Stands For You: Keep mental health at the forefront of your back-to-school checklist

The start of the school year can be stressful for students, and often, a trigger for those struggling with mental health issues.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says the suicide rate in the Coachella Valley is higher than the national average. In 2017 Riverside University Health System reported more than 9,000 Welfare and Institutions code 5150’s for individuals who are considered a danger to themselves or others, or gravely disabled.

Alia Paula is a supervisor for the Youth Hospital Intervention Program. She said there are risk factors you can look out for in your own children.

“If the parent is noticing a change in the child’s behavior–sleeping pattern, eating pattern, socialization pattern–that’s something to be looked at,” Paula said.

Paula also noted that numbers spike as the school year begins, but Desert Hot Springs High School counselor, Alisa Everett stressed mental health issues exist year round.

“We serve students who don’t know if their parents are being deported today, tomorrow, or next week. We serve students that don’t know if they’re going to eat. We serve students whose anxiety rises and falls with their parent’s substance abuse or any number of factors,” said Everett.

That’s why Desert Hot Springs High School implemented the More Than Sad programming put together by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) during this previous school year. District wide, Palm Springs Unified School District has also installed Sprigeo on all student computers, allowing students to report potential safety threats.

Dave Muth from the local chapter of AFSP lost his daughter to suicide in 2016. He has since made trips on behalf of the nonprofit to Sacramento and Washington D.C., sharing his story and pushing for legislation to support suicide prevention.

“Madeline made a lot of changes in this world while she was alive, but she continues to do so after her death,” said Muth.

AFSP is supporting legislation that would create a three digit code connecting people to the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This has passed through the House and Senate and is now awaiting Presidential approval. Statewide AFSP is pushing to have that phone number put on all student identification cards and mandate the More Than Sad programming in schools. Locally, Muth said this has been met by both acceptance and resistance.

“Even though…they have their kids’ best interests at heart, they’re not sure how to do it,” said Muth. “They’re not sure what’s within their discretion.”

Desert Hot Springs High School student body president, Asziah McAfee, said having teachers to rely on has been important for having safe conversations about mental health.

“If you talk to a therapist, then sometimes you only see them once a week, but your teacher, you see them five days out of the week,” said McAfee. “They really make an effort, and you can tell that they’re trustful.”

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to hold annual community walk

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Warning signs of suicide:

Talking about wanting to die Looking for a way to kill oneself Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain Talking about being a burden to others Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly Sleeping too little or too much Withdrawing or feeling isolated Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge Displaying extreme mood swings.

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.

What to do if someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

Do not leave the person alone Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.