Well Aware - Fall 2007 - (Page 4) WE’LL GET SUED. Landmark court cases have shown that schools have a duty to warn and refer youth at risk. Staff and student training in prevention can help with recognizing and helping those at risk. SAYING SUICIDE TO STUDENTS WILL GIVE THEM IDEAS. Research has shown that asking someone if they’ve considered harming themselves can actually alleviate distress. (see page 2 story) 1 Well Aware A Suicide Prevention Policy Bulletin for MISSOURI EDUCATION LEADERS I School Board Members I Superintendents I Principals I Central Office Administration I Guidance Counselors Volume 1, Issue 1 Fall 2007 2 3 5 MYTHS ABOUT SCHOOLS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION from NEAL PENBERTHY, Sp.Ed.Ad., retired School Principal and past president of Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals THERE’S NO TIME TO TEACH THIS. Incorporating suicide prevention into existing health curricula means little additional teaching time is necessary. 4 I’M SO UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS. Suicide is a tough subject, but one that needs to “come out of the closet” with too many youths dying unnecessarily by their own hand. Well AwareTM is delivered four times each academic year to school administrators and leaders throughout Missouri. Well Aware is produced in cooperation with the Missouri Dept. of Mental Health and ACT Missouri. Funding for this newsletter is made possible, in part, by the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, grant SM57386 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. The views expressed in Well Aware do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Views expressed in this newsletter are those of the person being quoted and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial advisory board or publisher. Although great care had been taken in compiling and checking information in this publication to ensure accuracy, Point de Vue Communications Inc. and its servants or agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for the continued currency of the information or for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies, whether arising from negligence or otherwise or for any consequences arising therefrom. This newsletter is not a substitute for consultation with health care providers on issues related to specific conditions or situations. 5 THIS DOESN’T BELONG IN SCHOOLS. Schools have the mandate to educate and protect students. Suicide prevention should be part of that. Be well aware [resources and help] Being proactive in suicide prevention can reap real rewards for schools. The Dept. of Mental Health and the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education are here to help. We’re partnering to bring you tools to make your school a safer, healthier place for all, and to offer resources to address unmet needs for staff development. FREE TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE Is funding a barrier to implementing suicideprevention training that could protect both students and staff? The Missouri Dept. of Mental Health (DMH) has Regional Resource Centers for Suicide Prevention across the state that provide free training for school personnel including QPR, a program listed in a Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention (sprc.org). Centers provide presentations for your student body to encourage help-seeking behavior. Contact the Resource Center in your region or contact Scott Perkins, DMH Youth Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator at 573-751-8155 or Scott.Perkins@dmh.mo.gov. Brought to you by the: MISSOURI REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION 1 2 3 4 NORTHWEST 660-562-2755 WESTERN 816-472-9012 WEST CENTRAL 573-634-3000 SOUTHWEST 417-781-4031 5 6 7 8 SOUTH CENTRAL 573-751-8155 SOUTHEAST 573-624-1607 EASTERN 314-963-7571 NORTHEAST 660-665-4612 In partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Published by: COMMUNICATIONS INC. [talk back] 629 North 8th Street, Suite 203 Sheboygan, WI 53081-4502 P 920 457 4077 F 920 457 4011 © Point de Vue Communications Inc. Copyright usage dictated by SAMHSA 45 CFR92.34 and the PHS Grants Policy Statement What is your biggest barrier to implementing a suicide-prevention program in your school? Risk and legal concerns time … resources … training comfort level … support from school board and parents? Let us know at talkback@wellawaresp.org. And tell us what you think of the Well Aware newsletter, a suicide-prevention policy resource for Missouri school leaders and administrators. 4 WELL AWARE MISSOURI VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 © Point de Vue 2007 FALL 2007-2008 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/10/images/20041021-3_w9w5126jpg-515h.html http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/cps/issues/suicide/ResourceCenters.htm http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/ http://dese.mo.gov http://dese.mo.gov http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/ http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/cps/issues/suicide/ResourceCenters.htm http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/cps/issues/suicide/ResourceCenters.htm http://dese.mo.gov/ http://sprc.org http://pdvpr.com
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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