth Crisis Mobile Responses When a young person is in crisis—behavioral or emotional, physical or social, at home or at school—we can help. Our caring call center specialists will help talk through the “what’s going on”—big or small. We’ll work to provide support over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And we can connect the young person (child, teen, or young adult) with local mental health professionals who can come to their home in 1- to 24 hours.

• Veterans Crisis Line: 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.

SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT

safeschools@durantisd.org

The mission of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program is to help ensure that children are mentally and physically ready to learn and have healthy and supportive families, and to promote a safe community by equipping individuals with skills, knowledge, standards, and resources to live healthy lives.