1. Suicide prevention is the collective effort of school and community resources working together to support our students.
Principal presents opening remarks as to the why of this presentation and introduces support staff.
In our Board Policy states: “Suicide prevention strategies may include, but not be limited to, efforts to promote a positive school climate that enhances students’ feelings of connectedness with the school and is characterized by caring staff and harmonious interrelationships among students.”

2. U.S. Youth with a Mental Disorder During Adolescence (Age 13-18)
EGUSD Grade Span
Topic %
9th-11th NT
Considered Suicide
21%
7th
9th
11th
Experienced Chronic
Sadness/hopelessness
23%
30%
34%
5th
Have had alcohol
Alcohol or other drug Use, Past 30 Days
15% 6%
16%
25%
Used Marijuana
Heavy Drug User, Past 30 Days 1% 5%
10%
41%
National
Prevalence (%)
With severe impact (%)
Anxiety disorders
31.9
8.3
Behavior disorders
19.1
9.6
Mood disorders
14.3
11.2
Substance use disorders
11.4
n/a
Overall prevalence (with severe impact)
22.2
Principal providing national and local data as an awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues.
National data on mental health issues v EGUSD
You may want to insert your site CHKS data on this slide. Site reports are located in Public Folders/Student Support & Health Services/CA Healthy Kids Survey Results or contact Tami Silvera at SSHS and she can send it to you.
Tami to provide 5th grade data

3. Signs of Depression in Children
Irritability or anger
Continuous feelings of sadness, hopelessness
Social withdrawal
Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
Changes in appetite – either increased or decreased
Changes in sleep – sleeplessness or excessive sleep
Vocal outbursts or crying
Difficulty concentrating
Persistent boredom; low energy, fatigue
Reduced ability function during events and activities at home or with friends, in school, extracurricular activities and in other hobbies or interests
Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches.
Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school.
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Thoughts of death of suicide

4. Suicide Warning Signs
Suicidal threats in the form of direct (“I’m going to kill myself”) and indirect (“I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up again”) statements
Suicide notes and plans (including online postings)
Prior suicidal behavior
Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions)
Preoccupation with death
Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings
Artwork or writings that depict death or suicide or extreme sadness
Sometimes students will express suicidal thoughts or desires via writing assignments or art work. If you read something or see artwork that implies or talks about death or suicide, follow your instinct and let your counselor or mental health professional on site take a look at it, it’s NOT over reacting!

5. What to Do When Faced with a Student in Crisis
What to Do When Faced with a Student in Crisis
Myth vs. Fact
Talking about suicide CANNOT plant the idea in someone’s mind.
Be Direct
Be Honest
Actively Listen
Communicate Interventions
Know your Limits
Have resources available
In-School Response Team
Ask the difficult question. “Do you have thoughts of suicide?” “Have you had thoughts of taking your life?”
Ask if the have a plan or have made preparations.
Do have access and means?
Don’t offer unrealistic reassurances.
Provide empathy and be calm.
Paraphrase what you’re hearing them say. This will support your ability to monitor how accurately you are interpreting what the student is saying.
Ensure to inform the student of any pending transitions to lessen anxiety.
Remember, your job is not to act in the role of the mental health professional.
Always provide a student even with minimal or no risk that you are speaking to with a 24-hour crisis number.
Have them put the contact information into their phone if possible.
You are not providing support to the student alone.
Have identified individuals on your site who are working with you to provide linkage of more long-term professional support.
The wider your network of support the more effective you will be in managing the crisis for the student, family and others.

6. What Not to Do When Faced with a Student Experiencing a Crisis
Never leave the student alone or send them away
Don’t be judgmental
Don’t act shocked
Don’t worry about silence during discussion
Don’t rush or lose patience with the student
Don’t promise secrecy or confidentiality
In an effort to provide support be careful that you are not providing your opinions.
There should no debates and conversations with regard to what’s right or wrong, or ethical and unethical.
Do not under react and minimize the student’s experience but do not over react as it may cause the student to shut-down.
Remember they are in a state of chaos and confusion so how you model your emotions is key.
Student’s may be speak or say very little. Do not rush the student.
The student is likely experiencing many confusing emotions or may be unable to articulate what’s happening for them.
In an effort to glean information regarding the crisis don’t promise secrecy.
You want to base the foundation of your relationship on honesty and trust.

7. What Is Mental Health First Aid?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a young person experiencing a mental health challenge, mental disorder, or a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. Youth Mental Health First Aid does not teach people to diagnose or to provide treatment. The program trains and empowers participants to assess for risk of suicide, to listen nonjudgmentally, and encourage professional help.
Think of YMHFA training like CPR training. CPR training doesn’t make you a doctor or a surgeon, but it can help save a life until the medical professionals arrive. YMHFA does not train people to be therapists, but gives them tools and strategies to approach a student in crisis and move them toward help from professionals.

8. Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is a basic public education program that teaches individuals how to help a youth who is in crisis, experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. 
EGUSD will be hosting Eleven YMHFA trainings in Participants must complete all eight hours to receive certification. Salary credit will be available.
Please contact Tami Silvera in SS&HS for more information –
YMHFA is an evidence based program.
Training is 8 hours (mandatory), but can be split into two 4-hour trainings or even four 8-hour trainings.
Each training is limited to 30 participants.
A training schedule is being developed and will be sent out district-wide in the coming weeks by Tami Silvera in SS&HS.
Schools may request a YMHFA training for staff.
Emphasize that anyone can attend the training (certificated and classified personnel are welcome).
The course is designed for adults whom regularly interact with adolescents. Anyone who regularly works or interacts with youth – teachers, athletic coaches, mentors, juvenile justice professionals, campus security, counselors, etc. – may find the course content useful.

10. Please ask staff for feedback, questions, concerns for suggestions.
Thank you!