Well Aware - Fall 2007 - (Page 1) A Suicide Prevention Bulletin for Missouri School Leaders Academic advantage [prevention programs can enhance learning] A policy bulletin for MISSOURI EDUCATION LEADERS I School Board Members I Superintendents I Principals I Central Office Administration I Guidance Counselors C aruthersville Superintendent Nicholas Thiele wishes he could do more to help youngsters like Chad McCord (see sidebar below). So does retired Imperial Principal Neal Penberthy. Both of these Missouri school administrators have experienced the unsettling jolt of losing high-achieving students to what is almost unimaginable for educators and society alike—suicide. “It was a tough time for us,” recalls Thiele of summer 2006 when the first of five young men in inside WEIGHING IN ON Well Aware this southeast Missouri area took their lives. Two of them were recent Caruthersville graduates, and Thiele felt the need to respond with urgency to Well Aware Missouri Superintendent Nick Thiele responds to student mental-health issues proactively because he knows good mental health equals good academic achievement. take care of his student body in this closely knit rural area. Among his “WORKING TOGETHER, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ” A special message from Missouri Commissioner of Education D. Kent King. initiatives? Forging an alliance between schools and the community to increase awareness about depression, isolation, drug and alcohol abuse—and the risk these bring for suicide. “I wanted to get my administrators educated to watch for signs, to have their ears perk up when factors that can impact academic achievement and student wellbeing come to light,” notes Thiele, an advocate for boosting mental-health awareness and education in schools. Retired 20-year principal Neal Penberthy shares Thiele’s stance. He appreciates concerns that administrators have in bringing mental-health curriculum into the classroom, but is adamant it’s not only necessary and appropriate—but life-saving. “As a former principal, I can understand some concerns administrators have, but there’s a lot of myths out there (about adolescent suicide),” notes Penberthy. As for the loss of two of his students to suicide, Penberthy adds, “If I only would have known then what I know now. I don’t know if I could have helped one child, and I’ll never know. But I’d like to think I could have.” 2 [it doesn’t add up] Missouri high-school students reporting they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. This equates to 40,270 students in our state. SOURCE: 2006 Missouri Student Survey 14.3% Among your best and brightest? [case in point] CHAD McCORD In the top 15 percent of his class at Oakville High School Earned nearly 20 college credits Top athlete with five awards for cross-country, soccer and track Knee injury ended his running and triggered depression He excelled in academics, sports and volunteerism. Yet Chad McCord had mental illness. Chad is an example, say experts, of what may be some of your best and brightest students who grapple with mental disorders that can be fatal. Youth group retreat leader Eagle Scout and volunteer with physically challenged kids Was diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in his senior year A strong-willed child who experienced separation anxiety as a preschooler Attended leadership program in Washington, DC Died by suicide in April of his senior year in high school Volume I | Issue 1 FALL 2007-2008 Devoted To: I Improving academics I Deterring violence I Fostering resiliency I Reducing risk Students in a typical high-school classroom who have made a suicide attempt in the past year. SOURCE: American Association of Suicidology 3 I Enhancing coping skills I Preventing suicide Brought to you by the: Annual number of hospitalizations required following suicide attempts by Missouri youths ages 15-19. SOURCE: 1999-2003 Missouri Fact Sheet from the National Suicide Prevention Resource Center 699 http://caruthersville.k12.mo.us http://dese.mo.gov/commissioner http://dmh.missouri.gov/ada/rpts/06%20MSS%20Final%20Rpt%20Printer%2001-23-07.pdf http://chadscoalition.org http://suicidology.org http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/ http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/statedatasheets/mo_datasheet.pdf
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Well Aware - Fall 2007 Well Aware - Fall 2007 Academic Advantage Among Your Best and Brightest? Weighing In On Well Aware Proactive Engagement Mental Note Lifelines SOS® Signlas of Suicide® Reconnecting Youth C-Care/CAST School Administrator Call to Action 5 Myths About Schools and Suicide Prevention Be Well Aware (Resources and Help) Talk Back Well Aware - Fall 2007 Well Aware - Fall 2007 - Among Your Best and Brightest? (Page 1) Well Aware - Fall 2007 - Weighing In On Well Aware (Page 2) Well Aware - Fall 2007 - School Administrator Call to Action (Page 3) Well Aware - Fall 2007 - Talk Back (Page 4)
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