Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/882783
NASP Guidance for Educators 1. While NASP does not recommend that all students view 13 Reasons Why, it can be appreciated as an oppor- tunity to better understand young people's experiences, thoughts and feelings. Youth who view this series will need supportive adults to pro- cess it. Take this opportunity to both prevent the risk of harm and identify ongoing social and behavior problems in the school community that need to be addressed. 2. Help students articulate their per- ceptions when viewing controversial content, such as 13 Reasons Why. Difficult issues portrayed do occur in schools, and it is important for adults to listen, take adolescents' concerns seriously, and be willing to offer to help. 3. Reinforce that mental health professionals are available to help. Emphasize that the behavior of the second counselor in the series (who ignored warning signs) is understood by virtually all school mental health professionals as inappropriate. It is important that all school mental health professionals receive training in suicide risk assessment. 4. Make sure parents, teachers and students are aware of suicide risk warning signs. Always take warning signs seriously, and never promise to keep them secret. Establish a confidential reporting mechanism for students. Common signs include: • Suicide threats, both direct ("I am going to kill myself," "I need life to stop") and indirect ("I need it to stop," "I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up"). Threats can be verbal or written, and they are often found in online postings. • Giving away prized possessions. • Preoccupation with death in con- versation, writing, drawing and social media. • Changes in behavior, appearance, hygiene, thoughts or feelings. This can include someone who is typically sad suddenly becoming extremely happy. • Emotional distress. 5. Students who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly. However, parents, school personnel and peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep the youth safe. When a student gives signs they may be considering sui- cide, take the following actions: • Remain calm, be nonjudgmental, and listen. Strive to understand the emotional pain that has resulted in suicidal thoughts. • Avoid statements that might be per- ceived as minimizing the student's emotional pain: " You need to move on," "Get over it." • Ask the student directly if they are thinking about suicide. • Focus on your concern for their well-being and avoid being accusatory. • Reassure the student that there is help and they will not feel like this forever. • Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the student alone. • Get help. Never agree to keep a student's suicidal thoughts a secret. Instead, school staff should take the student to a mental health pro- fessional. Parents should seek help from school or community mental health resources. Students should tell an appropriate adult, such as a school psychologist, administrator, parent or teacher. 6. Determine how to handle memori- als after a student has died. Promote memorials that benefit others (donations for a suicide prevention program) and activities that foster a sense of hope and encourage posi- tive action. The memorial should not glorify, highlight or accentuate the individual's death. It may lead to imi- tative behaviors. 7. Reinforcing resiliency factors can lessen the potential of risk factors that lead to suicidal ideation and behav- iors. Once a child or adolescent is considered at risk, schools, families and friends should work to promote: • Family support and cohesion, including good communication. • Peer support and close social networks. • School and community connectedness. • Adaptive coping and problem-solving skills, including conflict resolution. • Self-esteem, and a sense of purpose. • Easy access to effective medical and mental health resources. 8. Strive to ensure that all student spaces on campus are monitored and that the school environment is truly safe, supportive and free of bullying. 9. If needed, ask for support from your district-level crisis team. " Always take warning signs seriously, and never promise to keep them secret. Establish a confidential reporting mechanism for students." — NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS GUIDELINES 67 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 017