Recognizing Students in Distress

1. Recognizing Students in Distress KISD Mandatory Training

2. As an educator there may be a time when a student’s behavior or words causes concern. It is wise to check with your counselor or LSSP just to be safe. However there are some warning signs which suggest a student may need immediate attention.

3. Youth Suicide Statistics • 100+ young people in the U.S. lose their lives to suicides each week. • In the past 40 years, youth suicides have increased by 300%. The Jason Foundation, Inc.

4. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 15 and 24; it is the fourth leading cause for ages 10-14. • More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease combined.

5. Since 1980, suicides among 10 to 14-year-olds have increased by 128%.

6. HOWEVER Suicide is considered the Number 1 most preventable cause of death for ALL individuals. .

7. According to the National Mental Health Association 4 of 5 people who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.

8. Take action if you notice any of these warning signs: • Unusual neglect of personal appearance • Marked personality change like extreme happiness after a marked period of sadness or withdrawal • A change in your relationship for no apparent reason

9. (warning signs continued) • Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork • Giving things away or “tying up loose ends” • Writing or commenting about death or the desire to die

10. (warning signs continued) • Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. (may ask to visit the nurse or want to not participate in school work/activities due to one of these physical reasons) • Change in attendance

11. (warning signs continued) • Loss of interest in pleasurable activities especially ones that the student showed enthusiasm for in the past • Withdrawal from friends • Comments about not being around or no one missing them if they disappeared or went away

12. (warning signs continued) • Violent actions, risky behaviors, rebellious behavior, or running away • Drug and alcohol use

13. An easy way to remember these warning signs is to ask: IS PATH WARM?

14. What should you look for or be aware of in a student?

17. What actions are appropriate for an educator to take? (and what action will most likely make the situation better rather than worse?)

18. A student who is showing the warning signs of possible suicide is a student who may be in a mental health crisis. Texas Family Code § 32.004 states that only “A licensed or certified physician, psychologist, counselor, or social worker…” is authorized to intervene with a minor who may be at risk for suicide or other mental health crisis, and that such a licensed or certified person is not liable for damages. Please keep the student, yourself, and the district safe by following the procedure on the next few slides.

19. PROCEDURE If you believe a student is suicidal, or is thinking about suicide: • Get in touch with a campus counselor immediately. • Do not leave the student alone or in the care of another student. • Get another adult to monitor your class while you escort the student to a counselor’s office.

20. Wait with him/her until you have made contact with a counselor. • Do not leave the student alone or allow him/her to leave the counseling area without a responsible adult.

21. Please check your understanding with the following short review quiz.

22. Which of the following is a sign of possible suicidal ideation? • Themes of violence in writing • Dressing in black • Noticeable change in mood • Substance abuse • a and b • c and d • All of the above

23. Which of the following is a sign of possible suicidal ideation? ANSWERS • Themes of violence in writing – No. Themes of death or sadness may be a warning sign • Dressing in black – No. But a deterioration in appearance may be a sign. • Noticeable change in mood - Yes • Substance abuse - Yes • a and b • c and d – Yes • All of the above

24. Monitor the student closely and if the concerns persist, alert the counselor. Monitor the student closely, be an especially good listener, and give him/her your phone number so s/he will always have someone to talk to. Call the parents, interview them, and suggest a good outside therapist or psychiatrist. Alert the campus counselor immediately and take all necessary steps to ensure that the student meets with the counselor today. Encourage the student daily and focus on the positives. Reduce expectations. Interview the student to find out what is bothering him/her. Be an especially good listener. Assist with problem solving. Which ONE of the following actions is the Katy ISD procedure for helping a student who may be suicidal?

25. Which ONE of the following actions is the Katy ISD procedure for helping a student who may be suicidal? ANSWERS: • Monitor the student closely and if the concerns persist, alert the counselor – No. You should alert the counselor immediately. Don’t wait. • Monitor the student closely, be an especially good listener, and give him/her your phone number so s/he will always have someone to talk to – No. A trained mental health professional needs to be involved so the right intervention can be put in place as soon as possible. Giving a suicidal student your personal phone number may actually delay access to needed help. • Call the parents, interview them, and suggest a good outside therapist or psychiatrist- No. State Statute specifies that only certain professional are authorized to intervene with a minor who may be at risk for suicide. Recommending services outside your area of expertise may have legal implications for you and the district. Instead, take the student immediately to the counselor,. The counselor can determine the quickest, most effective mental health interventions in the community.

26. Which ONE of the following actions is the Katy ISD procedure for helping a student who may be suicidal? • Alert the campus counselor immediately and take all necessary steps to ensure that the student meets with the counselor today. YES!!! • Encourage the student daily and focus on the positives. Reduce expectations. Get the student to the counselor today. Tomorrow you can consult with the counselor regarding any supports needed in the school. • Interview the student to find out what is bothering him/her. Be an especially good listener. Assist with problem solving. No. This is not the time to practice being a good listener. Suicidal thoughts are a potential emergency, and a trained mental health professional needs to be involved immediately.

27. Anyone Special education teacher (i.e., PASS or behavior teacher) Principal Assistant Principal Anyone who previously worked as a licensed mental health provider Coach Campus Counselor Counseling Secretary Nurse Classroom Teacher LSSP Speech Teacher PALS Teacher Anyone with a psychology degree Activity Sponsor Social Worker Which of the following district employees are authorized to provide intervention for a student who is suicidal, or suspected of having suicidal thoughts? (check all that apply)

28. Which of the following district employees are authorized to provide intervention for a student who is suicidal, or suspected of having suicidal thoughts? (check all that apply) Campus Counselor or LSSP or Student Support Specialist All the others listed are important to saving a life. These are the adults who often alert the counselor to the suicidal thoughts. But only someone who has been hired in a role that provides counseling services is authorized to intervene. These are the adults who have been trained in the crisis intervention needed for a suicidal student.

29. Resources • American Association of Suicidology • Jason Foundation • 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

30. If you are interested in additional training AT RISK is an interactive training to help educators learn the common indicators of psychological distress and how to approach a student for referral to the counselor. To access the training, insert https://tx-arht.kognito.com/loginpage.php into your browser Attend QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training to learn more about how to help (no counseling background needed). For next scheduled training, contact Counseling and Psychological Services 281-396-6229

31. Thank you for your help in keeping KISD students safe!