Jordan
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Going through my life, I always thought that teachers, who basically are the adults supervising children throughout the school day, would have suicide prevention training required as part of their teacher certification. Several state, including New Jersey, do require it as part of their teacher certification (and the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights enhances that training to require lessons on the link between bullying and suicide)
However, as of 2010, PENNSYLVANIA HAS NO LAW REQUIRING TEACHERS TO UNDERGO SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING, according to the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative:
While many have come together for suicide prevention, it simply isn't enough. According to the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights:Presently, suicide prevention education for high school faculty and students is not consistently offered in the commonwealth.
-The Student Assistance Program (SAP) serves at-risk students but does not train school personnel or educate students in suicide prevention
-The Pittsburgh based STAR (Services For Teens At Risk) Center offers periodic teacher trainings in suicide prevention
-County suicide prevention task forces sponsor teacher trainings in some areas.
-Individual schools, school districts, and Intermediate Units occasionally hold trainings
-Individual teachers may address suicide prevention in their classes
As a note, the underlined portion is language that was added in by the Anti-Bullying Bill of Right to a prior act requiring suicide prevention training for teacher certification.The State Board of Education, in consultation with the New Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council established in the Department of Children and Families pursuant to P.L.2003, c.214 (C.30:9A-22 et seq.), shall, as part of the professional development requirement established by the State board for public school teaching staff members, require each public school teaching staff member to complete at least two hours of instruction in suicide prevention, to be provided by a licensed health care professional with training and experience in mental health issues, in each professional development period. The instruction in suicide prevention shall include information on the relationship between the risk of suicide and incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying and information on reducing the risk of suicide in students who are members of communities identified as having members at high risk of suicide.
WE NEED AN ANTI-BULLYING BILL OF RIGHTS AND TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN SUICIDE PREVENTION TO SAVE LIVES. And of course, if anyone who is reading this blog is in imminent danger, PLEASE CALL 1-800-273-TALK. It could save a life.
-Jordan Gwendolyn
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