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Tuesday, November 24, 2015
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For suicide prevention silence is not a strategy
Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District protocol HELPs students at risk Craig Spence the chronicle
PART 1 OF 2
may not realize how early suicidal ‘ideation’ can take place. Elementary counsellor Trina Norgan says it’s not only distraught teens who need to be
Suicide. It’s a word we don’t like to say – especially when we fear someone we love may be thinking it – as if breaking its taboos might somehow make it real. But at Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District they speak about suicide openly and systematically, because the experts know when you talk Lindsay Wells about it with staff, students, Vancouver Island parents – and especially young Crisis Centre people who may be fixating on it – you save lives. “It’s not an easy conversation to broach,” said SD68 Assistant Superintendent Bob Esliger. “When a student approaches, staff have to have the training and skill to enter into the con- watched-out for. “We see students very young, by Grade 3, versation.” It’s crucial that staff and even making comments about suistudents have a clear idea what cide,” she said, “certainly by needs to be done when they Grade 5 or 6 when students are feel a student is at risk. “We 11 or 12 years old.” Like everyone else who deals want to make certain that staff have a full understanding of our with issues of suicide prevenprotocol and full and complete tion, Norgan came to the same point: if you suspect a child – or training to intervene.” Misconceptions around sui- anyone else for that matter – is cide, who’s at risk and when at risk, you have to ask if they make that a difficult message to are thinking of suicide. “Asking that question does get across, and one that needs to be emphasized routinely. For not prompt students to start instance, parents and teachers thinking about it,” Norgan said.
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Secondary counsellor Scott Christianson agreed. “In my experience when they are asked the question, they generally feel a sense of relief,” he said. It’s not good enough to ask a child if they are thinking of ‘harming’ themselves, either. They might be, and say so, but they might also be thinking of going farther. Students who are showing signs of suicidal ideation, or who are actually talking about it, are often ‘crying out for help,” Esliger said. When the call comes, you need to answer, and know where to get help. That’s where the SD68 protocol kicks in. Staff and students need to know that there are steps that can be taken, which will help students who are at risk, otherwise the likely response for a cry for help will be avoidance. Esliger refers to the HELP acronym, which is part of the protocol: If you are Hurting, or suffering Emotional pain, or Loss, we have to develop a Plan to see you through it. Nanaimo Ladysmith School District has built a close relationship with the Vancouver Island Crisis Society, which operates the Vancouver Island Crisis Line, over more than a decade. Together they have developed an integrated and comprehensive approach. See Suicide, Page 3
Feelings ran high at Ladysmith Council over the idea of a dog park on a vacated BC Hydro substation site at Sixth Avenue and Methuen Street (See story on page 3). But if Golden Retriever Sophie could talk, she’d probably offer enthusiastic support for the idea. Her best friend, Ian Spence was playing frisbee with Sophie at the Transfer Beach dog park Thursday, Nov. 19. Craig Spence
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