Representatives from Communities in Schools will bring their Signs of Suicide program back to campus Friday-Wednesday and Nov. 12-13 to help identify and help teens who might consider suicide.
Juniors will hear the message during their U.S. History classes and complete anonymous surveys regarding their risk of depression. Student will be identified by their identification numbers to protect their privacy.
“We realized the needs that the children were experiencing were much more prevalent, especially in the area of mental illness,” Communities in School program officer Susan Wentz said during the Oct. 23 training with faculty and staff. “We decided to use wholistic prevention to reduce suicides.
The Signs of Suicide program aims to reduce suicide, recognize the symptoms of mental illness, reduce the stigma of depression and spread the word that treatment is available.
Out of the 5,254 students surveyed in Comal ISD this past year, 11 percent received follow-ups after taking the survey, Wentz said.
Putting these numbers into perspective, almost 600 students might be silently suffering. According to the ACT program, ½ of mental illnesses start at the mere age of 14.
The grant coordinator and two classroom presenters will deliver SOS’s message while four to five licensed professional counselors will be on hand to pull those in need for suice assessments.
“They are given an opportunity to talk with someone about their feelings or about another student,” Wentz said.
The presentation is not just for those considering suicide. It also targets their friends and family so they might recognize when someone needs help.
“The warning signs are trouble eating and sleeping, mood swings, irritability and not interested in the same things they usually enjoy,” Wentz said. “Often, there is a history of abuse, drugs and alcoholism.”
Other signs include isolation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, access to lethall weapons and a family history of depression and suicide. Victims also could be dealing with a significant loss or fear of rejection because of their sexual orientation.