Having a mental health crisis? Wake schools say they want to know to help students.
News & ObserverSep 08, 2022
Updated with mother of
The reality of rising suicide rates hit home on Tuesday with the death of an eighth-grade student at
During a previously scheduled discussion Tuesday on mental health, school officials said it’s important for parents to let health officials contact the district about a student having a mental health crisis. School officials said this will let them develop a plan to help the student transition back to school.
“A lot of the times it has to do with ensuring that parental consent or guardian consent is given,”
Citing federal education privacy laws, the school district has not provided details about the deceased
“Unfortunately it just got to the point where bullying overtook him,” Pendergrass said in an interview with ABC11, The News & Observer’s media partner.
Providing school notification
Suicide rates are rising, with studies from the federal
“We’re seeing more and more young students coming into our emergency rooms with attempted suicide or distress of some sort,” said school board member
Once notified, schools can develop a transition plan for students, said
“We’re providing family support, support for that student and the child the best we can to move forward to keep that child safe and have a healthy life,” Cowell told the board.
But school board member
“You can’t get to education if there are other barriers, and this is a significant barrier,” Carter said.
Pendergrass said she felt powerless as to where to turn or what to do.
“I wouldn’t wish this on any parent but I think they need to make some serious changes in the school system with how they address mental health, how they address bullying,” Pendergrass told ABC11. “Just make sure that we listen, that we listen to our kids and we know what’s going on and just hug your kids a little tighter.”
Mental health and Leandro
All people who work at schools are trained to look for the risk factors and warning signs of suicide, according to Cowell.
Both Martin and fellow board member
“We need people in our schools,” Kushner said. “We need adults in the building to support our other adults and to support our students. The last 2 1/2 years have shown us the need and this community, this state must step up and serve our kids and our adults. And it’s not doing it from
The Leandro plan was developed by an education consultant as part of a long-running lawsuit by school districts to increase state funding.
Kushner, a Democrat, is not running for re-election this year. The mention of the Leandro plan was criticized Tuesday by some of the Republican-backed school board candidates who spoke at the board meeting.
“To use a tragedy to go to statewide politics talking points, you both should be ashamed of yourselves,” said
If you or someone you are concerned about is at risk, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by texting or dialing 988. Or call 1-800-273-TALK.
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