Suicide Prevention
As you may, or may not, know, House Bill 51 requires all public middle and high schools to disseminate suicide prevention awareness information to all middle and high school students by early September each year. Monday, September 10th, students at Dixie Heights will participate in a Suicide Prevention Awareness program out of 2nd period classes. Please be assured that district level administrators have reviewed this program, determined that it is developmentally appropriate for this age group, and approved its use in your child’s school.
On September 10th students will participate in activities that will help them become more aware of some signs and symptoms of depression and suicidal thinking. The mental health specialists at Dixie will be available during the day to answer any questions the students may have about the presentation. Students will also be made aware how to access resources for assistance should they identify concerns for themselves or a peer, including talking to a school counselor or trusted adult, which could be you.
If you have questions or concerns about the presentation, please call your child’s guidance counselor to discuss your concerns. Then, if you choose to not have your child attend the presentation, notify us by returning this letter with your child to the guidance office, and arrangements will be made for your child to participate in an alternate activity. This year’s lesson will allow students an opportunity to improve our school culture. Any student who does not return an opt out form will participate in the suicide prevention program. If you would be interested in learning more about our Suicide Prevention Awareness program, please contact your student’s guidance counselor.
If you would like to reflect on your own child's current state of wellness, you are welcome to complete this Suicide Prevention Parent Survey
Please speak with your child or contact your child's counselor if you have any concerns.
We teach students to recognize the following warning signs. Research reveals that individuals with the described feelings, actions, changes or threats are at increased risk for suicide. Recognizing these signs can increase awareness to those who are struggling and help all of us to offer support to those in needs and to lead them to help.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help someone who is thinking about suicide, check out this information from Helpguide.org.
WARNING SIGNS.........
FEELINGS:
Hopeless - "Things will never get better." "There's no point in trying."
Worthless - "Everyone would be better off without me."
Helpless - "There's nothing I can do about it." "I can't do anything right."
Guilt, shame, self-hatred - "What I did was unforgivable." "I'm useless."
Pervasive sadness
Persistent anxiety
Persistent agitation
Persistent, uncharacteristic anger, hostility or irritability
Confusion - can't think straight, make decisions
ACTIONS:
Uncharacteristic agression
Risk taking
Withdraw from friends/activities
Becoming accident prone
Recent losses - death, divorce, relationship, job, status, self-esteem
Getting into trouble, discipline problems
Drug or alcohol abuse
Themes of death or desruction in talk, writing, or websites
CHANGE:
Personality - more withdrawn, low energy, "don't care" attitude or more boisterous, talkative, outgoing
Can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks
Loss of interest in hobbies or work
Marked decrease in school or work performance
Sleep, appetite increase/decrease
Sudden improvement after being down or withdrawn
THREATS:
Statements talking about suicide directly or indirectly, written themes of death, preoccupation with death
Threats - "I won't be around much longer"; writing suicide note, making a direct threat
Plans - giving away prized possessions, making arrangements for a funeral, studying drug effects, obtaining a weapon
Attempts to kill themselves, such as through an overdose