Psyched About School

If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately via 911, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741). September is Suicide Prevention Month! Although September is recognized as THE month to share information and resources about suicide intervention and prevention, it is something that should be talked about all year long. The more we talk about it, the more we NORMALIZE talking about it. If we are able to make these conversations less taboo, individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and/or behavior may be more likely to ask for help without the fear of being judged.  Suicide is preventable, but sadly is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with almost 50,000 deaths occuring by suicide in 2019 [1].  Unfortunately, for youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death [2]. Furthermore, when compared to heterosexual youth, LGBTQ+ youth are thought to be at a...

It has been a hard couple of weeks, y’all.   A shooting on the campus of one of our schools is devastating to the entire community.   In addition to responding to that crisis, your W-S/FCS Student Services personnel (counselors, social workers, psychologists and nurses) were also dealing with suicide assessments, threat screenings, and physical and emotional crises (some of these during other school lockdowns) across the District. Schools are statistically VERY safe places for children but, when school shootings do happen, people start looking for answers.  We all want someone or something to blame.  Gun control and metal detectors are the most common responses.   Research has not proven that metal detectors – or other “hardening” of schools with security guards and cameras – have any positive effect on school safety.  In fact, there is evidence that metal detectors can make our students FEEL LESS SAFE at school.   Additional research su...