No matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to go through it alone. If you or someone you know wants to talk about any mental health, substance use or emotional concern, Colorado Crisis Services can help, 24/7/365. Just call 844-493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255, and you’ll be connected with a trained professional who will provide free, confidential support, and who can connect you to further resources if needed. Coloradans reached out to Colorado Crisis Services more than 227,000 times last year. No matter your issue or circumstance, this service is for you. For more information, visit ColoradoCrisisServices.org

Colorado Safe2Tell is a free anonymous reporting service that allows students to help stop a friend from committing suicide, get another student off drugs, or stop a bully from making other people miserable.

It is also an invaluable tool to report potential or existing instances of self-harm at school.

Safe2Tell is available 24 hours a day at 1-877-542-7233.

Students that show signs of suicide ideation at school could be subject to a threat assessment. Threat assessments help determine whether a student is in danger of hurting themselves or others. 

If a student is deemed to be a potential threat to themselves, District 60 has resources both in the school and the community to help students, which includes mental health intervention:

• Sources of Strength peer counseling
• “No Bully” bully prevention program
• On-site school counselors
• On-site school Response to Intervention (RTI) Coordinators 
• Community Mental Health Partners
• School-based Health and Wellness Centers

When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority—and are empowered to take the correct actions—we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.

Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret.

Certain characteristics are associated with increased suicide risk.  These include:

• Mental illness including depression, conduct disorders, and substance abuse.
• Family stress/dysfunction.
• Environmental risks, including presence of a firearm in the home.
• Situational crises (i.e., traumatic death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, family violence, etc.).

Many suicidal youth demonstrate observable behaviors that signal their suicidal thinking.  These include:

• Suicidal threats in the form of direct and indirect statements.
• Suicide notes and plans.
• Prior suicidal behavior.
• Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions).
• Preoccupation with death.
• Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings.

The presence of resiliency factors can lessen the potential of risk factors to lead to suicidal ideation and behaviors.  Once a child or adolescent is considered at risk, schools, families, and friends should work to build these factors in and around the youth. These include:

• Family support and cohesion, including good communication.
• Peer support and close social networks.
• School, family and community connectedness.
• Cultural or faith beliefs that strengthen parent/child relations.
• Adaptive coping and problem-solving skills, including conflict-resolution.
• General life satisfaction, good self-esteem, sense of purpose.
• Refusal skills to avoid risky behavior.
• Parent monitoring of social media, computer and cell phone use.

Youth 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 youth gives signs that they may be considering suicide, the following actions should be taken:

• Remain calm.
• Ask the youth directly if he or she is thinking about suicide.
• Focus on your concern for their well-being and avoid being accusatory.
• Listen.
• Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.
• Do not judge.
• Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the youth alone.
• Remove means for self-harm.
• Get help: Peers should not agree to keep the suicidal thoughts a secret and instead should tell an adult, such as a parent, teacher, counselor or school mental health worker. Parents should seek help from school or community mental health resources as soon as possible. School staff should take the student to the designated school mental health professional or administrator.

For specific questions about District resources related to self-harm and suicide prevention, contact the District 60 School Culture, Wellness and Safety office at (719) 549-7285.