Talking about wanting to die
Looking for ways to hurt oneself
Feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live
Talking about being a burden to others
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Acting anxious or behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or feeling isolated
Extreme mood swings
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
Giving away prized possessions
JCPS Prevention and Support Services
Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook
Students’ safety and well-being are of the utmost importance to all JCPS staff members. The current major public health concerns for children and youth concerning substance use, mental illness, bullying, suicide, and racial trauma are of high concern for the district as well. Currently, JCPS has several preventative and intervening measures in place to address bullying, suicide, addiction, and mental health needs.
Students at an increased risk of substance abuse or suicide-related behavior may also be dealing with a multitude of social and personal factors. Certain populations, including adolescents, LGBTQIA populations, as well as some racial and ethnic minorities, are at an increased risk for bullying and social isolation. Everyone should be familiar with warning signs of self-harm or distress and intervene immediately.
Warning signs include the following:
If you recognize these warning signs, it is recommended that you seek help immediately by calling your child’s physician or school counselor. If you are a student and worried about a peer, talk to a trusted adult immediately about your concerns. In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Parents, caregivers, and family members are a vital part of any young person’s life and are an important support for the young person who may be facing difficulty in life. Other proactive factors that assist with decreasing a student’s risk for self-harming or inappropriate behavior include strong peer and community connections, early detection and treatment of mental illness and/or substance use, and access to evidence-based mental health and substance-use prevention and treatment services. Specific resources, training, and district supports related to bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and addiction are provided below. Families, students, and JCPS staff are encouraged to access these resources at the first sign of concern. Again, student mental health and well-being are paramount to their success and a priority of JCPS.