As a teacher, you may be the one person in a student’s life with whom they feel safe to talk about their thoughts of suicide. Educators often worry they will not know the right thing to say. The following guidance may help you feel more comfortable talking about suicide.
Effective Communication Skills
Your ability to communicate greatly affects the success of your relationships. Communicating effectively can help you solve problems, accomplish goals, and settle conflicts. The following are simple steps that you can take to improve your skills in effective communication. Use this handout in class to introduce students to effective communications skills, including reflecting openly, making clarifying statements, and asking for more information when needed. Additional resources can be accessed at learn.wellbeing4la.org.
Learning “I” Statements
With “I” statements, students can convey messages in a clear, non-defensive, and nonjudgmental way. Teach your students to use “I” statements to better communicate their needs and feelings without blame. Use this handout with your students to teach them to phrase statements in a way that shares personal perspective and reduces external feelings of judgment or blame. Additional resources can be accessed at learn.wellbeing4la.org.
Talking About Suicide with Friends and Peers
This guide includes a list of community and online resources for coping with the negative mental health effects of COVID-19. Prepared by the Los Angeles County DMH+ UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence and Public Mental Health Partnership. LGBTQ youth may be especially vulnerable to the negative mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as physical isolation may worsen feelings of social isolation and other chronic stressors relating to their identity. Additional resources can be accessed at learn.wellbeing4la.org.
Staying Safe While Staying Connected: Facts And Tips For Teens
This fact sheet provides information to youth about staying safe while they are online. It offers tips about privacy settings and protecting one’s identity. Between cell phones and computers you can stay in touch with anyone, anytime, anywhere. But staying connected has its risks. Posting or sending sexual photos, messages, or videos—what’s come to be called “sexting”—can lead to trouble that can last for years after the message or post is sent.
