JACKIE: Resources and policies around support vary from school to school. You may have a designated team for student support, or there may be specific colleagues you’re encouraged to involve, like the principal, counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, or another experienced teacher. You may also be asked to fill out a referral form or keep a log of the student’s behavior.
Support personnel at your school may suggest strategies for helping the student, and you may need to speak with the student’s parents or guardians to share these ideas or facilitate a meeting. When talking with parents or guardians, remember they’re an important part of the team. They have important input in determining what approaches to try with the child.
Though suicide rates among elementary-aged students are low, any threats should be taken seriously. Let’s go over the warning signs for suicide.
Youth Suicide Warning Signs
Having one or more of these warning signs may increase a young person’s risk of suicide:
JACKIE: Never leave a student alone if you’re concerned about suicide. Follow the steps in your school’s crisis response plan and take the student to the appropriate staff member, who will assure that the student receives the help they need. We covered a lot today.
Next, visit your Resources section, which has local information and a printable summary that’s a great refresher on everything we’ve talked about. Then take a survey and receive your certificate of completion. Thank you for the time you put into the classroom and into your students. When you connect with students, you’re doing your part in helping our students and schools achieve their best.