TIPS FOR PARENTS &
TEACHERS
For Parents
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1. |
Know
the warning signs!
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2. |
Do not
be afraid to talk to your child.
Talking to your children about suicide will
not put thoughts into their head. In fact,
all available evidence indicates that
talking to your child lowers the risk of
suicide. The message is, "Suicide is not an
option, help is available."
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3. |
Suicide-proof your home.
Make the knives, pills and, above all, the
firearms inaccessible.
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4. |
Utilize school and community resources.
This can include your school psychologist,
crisis intervention personnel, suicide
prevention groups or hotlines, or private
mental health professionals.
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5. |
Take
immediate action.
If your child indicates he/she is
contemplating suicide, or if your gut
instinct tells you they might hurt
themselves, get help. Do not leave your
child alone. Even if he denies "meaning it,"
stay with him. Reassure her. Seek
professional help. If necessary, drive your
child to the hospital's emergency room to
ensure that she is in a safe environment
until a psychiatric evaluation can be
completed.
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6. |
Listen
to your child's friends.
They may give hints that they are worried
about their friend but be uncomfortable
telling you directly. Be open. Ask
questions.
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For Parents
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1. |
Know
the warning signs!
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2. |
Know
the school's responsibilities.
Schools have been held liable in the courts
for not warning the parents in a timely
fashion or adequately supervising the
suicidal student.
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3. |
Encourage students to confide in you.
Let students know that you are there to
help, that you care. Encourage them to come
to you if they or someone they know is
considering suicide.
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4. |
Refer
student immediately.
Do not "send" a student to the school
psychologist or counselor. Escort the child
yourself to a member of the school?s crisis
team. If a team has not been identified,
notify the principal, psychologist,
counselor, nurse or social worker. (And as
soon as possible, request that your school
organize a crisis team!)
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5. |
Join
the crisis team.
You have valuable information to contribute
so that the school crisis team can make an
accurate assessment of risk.
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6. |
Advocate for the child.
Sometimes administrators may minimize risk
factors and warning signs in a particular
student. Advocate for the child until you
are certain the child is safe.
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Where to Get
More Information
School crisis
teams can get more detailed information in "After
A National Tragedy: Preventing Suicide in Troubled
Children and Youth, Part II: Tips for School
Personnel or Crisis Team Members," at
www.nasponline.org.
NASP represents 22,000 school psychologists and
related professionals throughout the United States
and abroad. NASP's mission is to promote
educationally and psychologically healthy
environments for all children and youth by
implementing research-based, effective programs that
prevent problems, enhance independence and promote
optimal learning. This is accomplished through
state-of-the-art research and training, advocacy,
ongoing program evaluation, and caring professional
service.
National Association of School Psychologists,
4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD
20814, (301) 657-0270, Fax (301) 657-0275;
www.nasponline.org
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