Suicide Realities | Origin: EC120
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Teacher's Guide to Suicdie Prevention --> Suicide Realities
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Teachers must have the attitude that "time is of the essence" when dealing with suicidal students.
In three decades of being with teens, my opening few minutes are always spent checking my students; get eye contact, and ask how they are that day? It only takes a few seconds, but an adult with an open heart and eyes wide open does make a difference.
I run a Ham Radio Club outside of my Woodworking class time. I never thought of it as an activity that may be helping a student avoid suicidality until today.
Teachers have an amazing role in students' lives to offer support and listen to them. Showing that you care means a lot.
Recognizing that a student is experiencing emotional pain and taking action by giving them the immediate support they need is a plan all teachers should be aware of.
How we respond when faced with a student having suicidal thoughts may be the difference between that student attempting to take their own life or not.
SPTS is a good to connect with. I think being proactive is key to a good interaction with students.
It is important to know all the warning signs of suicide.
Objectively seeking positive/neutral terms for use in discussions never occured to me. It seemed like spinning a concept of encouragement at first. I then realized that it is more a way to destigmatize the conversation and make it an issue that is supposed to be talked about. I will work to change my attitude regarding language and to keep the conversation alive.
Im going to stay in contact with students at risk and try to stay connected, so I can measure their situation.
For me, the number one thing I need to remember is to listen and not try to "fix" the problem.
