Author: Carrie Jackson

Counseling Corner

Topic: Suicide and Cutting; March 5, 2015

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Confidentiality
COUNSELORS ARE BOUND BY CONFIDENTIALITY, MEANING WE CANNOT CALL PARENTS OR SPEAK WITH TECHERS ABOUT ANY INFORMATION UNLESS IT INVOLVES:
HARM TO SELF
Harm to others
Abuse or neglect
Suicide and cutting is considered harm to self and we always call parents when having discussion with students about these topics.
If we or Ms. Reynolds are off campus, you must inform an administrator and a parent must be called that day. Please notify the appropriate personnel immediately so action can be taken.

Stats and Signs

FACTS:
F-Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, extremely sad, lonely, or anxious all the time
A-Actions of aggression, abusing drugs or alcohol, engaging in reckless behavior, writing or talking about suicide
C-Changes in behavior, personality, sleeping, eating, suddenly withdrawn
T-Threatening suicide, giving away possessions, making a plan, suicidal attempts
S-Situations occurring such as suicide of a friend or family member, recent loss, changes in life that feel overwhelming

“Awareness without action is a successful lawsuit waiting to happen.”

School Protocol

*Students will be seen day of an adult on campus becoming aware that a student has expressed suicidal thoughts or is cutting.
*Student is interviewed by a trained risk evaluator (counselor, social worker, school nurse, psychologist).
*Parents are called and in some cases made to pick up child from school.
*If student is at moderate or high risk, student must be seen by a mental health provider outside of school.
*All Onslow County paperwork must be completed same day.
*On the reverse is the Onslow County Risk Assessment flow chart illustrating our procedures.

Don’t stress...it will be here soon

According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of deaths among children ages 10-24 and is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 12-18. This results in 4,400 deaths per year. In addition, for every suicide there are 100 attempts. The suicide rate among men is four times higher than it is among women. Women have more suicide attempts but men have more actual suicides, primarily because men chose a method of suicide that is more lethal.