Suicide Prevention
As a community, we recognize and acknowledge that mental health is health, and that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in teenagers and young people. As September is National Suicide Prevention Month, we want to share this document as a resource for our families. Our counseling department is here to support your son and provide counseling across social/emotional, college/career, and academic domains. We also will have a separate personal counselor available by arrangement. If you have questions or nonemergency concerns about your son, please always feel free to contact your son’s counselor.
Warning Signs to Look for (adapted from the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide):
F.A.C.T.S.
FEELINGS - Expressing hopelessness about the future.
ACTIONS - Displaying severe/overwhelming pain or distress.
CHANGES - Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, including: withdrawal from friends or changes in social activities; anger or hostility; or changes in sleep.
THREATS - Talking about, writing about, or making plans for suicide.
SITUATIONS - Experiencing stressful situations including those that involve loss, change, create personal humiliation, or involve getting into trouble at home, in school or with the law. These kinds of situations can serve as triggers for suicide.
If you notice any of these warning signs, you can help!
- Express your concern about what you are observing in their behavior
- Ask directly about suicide
- Encourage them to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Involve an adult they trust
Remember, if you have IMMEDIATE concern about someone’s safety, call 911 right away!
Outside Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Nacional de Prevencion del Suicido (Spanish): 888-628-9454
Orange County Suicide Prevention/Crisis Line
Confidential 24-hour telephone counseling to individuals contemplating, threatening, or attempting suicide.
877-7CRISIS (877-727-4747)
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center
Santa Ana Services: Crisis line, outreach and survivor support services for family members of a person who committed suicide.
(714) 547-0855 | https://didihirsch.org/services/
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides resources and assistance to Mental Health professionals serving people at risk of suicide.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1(800) 273-8255 | www.sprc.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Organization with local chapters for suicide prevention movement.
www.afsp.org
HEARD Alliance
Provides resources for treating depression for children, teens, and young adults.
www.heardalliance.org
SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Organization to help prevent suicide.
www.save.org
Teen Mental Health
Provides resources for mental wellness for teens.
http://teenmentalhealth.org/
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide Parent Section
This website’s parent section provides information to help you talk with your teens about suicide or the death of a friend by suicide.
http://www.sptsusa.org/parents/
Jason Foundation Parent Resource Program
This website contains basic information about suicide and how you as a parent or guardian can help prevent youth suicide. It also has a video of a parent and community seminar that includes basic information on suicide and provides awareness and suicide prevention strategies for parents and other adults.
http://jasonfoundation.com/get-involved/parent/parent-resource-program/
We are sharing these outside resources, but cannot officially endorse them. Credit to Irvine Unified School District and Orange Unified School District for compiling and sharing many of these resources.
The Counseling Department of Servite High School offers a comprehensive program that supports all students academically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and vocationally. We accomplish this by providing a compassionate, safe and confidential environment and by advocating on behalf of students to meet their developmental needs.