1. Austin ISD Counseling Presentation
Be the One:
Know the Signs of Depression
and Tell Someone if You or Your Friends Need Help
Austin ISD Counseling Presentation

2. The Erika’s Lighthouse Curriculum: Depression and Suicide Awareness

3. Reflection
Reflecting back on the video, did you learn anything that surprised you?
What are some warning signs of depression? Which signs indicate that your or your friends need to get help quickly?
What were some ways that the students found help?
What ways can you promote good feelings, help establish healthy behaviors and relationships as you connect with others on social media? Connect with others in real life?
What are some ways that you can help take care of yourself?

4. EMERGENCY Suicide Warning Signs
Talking or joking about committing suicide.
Saying things like “I’d be better off dead” or “I am a burden and people would be better without me.”
Writing stories or posting things online about death or suicide.

5. EMERGENCY Suicide Warning Signs
These are “late stage” warning signs, so you may not have much time to get your friend help:
•Saying goodbye to friends and family as if for good.
•Giving away prized possessions.
•Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themselves

6. It’s okay to ask the question:
Are you having thoughts about suicide?
Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
Are you wishing you were dead?
Remember: You cannot put the idea of suicide in someone’s mind.

7. How to Be the One:
Seek immediate help if you think you are depressed or suicidal!
Contact your School Counselor and Wellness Counselor, Natalie San Miguel
Contact our School Licensed Mental Health Professional, Ron Armbruster at
Contact our on campus therapists, Laura & Leslie at the Vida Clinic
Contact your friend’s parents and let them know your concerns
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline TALK (8255)
Text the National Crisis Hotline at and text the word “Start”
Call 9-1-1

8. Who can I talk to?
How to Be the One:

9. My friend told me that they’re suicidal.
What if they want me to keep it secret?
NEVER keep information about self-harm or suicide secret
Your friend might get upset if you tell someone, but if they are safe, you will have an opportunity to repair the relationship
It is better to have a friend who is mad for awhile than a friend who is hurt or dies

10. What do I do if my friend or someone else online posts on social media about self-harm, depression or suicide?
Take the comment seriously
DO NOT respond, unless you are providing resources
DO NOT share/retweet/etc.
Take a screenshot & use the reporting features of the social media platform AND immediately tell a trusted adult & show them screenshot
You can call Austin’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Team at
That’s HELP
You can also call 911 and ask for a mental health officer to check on them

11. Your School Counselors are trained to help
SCHOOL COUNSELORS A-C 9TH-12TH                    GEOFF HARTER                  D-HM 9TH-12TH                           LEA ANN ROSS                   HN-MN 9TH-12TH                   REBECCA LYONS              MO-SAN 9TH-12TH         SUSAN DEVANEY              SAO-Z 9TH-12TH                          GARETH HORWOOD        WELLNESS COUNSELOR     ​NATALIE SAN MIGUEL       
Licensed Mental Health Professional
Ron Armbruster

12. How to Refer Yourself or a Friend
Contact your child’s School Counselor and Wellness Counselor, Natalie San Miguel
Contact our School Licensed Mental Health Professional, Ron Armbruster at
Contact our on campus therapists, Laura & Leslie at the Vida Clinic

13. Confidentiality What you tell the counselor is confidential
UNLESS you mention:
Hurting someone
Hurting yourself
Someone is hurting you
…then we need to break confidentiality in order to make sure everyone stays safe

14. Good mental health is for everyone
What are your coping skills?
What can you try to do to feel better or de-stress?
How can you improve your sleeping, eating, exercise, or mindfulness habits?
Who can you turn to for help?
Who would you talk to if you were worried about yourself or a friend?
Who is a trusted person in your life?
Pass out Suicide Prevention cards so students can fill out the back

15. Take a picture of this slide!
Life CAN get better and you are not alone
Take a picture of this slide!
Call 911 and ask for a Mental Health Officer
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK (They are available 24/7 to talk.)
CrisisChat.org
Crisis Text Line:
Text “Hello” to (Free, confidential, 24/7)
ImAlive.org
TheTrevorProject.Org
Nopcas.org

16. We Care About YOU!
You and your friends are what make our school such a great place to be.
It is okay to talk to the adults here about the struggles you may be going through.
You are not alone.

17. Uplift yourself & others today
As a closing, we would like each homeroom to create an uplifting message that you will write on a balloon that will later be constructed into balloon banners in each of the hallways for all of our students.
As a collective homeroom, please think of one short, UPLIFTING message for your balloon and for all students.
Choose a student to blow up and tie the balloon and another to write your homeroom message in Sharpie pen (Balloon and Sharpie pen will be in your teacher mailbox).
At some point today, please drop off your balloon and Sharpie pen in room 130.
Thank you for supporting each other!