After Benicia teen’s death, high school principal, supe call for counseling, care

Two days before Christmas, Benicia High School Principal Damon Wright sent an email to parents notifying them of a tragedy that had occurred a day earlier:

“Dear Parents,” he wrote, “It is with much sorrow that we inform you that one of our Benicia High School students passed away over the holiday break. Tragically this young man died by suicide. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

“We are very concerned about our community of youth. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for some students. This event may also trigger thoughts of suicide in other youth. We encourage you to check in with your teenagers to see how they are doing.”

Wright went on to provide Web links to resources on teen suicide and grief and said Benicia Unified School District plans to provide counseling services “at all secondary schools” when students return from the holiday break on Jan. 5.

He added, “If you feel your child is at risk of self-injury or in emotional crisis please call 9-1-1 or the Solano County Mental Health Department Crisis stabilization line, 707-428-1131.”

Benicia police Lt. Michael Greene on Saturday confirmed that a boy, 16, died by suicide on Dec. 22. Because he was a minor, no other information was released.

“This is a terrible tragedy and we are all very saddened by the event,” BUSD Superintendent Janice Adams told The Herald.

She added that “anything we can do to prevent this kind of a tragedy is important,” and “I have been in touch with Solano County Mental Health and we will be meeting to see what programs or services we can provide to help prevent anything like this happening again.”

The links provided by Wright:

• Helping Children Cope with Loss: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/griefwar.pdf

While this National Association of School Psychologists document was initially written about loss of life associated with the war in Iraq, the document provides information for parents and teachers on talking to children about death and how to help children cope with grief.

• Suicide Prevention: Information for Parents, Teachers and Caregivers: http://www.nasponline.org/communications/spawareness/suicide_ho.pdf

This NASP document provides some facts about suicide, risk factors and warning signs. It also talks about intervention if warning signs are detected. In intervening, NASP urges directness — “Sometimes when people have your experiences and feelings, they have thoughts of suicide. Is this something you have thought about?” — and admonishes that failing to ask directly may not give the needed permission to acknowledge having thoughts of suicide.

Among the interventions listed, besides providing constant supervision, removing means, and getting help: remaining calm, listening and not judging.

• More NASP tips: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/suicideprevention.aspx

• Teens Helping Teens: Information you may want your teenager to read: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/savefriend_general.aspx

The last of the links that Wright provided focuses on things teens can do to help friends and classmates who are exhibiting warning signs of suicidal behavior.

Greene, Wright and Adams recommended other resources, including Solano County Mental Health Services, available at www.solanocounty.com/depts/hss/mhs/default.asp or via its 24-hour crisis service line, 707-428-1131; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255); and Suicide is Preventable, www.suicideispreventable.org.

Warning signs of suicide (From the National Association of School Psychologists)
• Suicide notes
• Threats; may be as direct as “I want to die” or “I am going to kill myself,” but can be indirect statements like “the world will be better without me” or “nobody will miss me anyway”
• Previous attempts
• Depression, feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
• “Masked” depression, which can manifest itself as acts of aggression, gunplay and alcohol or substance abuse
• Final arrangements, such as giving away prized possessions like jewelry, clothing, journals or pictures
• Efforts to hurt oneself
• Inability to concentrate or think clearly
• Changes in physical habits and appearance, which can include inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, sudden weight gain or loss and disinterest in appearance or hygiene
• Sudden changes in personality, friends and behaviors
• Death and suicidal themes
• Plan/method/access

What to do
• Remain calm
• Ask the person directly if he/she is thinking about suicide
• Focus on your concern for their well-being and avoid being accusatory
• Listen
• Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever
• Do not judge
• Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the person alone
• Remove means for self-harm
• Get help