June 2019, a piece of legislation was signed to help ensure that Oregon’s most vulnerable students have much-needed support at school to address mental health issues. Governor Kate Brown signed Adi’s Act (Senate Bill 52) into law. The bill requires school districts across Oregon to have a policy in place that addresses youth suicide, and works to destigmatize mental health struggles. The legislation is named after Adi Staub, a young girl who died by suicide last year after struggling in high school with coming out as transgender.

“Adi inspired us in showing the courage to quickly ‘come out’ to classmates, standing in class and asking that others accept her as ‘Aditi or Adi,’ a transgender woman,” says her family. Her self-chosen female name means ‘free and limitless’ in Sanskrit.

In the two years following her transition, Adi blossomed — and struggled. She went from being a straight-A student to failing in school. She suffered from depression and acute body dysphoria. She gained friends, but also lost friends. And while she always had unwavering family support, she made the decision to leave this life.

Adi’s tragedy is, unfortunately, not an isolated story. In 2017, the Oregon Health Authority’s Healthy Teens Survey reported that nearly half of lesbian, gay, or bisexual 8th graders have attempted suicide. It’s the same startling statistic for almost one third of Oregon’s transgender 8th graders.

Senate Bill 52 provides school districts with the tools and resources to promote mental health and suicide prevention and intervention policies. It has a particular focus on high-risk groups, such as LGBTQ youth, students with disabilities, and foster youth.

Adi’s Act will help Oregon schools have more resources and tools to help students feel safe and supported at school.

King, N. (2019, June 19). 'Adi's act' will address suicide prevention in schools. My Oregon News.

Learn more about Adi’s Act

Oregon Trail School District is proposing the following policy:

Suicide Prevention/Intervention/Postvention Plan

Prevention:

Training:

Beginning 2020/2021 school year, all staff members at OTSD are required to complete an online training titled Youth Suicide: Awareness, Prevention, and Postvention

High School- Suicide Awareness and Prevention Presentation to all classes in the fall.

Intervention:

Student Exhibits Risk of Suicide 

Young people can exhibit suicidal behavior in various ways so it is important that staff members take ALL suicidal or any questionably suicidal behavior seriously. It is not uncommon that adults may downplay or minimize these behaviors in youth, especially young children. This is usually due to a lack of training in how to respond to the situation. With the current trends for youth (ages 10-24) suicide in Oregon we must ensure that all staff are properly trained and aware of the steps necessary to ensure the safety of our students, families, and staff. The following is a list of indicators of possible suicidal behavior however, this list is in no way exhaustive and it is important to note that not any single indicator or group of indicators guarantees that a student will or won’t attempt or complete suicide.

• Verbal/written expression of a thought or desire to kill oneself
• Verbal/written expression of a plan of how to kill oneself
• Preoccupation with death and violence
• Drawings that indicate extreme violence or themes of death/dying
• Writings or stories that express a wish, thought, desire to kill oneself
• In-direct verbal comments such as “No one would care if I wasn’t around”, “I don’t want to live anymore”, “I wish I was never born”, “Everyone would be better off if I wasn’t here/alive”.

On rare occasions a student exhibits “life-threatening” behaviors such as:

• Ingesting medication or other harmful substances
• Leaving the school campus after making a suicidal threat
• Threatening to harm self with a weapon
• Demonstrating access to a weapon (e.g. staff observes a gun in student’s jacket pocket)
• Exhibiting self-injurious behavior resulting in serious harm (e.g. stabbing self with knife or choking self with a rope or belt)

Student Exhibits Risk of Suicide (Actions Not Immediately Life-Threatening)

If a student demonstrates suicidal behaviors or any questionable behaviors that are not immediately life-threatening, complete the Student Suicide Risk Referral Form and IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR ADMINISTRATOR.  Do not leave a message, voicemail, text, or email.

The counselor/administrator will meet with the student to determine if the student will be referred for a Suicide Risk Assessment: Level 1. Sometimes a student may make an inappropriate comment or remark about dying or suicide or may exhibit another questionable behavior and it is determined that the student is in fact not suicidal. For example, a kindergartener making the comment “Shoot me! Kill me!” during imaginary play at recess. In this instance other actions may be more appropriate rather than proceeding to a Level 1 assessment such as: 1) discussing appropriate expectations/behaviors during recess, 2) teaching appropriate coping skills for the situation, 3) informing the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the incident and gathering more information, or 4) scheduling a follow-up meeting to monitor the student’s progress. 

Level 1 Risk of Harm Level 1 Screening Form by Trained Screener

A trained screener (Counselor/Administrator/Social Worker//Other) will interview the student using the Risk of Harm Level 1 Screening Form.  Once the form is completed the screener will consult with another trained screener along with to determine whether to proceed to Level 2. The screener will then inform the administrator of the determination. 

Sometimes a student indicates that abuse is occurring in the home and this may be attributing to the student’s suicidal behaviors. If a student discloses abuse a report must be made to the Department of Human Services (DHS)--using the district reporting form--and/or Law Enforcement as soon as possible and no later than the end of the day. DHS and/or Law Enforcement will be informed of the student’s suicidal behavior and will provide guidance regarding whether or not to inform parent(s)/guardian(s) at this time. If the screener is advised not to inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) then the screener will inform the administrator of this decision and the rationale and will document this on the child abuse reporting form.

If parent(s)/guardian(s) are called, they will be informed of the student’s suicidal behaviors and will be asked to meet with the screener in person, to gather further information and assist in the development of a Student Safety/Support Plan  along with the student. Parent will also be given Notification of Emergency Form for parents.

If parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable or refuse to meet with the screener in person they will be asked to participate via phone. If the screener is unable to contact the parent(s)/guardian(s), then the screener will complete the plan with the student and continue to attempt to contact the parent(s)/guardian(s). The screener may request a home visit with the SRO or another screener to review and/or modify the plan with parents. 

A copy of the Student Safety/Support Plan will be filed in a secure location and will be shared in part or full with pertinent staff (e.g. student’s teacher(s), recess monitors, support staff, etc.).

Level 2 Risk Assessment by School Psychologist

The screener contacts the parent(s)/guardian(s) to inform them of the student’s suicidal behavior, gather further information, and assist in referring for further assessment by school psychologist (risk Assessment).  In addition, the team will provide the family with following agencies and request a Release of information(if student has own mental health therapist) to help with collaborating with Student Safety/Support Plan. Parent will also be give Notification of Emergency Form for parents.

• School-based health clinic located in Sandy High School: (503) 668-3483                                                  
• Clackamas County  Behavioral Health Crisis Line (503)655-8585
• Sandy Behavioral Health Center:  503-722-6950
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273- TALK (8255)
• Oregon Youth Line: Text: teen2teen to 839863   Call: 1-877-968-8491  Web: oregonyouthline.org
• Trevor Project LGBTQ Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386

The screener will schedule a time for the risk assessment with the student and family prior to the student leaving.  If risk assessment can be completed that day a student safety support plan may not be completed depending on the timing and urgency of the situation. At minimum the student and family will be given a list of crisis support hotline numbers and the screener will discuss safety measures for home including the removal, or at very least, the securing of access to means (weapons-guns, knives, medication, etc.) and increased supervision. Family will be given a Home safety and supervision tips. If the plan is not completed then the screener will schedule a meeting with the student and family prior to the student’s return to school and complete the plan during the re-entry meeting.

The screener and/or school counselor will collaborate with the School Psychologist regarding the student’s progress and any recommendations for school intervention.

** It is a requirement that parents/guardians be informed of any suicidal or potentially suicidal behavior as soon as possible and no later than the end of day. Sometimes parents do not or cannot respond to phone calls or emails, or cannot otherwise be reached. In this situation the School Resource Officer (SRO) may be notified and requested to make a home visit. The administrator and/or school counselor may also make a home visit to inform parents of the student’s suicidal behavior. The notification of emergency will be given to parents.

Level 3 : Student Exhibits Risk of Suicide (Actions Life-Threatening)

When a student exhibits life-threatening behavior, this behavior can be extremely frightening and upsetting to school staff therefore, it is very important to know how to respond appropriately to the situation so that risk of harm/further harm can be reduced. If a student exhibits life-threatening behaviors DO NOT LEAVE STUDENT ALONE OR UNSUPERVISED unless the student’s actions could cause potential harm to the staff member(s) or others (e.g. student demonstrates access to a lethal weapon by pulling out a gun, large knife, etc. and threatening to harm self and/or others). 

If the student’s actions pose a threat of safety to self and others, then the staff member will attempt to evacuate any bystanders, secure the area, and immediately alert the administrator and/or the School Resource Officer (SRO) who will then call 9-1-1. If the SRO and administrator cannot be contacted then the school counselor and the school crisis team will be alerted, 9-1-1 will be called, and Lock Down procedures will be implemented. The person first on the scene will proceed with QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) protocol if trained and appropriate to the situation. If necessary the staff member will seek shelter and the SRO/Law Enforcement, Administrator, or School Crisis Team will intervene and attempt to secure the student.

If the student does not pose a threat to others (For example, the student is unconscious from an overdose but the risk of injury to staff or others is very low) then immediately Call 9-1-1 and/or the School Resource Officer (SRO), alert the school principal/administrator, counselor, and school crisis team, and provide necessary First Aid. Alert the district Student Services Office for postvention if needed. Once the situation has stabilized, the Suicide Risk Form (Life-Threatening) must be completed and given to the administrator. Prior to the student’s return to school the screener or school counselor will meet with the student and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) for a re-entry meeting--using the Student Safety/Support Plan will be completed at this time and a copy will be given to the student and parent(s)/guardian(s). The plan will be shared in part or whole with pertinent staff 

Postvention:

Grief team put together by Student Services office.

Alert Clackamas County contact person (Galli Murray). Clackamas County will send a support team to district.

IDENTIFY students/staff that may have witnessed the suicide or its aftermath, have had a personal connection/relationship with the attempt survivor or the deceased, who have previously demonstrated suicidal behavior, have a mental illness, have a history of familial suicide, or who have experienced a recent loss.

MONITOR student absentees in the days following a suicide attempt or completion. Groups that may be at higher risk include those who have a history of being bullied, who are LGBTQ+, who are isolated from the larger community, and those who have weak levels of social/familial support.

NOTIFY parents of highly affected students, provide recommendations for community-based mental health services, hold evening meetings for parents, provide information on community based funeral services/memorials, and collaborate with media, law enforcement and community agencies.