Suicide Prevention & Support
Suicide Awareness
Suicide is a concern in the Rock Island-Milan School District.
Together, we can work to prevent suicide. Experts tell us that students who contemplate suicide give warning signs of their distress. Our community of parents, schools, and public agencies should come together to identify students who are at risk and get them the help they need. If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, or the mental health of their friends, or a child in the neighborhood, please reach out to either community agencies or your school. As a district, as a community, we must maintain our steadfast commitment to the safety of our children.
If you feel that someone is in imminent danger, please call 911 immediately!
Suicide Risk Factors
Certain characteristics are associated with increased suicide risk. These include:
Suicide is a concern in the Rock Island-Milan School District.
Together, we can work to prevent suicide. Experts tell us that students who contemplate suicide give warning signs of their distress. Our community of parents, schools, and public agencies should come together to identify students who are at risk and get them the help they need. If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, or the mental health of their friends, or a child in the neighborhood, please reach out to either community agencies or your school. As a district, as a community, we must maintain our steadfast commitment to the safety of our children.
If you feel that someone is in imminent danger, please call 911 immediately!
Suicide Risk Factors
Certain characteristics are associated with increased suicide risk. These include:
- Mental illness including depression, conduct disorders, and substance abuse.
- Family stress/dysfunction.
- Environmental risks, including presence of a firearm in the home.
- Situational crises (i.e., traumatic death of a loved one, physical or sexual abuse, family violence, etc.).
- Suicide Warning Signs
Many suicidal youth demonstrate observable behaviors that signal their suicidal thinking. These include:
- Suicidal threats in the form of direct and indirect statements.
- Suicide notes and plans.
- Prior suicidal behavior.
- Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions).
- Preoccupation with death.
- Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings.
What to Do
Youth who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly; however, parents, school personnel, and peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep the youth safe. When a youth gives signs that they may be considering suicide, the following actions should be taken:
- Remain calm.
- Ask the youth directly if he or 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 youth alone.
- Remove means for self-harm.
- Get help: Peers should not agree to keep the suicidal thoughts a secret and instead should tell an adult, such as a parent, teacher, counselor or school mental health worker. Parents should seek help from school or community mental health resources as soon as possible. School staff should take the student to the designated school mental health professional or administrator.
Source: National Association of School Psychologists
If you feel that someone is in imminent danger, please call 911 immediately!
Please contact your child’s school for mental health resources available on-site and or to connect you to resources in the community. Below are organizations that work closely with the Rock Island-Milan School District:
Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health
Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) for children and adolescents is a screening program for those who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. The services are available by calling the CARES Crisis Line 1-800-345-9049. You should call CARES when a child is at risk to himself or herself or others and any time you or others think a child is having a mental health crisis.
Robert Young 24 Hour Free Crisis Line 309-779-2999 or 309-779-3001
Transitions Mental Health
Provides Young Adult rehabilitation, employment services and therapy. 309-793-4993.