Jordan School District launches suicide prevention effort
Jun 15, 2018, 8:21 AM
HERRIMAN — The Jordan School District is taking concrete steps to prevent suicides after the deaths of seven students in the last year.
The Board of Education is using part of its $710,000,000 budget to hire 36 psychologists for each of the 36 elementary schools in the Jordan district. Board member Bryce Dunford told the Deseret News the budget reflects priorities and the times we live in.
42 children, one as young as 10, took their lives in 2017 in the state of Utah and the Board says more mental health experts are needed. Dunford says school principals already wear too many hats.
If there’s any money left in the budget, the district hopes to add more school hall monitors and training for all school personnel.
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-691-5433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsputah.com
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- 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
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- 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 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
