Suicide Prevention
campbell county school district policy
The Board of Trustees recognizes that risky behavior and suicide occurs among children and adolescents in our country. Students who experience serious depression are unable to benefit fully from the educational program of the school. Moreover, such students pose a danger both to self and possibly to others.
Students identified as participants in risky behavior are in need of appropriate help as quickly as possible. The primary efforts of school personnel working with a depressed or suicidal student are support, parental contact, and referral. To that end, student confidentiality may be waived in life-threatening situations.
To continue reading the Student Suicide Prevention Policy please click on the link POLICY.
Warning signs of suicide include:
Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.
Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
Talking about being a burden to others.
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Suicide can be prevented. While some suicides occur without any outward warning, most people who are suicidal do give warning signs. Prevent the suicide of loved ones by learning to recognize the signs of someone at risk, taking those signs seriously, and knowing how to respond to them.
The emotional crisis that usually precedes suicide is often recognizable and treatable. Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is rather expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had been enjoyable. One can help prevent suicide through early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.
If you are in crisis or are concerned about someone you know, please call or text the National Suicide Lifeline at 988, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or text ENERGY TO 741-741.
Training Requirements for Educators
Wyoming Legislature, requires teachers and school administrators, a minimum of eight hours of suicide prevention training every four years for Wyoming school districts. During the initial school year of employment, if the teacher or an administrator has not had prior suicide prevention training, they shall receive two hours of training. It has been made unique in Campbell County School District where suicide training is available and served to all employees. Below you will find approved suicide prevention training programs and the Jason Flatt Act Bill as well as information on the Jason Foundation.
Resources:
Training OpPortunities for Students
CCSD provides the SOS program at all secondary schools. SOS is a school-based mental health program, designed to help youth navigate the often difficult path of adolescence. SOS programming focuses on prevention through education by teaching students to identify symptoms of depression, suicidality, and self-injury in themselves and their peers. Using a simple and easy-to-remember acronym, ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell), students are taught certain steps to take if they encounter a situation that requires help from a trusted adult. Through SOS, students are taught that suicide is not a normal response to stress, but rather a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression.
Our Mission: HOPE Squads based in our schools aim at identifying, protecting and assisting students in need. Squads consist of peer nominated students approved by staff advisors. Recognition and trust of HOPE Squad members inspire students to freely confide and seek help. HOPE Squads work to change the school culture regarding suicide by reducing stigmas about suicide and mental health and work toward an inclusive school environment.
