September 2024
Topic: Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide Prevention Month
September is Suicide Prevention Month and Suicide Prevention Day takes place on September 10. Although suicide may be an uncomfortable topic for many, it is critically important to talk openly about. Suicide impacts individuals, families, and the larger community, and ensuring that there is evidenced-based support and intervention is crucial to supporting those most closely impacted.
Students with disabilities often struggle with mental health problems. According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health), the intersection of identities is both a source of pride and challenge experienced by many Americans today, and for 61 million people in the US, that includes living with a disability. Having both a disability and a mental illness can be particularly difficult as a student. School age students, both with disabilities and without, struggle with finding their place in the school community and feeling as though they fit in. Not being able to fit in and being perceived as “different” or “less than” can lead to problems with self-esteem, self-image, and can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Coupled with other psychiatric disorders, this can make day-to-day living very difficult and can contribute to suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm.
So what do you do to help a student struggling with suicidal thoughts, attempts, thoughts of self-harm, or self-harming? First, know the warning signs of suicide. Watch for signs that your child or student is becoming withdrawn, talking about death, or displaying signs of depression. Be open and listen to your student’s concerns and issues. Consider the most basic needs of a struggling student – are they sleeping, eating, connecting with friends and family, attending school and social functions? Are they able to identify a support network? If not, check in with the student immediately and with intention. Ensure that the student has choices in how they communicate their feelings and needs – are they more comfortable writing, texting, or talking? Ask the hard questions and be prepared to partner with the student in getting their mental health needs met.
Offer ways to relieve stress, such as participating in extracurricular school activities or engaging in hobbies, using sensory supports, participating in movement and exercise, and spending time outdoors. Make appropriate referrals to both school and community mental health providers and support the student to follow through on appointments. Work closely with the school counselor and social worker to ensure that the student has access to support during the day, has an emergency mental health intervention plan in place as appropriate, and is able to access supportive accommodations when needed. Consider when and if peer-to-peer support may be useful.
If academic performance is poor, perhaps team up with your student’s teachers and work on ways to support your student’s success in the classroom. Seek out IEP accommodations if needed. Consider accommodations that might give your student “brain breaks” during the day, and ensure that the student has easy access to school mental health counselors and the ability to contact their private mental health counselor as needed. Consider altering student workload to help them to better manage the challenge of their mental health concerns. Work closely with the student to make sure that their family is looped in in a way that is helpful and supportive.
The most important thing to remember is that it’s okay not to be okay and mental health is as important as physical health. As we remember those we have lost to suicide, it is important to remember those who are still struggling with thoughts of suicide. Promote surrounding students with those who are supportive of them and encourage them to grow not only as students, but as people as well. If you have an emergent concern about a student’s mental health, or your own, please do not hesitate to engage emergency services by calling the Emergency Mental Health Line at 988 or Medical Emergency Services at 911.
More Resources:
National Alliance on Mental Health: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/Getting-Your-Child-Mental-Health-Support-and-Accommodations-in-School/#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20levels%20of,time%20for%20tests%20and%20more.
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
The JED Foundation: https://jedfoundation.org/
National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq
Safe2Illinois: https://www.safe2helpil.com/
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