Hey Bulls, as some of you may know September is National Suicide Prevention month. Suicidal thoughts or tendencies are similar to health conditions and can affect everyone regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. National Suicide Prevention Month is our time to raise awarness of the crisis that is arising. With the increase in social media use, teen suicide rates have increased by an exponential rate. Although times can be tough, keep in mind that there are people and resources available to give a helping hand and a listening ear.
How our school commemorated this special month is through our National Suicde Prevention Week where we took the time to acknowledge the issue and reach out to those who may need some help. Below I have included some of the occasions that you may have missed throughout the week.
Monday 9/9: Morning Announcement
Tuesday 9/10: Students and staff show their support for Suicide Prevention by wearing purple and/ or teal.
Wednesday 9/11: NO event
Thursday 9/12: Students will be provided with Post-its. Students can write a positive word and “tag” their classmates.
Friday 9/13: Conversation cards will be handed out to students. During lunch in guidance students can create a list of affirmations.
If you did miss out on these little events, no worries. West Boca Raton Community High School has many opportunities for students who feel like they are struggling with their mental health to consult or seek help from what West Boca has to offer. For instance, West Boca also has its very own mental health counselor, Ms. Amaya Mendez. I interviewed Ms. Mendez to see what kind of resources West Boca provides to its students in the case that they feel like they need some help.
Interview Questions:
- What programs or initiatives does West Boca have in place for mental health support and suicide prevention?
West Boca Raton High School, like other schools in Florida, follows state guidelines for mental health support and suicide prevention. The school provides mental health services through qualified counselors and mental health professionals who are trained to assess suicide risk using state-approved tools like the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Additionally, West Boca High School provides co-located MHP (mental health professional) and BHP (behavioral health professional) mental health support. Students, families, and staff members can get mental wellness information, interventions, and support from the behavioral health professional. For instance, last week’s awareness-raising efforts for suicide prevention took the form of announcements, advisory activities, and classroom instruction. Therapy services are offered by our MHP in the form of one-hour sessions during the student’s elective. This service is available to all students without fee.
- How does West boca train staff and faculty to recognize and responds to signs of mental health issues or suicidal behavior in students?
All faculty members are required to complete two hours of youth suicide prevention training every three years, ensuring they are equipped to recognize and respond to warning signs of suicidal behavior and mental health challenges.
- What resources are available for students who are struggling with mental health issues and how can they access these resources?
Students struggling with mental health issues have access to school counselors and mental health providers, who can offer support or referrals to external resources.
- How does West Boca involve parents or guardians in the process of supporting students with mental health challenges?
At West Boca high school we involve parents or guardians in the process of supporting students in many different ways. These may include counseling and support, parent-teacher conferences, and emergency support. Parents are encouraged to work closely with school counselors and mental health professionals to create and follow a plan for supporting their child.
- What strategies does West Boca use to reduce stigma around mental health issues and encourage students to seek help?
To reduce the stigma around mental health, the school participates in initiatives that focus on awareness and education, encouraging students to seek help when needed. These initiatives include the Suicide Prevention Awareness Activites that Ms. Mendez planned last week.
If you or a friend has any questions or concerns please feel free to email Ms.Mendez through her school email: [email protected] or contact the suicide prevention hotline at 988.
