Suicide Prevention Awareness Month serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in supporting one another and preventing suicide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental and behavioral health challenges among adolescents remain a significant public health concern. Talking openly about mental health and suicide can help reduce stigma, raise awareness and connect people with the support they need.
Learn the warning signs of suicide for the people in your life and for yourself. Changes in mood, sleep, or behavior, withdrawing from social connections, or expressing hopelessness can all signal that a person may be in crisis.
Take a moment to check in with someone you care about. Ask how they’re really doing. Listen without judgment. And if you’re concerned, help connect them with a trusted adult or mental health professional.
The Leander ISD Student and Family Support Team is a program available to students (with guardian consent) through district counseling services that provides mental health support to students such as school-based therapy and connection to community resources. The SFST is composed of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Master Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors. To access these services please speak with your assigned student’s counselor or assistant principal and request a SFST referral. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is always available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers to make a difference. Sometimes, simply starting the conversation is a powerful first step to getting the help someone needs.
