Much of the work around suicide prevention in schools involves building in protective factors. These include having a positive school climate, feeling a sense of connectedness to the school, and feeling that diverse populations are respected; these factors are embraced by campus leadership and staff. All campuses are staffed with mental health professionals (school counselors, school-based therapists, and school psychologists). If you would like to know more about efforts at your child’s school, you can contact the campus counselors.
At our elementary schools, specific skills such as building resilience, problem-solving, coping (including conflict resolution), and emotional regulation are taught through guidance lessons developed by school counselors as well as in small groups and/or through morning meeting instruction and activities led by teachers using Second Step. Development of these skills can provide powerful protective factors toward prevention of suicidality.
At Hill Country and West Ridge middle schools, school counselors deliver guidance lessons using Erika’s Lighthouse curriculum.
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Sixth graders receive instruction based on Level I curriculum: We All Have Mental Health, which emphasizes the difference between ordinary, everyday feelings and feeling overwhelmed as well as discusses how to seek help. Explore these ideas at home with the family workbook (Spanish).
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Level II curriculum: Depression Awareness teaches 7th graders to recognize the warning signs of depression and how to self-advocate and seek help. Explore this topic at home with the family workbook (Spanish).
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Eighth graders receive instruction based on Level III curriculum: Depression Awareness & Suicide, which further explores the topic of depression, including key concepts related to self-harm and suicidal ideation. Learn more about getting help in the family workbook (Spanish).
At Westlake High School, the school counselors incorporate suicide awareness and prevention messaging and strategies throughout the year through classroom guidance lessons to each grade level. Reminders for how to maintain positive mental health are included daily in school-wide announcements, and a positive school climate is promoted through various means, including through social media accounts, “Be Kind to Your Mind” activities during Suicide Prevention Week (September), and Student Appreciation Week (March).
All students in grades 6-12 have access to the A Friend Asks app from the Jason Foundation on their school-issued iPads. Suicide prevention is also covered in the high school Health TEKS [115.38(c)(5)(A)(B)]; Health credit is required for graduation in Eanes.
Additionally, all staff are trained in warning signs and risk factors; school counselors, school-based therapists, and school psychologists are all trained to complete a suicide risk screening and follow District protocols.
