Suicide Prevention Newsletter

During the month of September, we send this newsletter to inform guardians and community members of how Cypress-Fairbanks ISD works to prevent and respond to suicide risk in children and adolescents, and how you can do the same.

What to expect in this newsletter:

1. A look at CFISD's efforts to prevent suicide

2. Information about what you can do to help prevent suicide

CFISD recognizes that suicide is the second leading cause of death for school-age students, and we are dedicated to working with families, community partners, including state and national agencies to prevent youth suicide.

At the community level, CFISD’s Guidance & Counseling, Psychological Services & Police departments discuss and provide mental health resources. Each year, the district hosts a Mental Health & Wellness Fair to connect CFISD families with the wonderful mental health professionals we have in our area. This year's Resource Fair will take place on December 4, 2024, from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM at the Berry Center (see below for the event flyer).

At the district level, specialists in school suicide prevention regularly review research, best-practice recommendations, and legal requirements.

At the school level, CFISD’s suicide prevention program follows a multi-tiered, team-based approach to keeping students safe:

• School Counselors

• Psychological Service Providers

• CFISD Police Officers

• Mental Health Intervention Team

School Counselors: All CFISD campuses have School Counselors who support the academic and emotional needs of their students. New counselors are trained by district specialists in suicide intervention and response procedures. All counselors receive regular updates from the Department of Guidance & Counseling and the CFISD Mental Health Intervention Team.

Psychological Services Providers: District psychological services providers (PSPs) include Licensed Specialists in School Psychology, Doctoral-level Licensed Psychologists, and supervised Doctoral Interns. All new PSPs are trained by district specialists in suicide intervention and response procedures. PSPs receive regular updates from the Department of Psychological Services and the CFISD Mental Health Intervention Team.

CFISD Police Officers: CFISD Police Officers may be included in this process to support individual student safety and help families access resources outside of school. All Officers have training in crisis intervention and a majority have completed TCOLE 4001, a 40-hour mental health curriculum that includes advanced crisis intervention training.

Mental Health Intervention Team: The CFISD MHIT--comprised of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Psychologists, and Mental Health Officers--is tasked broadly with supporting the safety and mental health of students in the CyFair community. MHIT members consult with campuses during suicide risk response and may intervene directly to assist staff and families. The team includes AAS-accredited School Suicide Prevention Specialists.

Click here to find out more about these district professionals and the trainings they receive!

CFISD’s suicide prevention program takes a multitiered, team-based approach to keeping students safe:

• All district staff who interact with students are routinely trained on how to recognize warning signs for suicide and other mental health concerns, and how to respond when they become aware of a potential need for intervention.

• Students, too, receive information annually on recognizing and responding to warning signs in their peers.

• At all CFISD middle and high schools, all student ID badges are printed with the contact information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For more information on TX SB 279 and this state-wide suicide prevention initiative, see the Texas Education Agency's Mental and Behavioral Health support page.

• Students who exhibit certain warning signs are given a screener to identify suicide risk. Once completed, the results of this screener and follow-up recommendations are promptly shared with the guardian in an emergency notification conference.

• Recommended interventions will vary depending on student need, but may include home monitoring and safety-proofing, an individualized school-based safety plan, accessing community resources, or exploring the need for additional ongoing support in school.

• For the highest risk cases, staff may recommend parents seek a full mental health evaluation for their child with a community provider. Staff will work with parents to find appropriate and available options for this service.

• When a student is hospitalized due to a mental health concern, school staff will work with the student and guardian to ensure that there is sufficient emotional, behavioral, and academic support for that child upon return to school.

• District specialists in school suicide prevention regularly review research, best-practice recommendations, and legal requirements to ensure that CFISD’s prevention program remains robust and effective.

The CFISD 2024-2025 Student Handbook outlines the procedures and professionals involved in the district’s suicide prevention program, and parents are encouraged to read the section pertaining to this topic: Suicide Risk Prevention and Intervention (section 5.1) .

Suicide can be prevented. We recognize that sometimes there are clear signs that a child needs mental health support; however, it’s not always obvious and we shouldn’t expect them to always ask for help directly. It is important that parents and other caregivers be aware of the common warning signs of suicide. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the following signs are indications that your child may be at immediate risk:

• talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself

• looking for a way to kill oneself (for example, searching online to obtain a gun)

• talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose

If you notice any of the above three warning signs, you should immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact a mental health professional.

Click here to find out about other signs that may indicate your child or youth is at serious risk.

CFISD produced a 3-part video series for parents (linked below) to help you learn the warning signs, ways to respond if you are concerned, and how to work with your child’s school to get support.

It is important to take steps to keep children safe at home. Increasing monitoring and limiting their access to potentially lethal means are two vital steps to protecting those who have exhibited warning signs. Below you will find a brief guide to suicide prevention and controlling access to lethal means.

Click here to find the nearest Controlled Substance Public Disposal Location.

You can connect with the many mental health professionals in the Cy-Fair area at CFISD's annual Mental Health & Wellness Fair.

In addition to the mental health professionals at the campus and district level, there are several local, state, and national organizations dedicated to preventing suicide. Click on the links below to learn more.