Laura Radtke                       Psychologist                         ext 1218 lradtke@osakis.k12.mn.us

Melissa Berguist                   Guidance Counselor            ext 1304 mberquist@osakis.k12.mn.us

Karen Kamrowski                 Social Worker        ext 1215 kkamrowski@osakis.k12.mn.us

SUICIDE PREVENTION- Please read.  Important!!

The National Association of Mental Illness identifies that between 38,000 and 43,000 people complete suicide a year in the United States.  This article is being written in January, the number one month during the year in which suicides are completed.  As a district and region, we are not untouched by this.  Regionally, there were so many suicides between October of 2016 and March of 2017 that a suicide awareness committee was formed involving school personal, police, funeral personal, county social workers, interested community members, etc.  

Depression and suicidal ideations are prevalent and as a mental health team, we see many students at risk for suicide and we are doing everything we can for prevention.  People experiencing suicidal ideations need help quickly.   Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window.  Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal. People experiencing suicidal ideations need help quickly. 

Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window.  Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal. Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window.  Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal.

What are the suicide clues and warning signs?· Verbal cues

1. “I have decided to kill myself”
2. “I wish I were dead”
3. “I’ve decided to end it all”
4. “If ______ does not happen, I’ll kill myself”
5. “I’m tired of life, I just cannot go on”
6. “My family would be better off without me”
7. “Who cares if I am dead anyway?”
8. “I just want out”
9. “I won’t be along much longer”
10. “Soon you won’t have to worry about me”

1. A previous suicide attempt
2. Acquiring a gun/knives, stock piling pills
3. Putting personal affairs in order
4. Giving away things
5. Drug or alcohol abuse
6. Sudden mood lift (note- mood will lift as a decision has been made)
7. Searching on line for ways to kill self

1. Getting in trouble in school
2. Loss of relationship
3. Experiencing a death
4. Diagnosis of illness
5. Severe punishment

Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window. Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal.

What are the suicide clues and warning signs?

• Verbal cues

1. “I have decided to kill myself”
2. “I wish I were dead”
3. “I’ve decided to end it all”
4. “If ______ does not happen, I’ll kill myself”
5. “I’m tired of life, I just cannot go on”
6. “My family would be better off without me”
7. “Who cares if I am dead anyway?”
8. “I just want out”
9. “I won’t be along much longer”
10. “Soon you won’t have to worry about me”

• Behavioral Cues

1. A previous suicide attempt
2. Acquiring a gun/knives, stock piling pills
3. Putting personal affairs in order
4. Giving away things
5. Drug or alcohol abuse
6. Sudden mood lift (note- mood will lift as a decision has been made)
7. Searching on line for ways to kill self

• Situational cues

1. Getting in trouble in school
2. Loss of relationship
3. Experiencing a death
4. Diagnosis of illness
5. Severe punishment

If your child attempts suicide, self harms, or talks about suicide or wanting to die, it is imperative they get help. An attempt or talk of suicide with a plan or a time frame necessitates getting help with immediacy. As parents, there is immediate help available for you and your child.

1. Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273 TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org
2. 1-800-NAMI-HELPS www.namihelps.org
3. Region 4 South Crisis Team 1-701-364-0431 (in some counties will come to your home, otherwise bring child to ER) Free service
4. Text 741741 for trained crisis counselor
5. If active suicide attempt has been made, bring to emergency room, call police, or call 911
6. Emergency Room
7. Contact local police
8. If not imminent but as a parent you are concerned, please contact someone on the school mental health team. We will check on your child and complete a safety plan. Please also contact the mental health team if you have needed to utilize resources for suicidal ideations or self harm for your child. We want to be able to help and to monitor your child.

What happens if we believe a student is suicidal in school?

We usually learn of a student being potentially suicidal through parents, teachers, or other students. Students may make a comment to another student or a teacher, or may post something on social media (which we become aware of through other students). Once we learn a student may potentially be suicidal, we respond as a team with immediacy. Often, two of us will meet with the student together to make sure we have not missed any steps. If the student is experiencing any ideations or thoughts of harm, parents will be contacted. If the student has a specific plan, has made a recent attempt, or in any way does not seem safe, we will contact parents right away. A staff will remain with the student until safety can be confirmed. We may ask parents to come and get their child. We will then provide suggestions and services to parents to help keep your child safe.

What are the district’s suicidal preventative measures?

• Mental Health staff present on depression, suicide, and suicide prevention to all 7^th and 10^th graders each year. Students are learning to refer friends and are even referring themselves.
• All 7^th and 10^th grade students are screened for depression through a questionnaire every year. Students with elevated scores are met with and further screened by mental health staff.
• Teachers receive mental health training and suicidal prevention strategies
• Mental health staff respond with immediacy to student crisis
• Mental health staff collaborate with outside mental health providers
• Mental health staff complete safety plans with students
• Students are provided counseling and mental health therapy in school

Please remember depression is very treatable.

Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window. Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal.

What are the suicide clues and warning signs?

• Verbal cues

1. “I have decided to kill myself”
2. “I wish I were dead”
3. “I’ve decided to end it all”
4. “If ______ does not happen, I’ll kill myself”
5. “I’m tired of life, I just cannot go on”
6. “My family would be better off without me”
7. “Who cares if I am dead anyway?”
8. “I just want out”
9. “I won’t be along much longer”
10. “Soon you won’t have to worry about me”

• Behavioral Cues

1. A previous suicide attempt
2. Acquiring a gun/knives, stock piling pills
3. Putting personal affairs in order
4. Giving away things
5. Drug or alcohol abuse
6. Sudden mood lift (note- mood will lift as a decision has been made)
7. Searching on line for ways to kill self

• Situational cues

1. Getting in trouble in school
2. Loss of relationship
3. Experiencing a death
4. Diagnosis of illness
5. Severe punishment

If your child attempts suicide, self harms, or talks about suicide or wanting to die, it is imperative they get help. An attempt or talk of suicide with a plan or a time frame necessitates getting help with immediacy. As parents, there is immediate help available for you and your child.

1. Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273 TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org
2. 1-800-NAMI-HELPS www.namihelps.org
3. Region 4 South Crisis Team 1-701-364-0431 (in some counties will come to your home, otherwise bring child to ER) Free service
4. Text 741741 for trained crisis counselor
5. If active suicide attempt has been made, bring to emergency room, call police, or call 911
6. Emergency Room
7. Contact local police
8. If not imminent but as a parent you are concerned, please contact someone on the school mental health team. We will check on your child and complete a safety plan. Please also contact the mental health team if you have needed to utilize resources for suicidal ideations or self harm for your child. We want to be able to help and to monitor your child.

What happens if we believe a student is suicidal in school?

We usually learn of a student being potentially suicidal through parents, teachers, or other students. Students may make a comment to another student or a teacher, or may post something on social media (which we become aware of through other students). Once we learn a student may potentially be suicidal, we respond as a team with immediacy. Often, two of us will meet with the student together to make sure we have not missed any steps. If the student is experiencing any ideations or thoughts of harm, parents will be contacted. If the student has a specific plan, has made a recent attempt, or in any way does not seem safe, we will contact parents right away. A staff will remain with the student until safety can be confirmed. We may ask parents to come and get their child. We will then provide suggestions and services to parents to help keep your child safe.

What are the district’s suicidal preventative measures?

• Mental Health staff present on depression, suicide, and suicide prevention to all 7^th and 10^th graders each year. Students are learning to refer friends and are even referring themselves.
• All 7^th and 10^th grade students are screened for depression through a questionnaire every year. Students with elevated scores are met with and further screened by mental health staff.
• Teachers receive mental health training and suicidal prevention strategies
• Mental health staff respond with immediacy to student crisis
• Mental health staff collaborate with outside mental health providers
• Mental health staff complete safety plans with students
• Students are provided counseling and mental health therapy in school

Please remember depression is very treatable.

Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window.  Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal.

What are the suicide clues and warning signs?

· Verbal cues

1. “I have decided to kill myself”
2. “I wish I were dead”
3. “I’ve decided to end it all”
4. “If ______ does not happen, I’ll kill myself”
5. “I’m tired of life, I just cannot go on”
6. “My family would be better off without me”
7. “Who cares if I am dead anyway?”
8. “I just want out”
9. “I won’t be along much longer”
10. “Soon you won’t have to worry about me”

· Behavioral Cues

1. A previous suicide attempt
2. Acquiring a gun/knives, stock piling pills
3. Putting personal affairs in order
4. Giving away things
5. Drug or alcohol abuse
6. Sudden mood lift (note- mood will lift as a decision has been made)
7. Searching on line for ways to kill self

· Situational cues

1. Getting in trouble in school
2. Loss of relationship
3. Experiencing a death
4. Diagnosis of illness
5. Severe punishment

If your child attempts suicide, self harms, or talks about suicide or wanting to die, it is imperative they get help.  An attempt or talk of suicide with a plan or a time frame necessitates getting help with immediacy.  As parents, there is immediate help available for you and your child.

1. Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)  suicidepreventionlifeline.org
2. 1-800-NAMI-HELPS  www.namihelps.org
3. Region 4 South Crisis Team 1-701-364-0431 (in some counties will come to your home, otherwise bring child to ER)  Free service
4. Text 741741 for trained crisis counselor
5. If active suicide attempt has been made, bring to emergency room, call police, or call 911
6. Emergency Room
7. Contact local police
8.  If not imminent but as a parent you are concerned, please contact someone on the school mental health team.  We will check on your child and complete a safety plan.  Please also contact the mental health team if you have needed to utilize resources for suicidal ideations or self harm for your child.  We want to be able to help and to monitor your child.

What happens if we believe a student is suicidal in school?

We usually learn of a student being potentially suicidal through parents, teachers, or other students.  Students may make a comment to another student or a teacher, or may post something on social media (which we become aware of through other students).  Once we learn a student may potentially be suicidal, we respond as a team with immediacy.  Often, two of us will meet with the student together to make sure we have not missed any steps.  If the student is experiencing any ideations or thoughts of harm, parents will be contacted.  If the student has a specific plan, has made a recent attempt, or in any way does not seem safe, we will contact parents right away.  A staff will remain with the student until safety can be confirmed.  We may ask parents to come and get their child.  We will then provide suggestions and services to parents to help keep your child safe. 

What are the district’s suicidal preventative measures?

· Mental Health staff present on depression, suicide, and suicide prevention to all 7^th and 10^th graders each year.  Students are learning to refer friends and are even referring themselves.

· All 7^th and 10^th grade students are screened for depression through a questionnaire every year.  Students with elevated scores are met with and further screened by mental health staff.

· Teachers receive mental health training and suicidal prevention strategies

· Mental health staff respond with immediacy to student crisis

· Mental health staff collaborate with outside mental health providers

· Mental health staff complete safety plans with students

· Students are provided counseling and mental health therapy in school

Please remember depression is very treatable.

Although, people may experience suicidal ideations chronically, the actual decision to kill oneself is usually very impulsive and within a 10 minute window.  Never leave somebody alone that you believe is actively suicidal.

What are the suicide clues and warning signs?

· Verbal cues

1. “I have decided to kill myself”
2. “I wish I were dead”
3. “I’ve decided to end it all”
4. “If ______ does not happen, I’ll kill myself”
5. “I’m tired of life, I just cannot go on”
6. “My family would be better off without me”
7. “Who cares if I am dead anyway?”
8. “I just want out”
9. “I won’t be along much longer”
10. “Soon you won’t have to worry about me”

· Behavioral Cues

1. A previous suicide attempt
2. Acquiring a gun/knives, stock piling pills
3. Putting personal affairs in order
4. Giving away things
5. Drug or alcohol abuse
6. Sudden mood lift (note- mood will lift as a decision has been made)
7. Searching on line for ways to kill self

· Situational cues

1. Getting in trouble in school
2. Loss of relationship
3. Experiencing a death
4. Diagnosis of illness
5. Severe punishment

If your child attempts suicide, self harms, or talks about suicide or wanting to die, it is imperative they get help.  An attempt or talk of suicide with a plan or a time frame necessitates getting help with immediacy.  As parents, there is immediate help available for you and your child.

1. Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)  suicidepreventionlifeline.org
2. 1-800-NAMI-HELPS  www.namihelps.org
3. Region 4 South Crisis Team 1-701-364-0431 (in some counties will come to your home, otherwise bring child to ER)  Free service
4. Text 741741 for trained crisis counselor
5. If active suicide attempt has been made, bring to emergency room, call police, or call 911
6. Emergency Room
7. Contact local police
8.  If not imminent but as a parent you are concerned, please contact someone on the school mental health team.  We will check on your child and complete a safety plan.  Please also contact the mental health team if you have needed to utilize resources for suicidal ideations or self harm for your child.  We want to be able to help and to monitor your child.

What happens if we believe a student is suicidal in school?

We usually learn of a student being potentially suicidal through parents, teachers, or other students.  Students may make a comment to another student or a teacher, or may post something on social media (which we become aware of through other students).  Once we learn a student may potentially be suicidal, we respond as a team with immediacy.  Often, two of us will meet with the student together to make sure we have not missed any steps.  If the student is experiencing any ideations or thoughts of harm, parents will be contacted.  If the student has a specific plan, has made a recent attempt, or in any way does not seem safe, we will contact parents right away.  A staff will remain with the student until safety can be confirmed.  We may ask parents to come and get their child.  We will then provide suggestions and services to parents to help keep your child safe. 

What are the district’s suicidal preventative measures?

· Mental Health staff present on depression, suicide, and suicide prevention to all 7^th and 10^th graders each year.  Students are learning to refer friends and are even referring themselves.

· All 7^th and 10^th grade students are screened for depression through a questionnaire every year.  Students with elevated scores are met with and further screened by mental health staff.

· Teachers receive mental health training and suicidal prevention strategies

· Mental health staff respond with immediacy to student crisis

· Mental health staff collaborate with outside mental health providers

· Mental health staff complete safety plans with students

· Students are provided counseling and mental health therapy in school

Please remember depression is very treatable.