Multiple Lessons from Multiple Suicides Sandy Austin, Counselor Green Mountain High School Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado American School Counselor Association National Conference – Denver, CO June 26, 2007

Background School Year 9-11 Tragedy – Columbine re-visited School Crisis Plan Revised November 2nd Suicides November 7 – Sophomore male November 12 – Freshman male December 3 – Junior male July 18 – Junior male about to be a Senior

Unforeseen Challenges Upperclassmen left school w/out checking out – didn’t know how or where they were 9 th & 10 th graders – came to Counseling Center Some “took advantage” of the situation to ditch class Administrators – hesitant to discipline

Immediate Response Principal notified District notified – responders notified Crisis Team notified Staff notified Memo to classes Community notified Media issues

Support Offered For Students – in Counseling Center “Safe Room” Individual counseling w/ Counselor Peer Counselors For Staff Counselor in class of deceased student Substitute teachers for teachers impacted EAP Representative

Our Biggest Challenges Changing School Culture Tattling vs. saving a life Classroom presentations/”Tips for Tough Times” cards Confidential Tip Box Suicide Becoming an Option Addressing students’ coping skills

Lessons Learned In implementing our Crisis Response Plan, this is what else we learned: Take student off attendance system Get a picture of the student Clean out locker and give items to parents Memo to classes to be read immediately Determining impacted staff/faculty

Lessons Learned Counselor following student’s schedule Contact previous families after subsequent suicides Teachers must be willing to adapt curriculum Recruit retired administrators and counselors to help

Lessons Learned Have substitute teachers on hand Activities for the classes the student attended Collect student’s work & give to parents Address the empty desk Move to the side of the room – don’t make it disappear, don’t shrine it Collection box on student’s desk

Lessons Learned Viewings/services – coverage Service recommendations to family End of school day Mentally prepare students Encourage parents to attend with students No open mike Ask permission to check notes in coffin

Lessons Learned Memorials No memorial service at school Don’t recommend planting a tree, t-shirts, plaques, tables, “Wall of Death” -- to avoid the glorification of suicide Instead, something off school campus?

Lessons Learned Impact on Counselors Impact on Peer Counselors List of kids to watch Counseling staff debriefing Secretarial staff debriefing

Lessons Learned Differences between summer and school year suicides Communication w/ students & staff Counseling staff unavailable Mental Health agency on-call Support groups Staff Students Parents/community members

Programs Implemented “Confidential Tip Box” Classroom presentations “Tips For Tough Times” Cards Posters for the community Support Groups

Programs Implemented Re-entry protocol Handouts/brochures for students on mental health, etc. issues In-services for staff on suicide Extra Counselor/Interventionist ASIST Training for staff members

Programs Implemented Green Mountain Area Partnership revision of purpose Green Mountain articulation area mental health workers meetings “Truth About Drinking Video” Parent Workshops

Programs Implemented Community Meetings Community Effort – Second Wind Fund Challenge Day “Every 15 Minutes” alcohol program B.I.O.N.I.C. (Believe It Or Not I Care) Team

Questions? For more details on this information, check out Sandy’s book, Crisis Manual for Christian Schools and Youth Workers detailing information for public and private schools in crisis planning. Sandy Austin’s Contact Information: Green Mountain High School W. Green Mountain Dr. Lakewood, CO