unintentional terrorism: braving the issue of teen suicide together - community youth building...

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Unintentional Terrorism

Braving the Issue of Teen Suicide... Together


Team Members

Jennifer Holub Tischer, MVCSD – Middle School Counselor

Doug Shannon, MV Police Sergeant and Crisis Team Member

Pam Ewell, MVCSD Superintendent

Adam Carros, KCRG News Director

Mollie Marti, CEO of Community Resiliency Project


Our Time Together…

Our Story from Different Perspectives

WAMs (Walk Away Messages!)

Toolkits

Q&A


Our Story…

May 19, 2011 MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) - Officials say a third Mount Vernon high school student has committed suicide this school year.District Superintendent Pam Ewell said in an email to parents on Wednesday that the ninth-grade boy died Tuesday. The email didn't say how the boy died. His name has not been released.Ewell says counselors are being made available to students and staffers. The school has around 400 students.A 17-year-old junior died Nov. 18 after his suicide attempt in a bathroom at the high school on Nov. 15. A 14-year-old freshman killed himself at his home last month.Mount Vernon is in eastern Iowa, 11 miles east of Cedar Rapids.


One detrimental theme that quickly swelled through out the community:

“What is wrong with that school, and what is the district going to do about it?!”


Our Story

Through the eyes…

of a

school superintendent


Single Episode: School Crisis Response

Lock down: Practice lock down helped teachers face and remove barriers of “it’s not my job” to respond to crises.

Crisis Team: School, Community Police, Responders

In today’s world…MUST change the ideology of how staff view their role in crises.


WAMs: Administration

• Inform teachers of lock down, purpose, and transition as soon as possible.

• Provide as much recovery support to staff as you do for students.

• Minimize rumors and anxiety with quick, clear, responsible communication with teachers, students, parents, and community.

• Understand that after a public attempt or suicide, the work is just beginning....


TOOL BOX

School Crisis Response Essentials

Communicating with Parents & Community


Our Story

Through the eyes…

of a

police officer andcrisis team member


Crisis Response

School relationship with law enforcement/responders critical.

Failure to plan = Planning to fail!

Empower faculty and staff through training/drills.


WAMs: Crisis Team

• Teamwork! Gather resources to manage crisis.

• Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Be ready for continuation of events.

• How are you? Really?


Student-driven efforts toward recovery have been powerful.

In stark contrast, school media relations were challenging.


Our Story Continues Beyond School Borders…

Schools must educate and guide local media before, within, and after a student suicide.

Reduce contagion while informing.


Our Story

Through the eyes…

of a

news director


Media Coverage

Purpose: reporting news while preventing further harm.

Policy: Do not report suicides except for public incidents.

Information aids crisis control.

Media plays important role in de-stigmatizing mental health.


WAMs: Media

Use Suicide Prevention Lifeline Guidelines to reduce contagion.

Respect privacy of family and friends.

A suicide is not a news story. Trends, prevention and intervention is the story.

Partner with media to promote public safety, change social norms, and distribute resources.


TOOL BOX

Post Crisis Media Toolkit

Guidelines for schools, community, and media.


Our Story

Through the eyes…

of the community


Community Perspective

A text…an email…a phone call.

‘‘Notice: A shooting occurred at the Mt. Vernon H. S. around noon and there is now a lockdown. No other facts are known. Please pray for the victims and the shooter/s, plus safety for all the staff and authorities who must deal with it and, of course, the students in the building at the time. It has been on the news, so keep tuned.’’


The BIG WAM!

Suicide is a COMMUNITY issue…

not a SCHOOL issue.


WAMs: Community

1. Resiliency is about relationships.

2. Every child needs support.

3. Taking the high road pays off.

4. Communication is essential.

5. It’s about the journey, not the finish line.

(Excerpted from 7 Lessons from a Resilient Community available at www.communityresiliencyproject.org)


TOOL BOX

Quick Start Guide to Community Resiliency

Bullying & Teen Suicide Audio

www.communityresiliency project.org


Our Story of Loss Deepens…

Student suicide on April 19, 2011.

Missing student search on April 21.

Student suicide on May 17.


School Response

Use information (social media, Teenscreen, “at-risk” records) to prioritize.

At-Risk Coordinator

Search Institute - staff training

Therapy Dog

Negotiate anniversary dates


School Response

Sources of Strength training

Suicide Ideation Protocol

Joined Linn County Suicide Prevention Coalition

Assisted other schools


TOOL BOX

Sample Crisis Intervention Protocol


Community Response

Thrive Mount Vernon• Suicide Intervention• Youth Building• School Support


Community Response

ECCE Resiliency Model

Engage

Connect

Challenge

Enrich


TOOL BOX

Resiliency Model

More Resources:www.community resiliencyproject.org


We Remember…


Our Story Continues…

Moving Forward


What is YOUR Story…and how can we help?

Question&

Answer


We Are Here to Help

http://www.communityresilien

cyproject.org

[email protected]

[email protected]

unintentional terrorism: braving the issue of teen suicide together - community youth building...

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