CYBERBULLYING
With the rise of social media, smart phones and other technological advances that make it easy for information to spread quickly, the issue of cyberbullying has come to the forefront as an area of concern for young people. Perkiomen Valley School District addresses this issue in a number of ways – for example, through classroom instruction focused upon digital literacy and through special presentations with speakers like John Halligan. Below are some links to organizations that can provide you with additional information about this topic.
GRIEF & LOSS
It is not always easy to know how to help children and adolescents cope with grief or loss.
We have compiled some resources below that might assist
you with this topic. Of course, if your child is struggling we hope you will also consider reaching out to any of the counselors or accessing the Student Assistance Programs available in your child’s building. Please read below for information from the National Association of School Psychologists on grief. You can access the full tip sheet that this information came from under the “Articles and Tip Sheets” section below.
Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Support Line: 1-855-634-HOPE
Peter’s Place (Radnor)
SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative is a multi-system collaboration to reduce youth suicide. Youth suicide prevention will be embraced and incorporated into the fabric of every community in Pennsylvania to address the social and emotional needs of youth at risk and survivors of suicide.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
SPRC is the nation’s only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. They provide technical assistance, training, and materials to increase the knowledge and expertise of suicide prevention practitioners and other professionals serving people at risk for suicide. They also promote collaboration among a variety of organizations that play a role in developing the field of suicide prevention.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives – each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. They are investing in groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration projects and critical policy work. And they are expanding their assistance to people, whose lives have been affected by suicide, reaching out to offer support and offering opportunities to become involved in prevention.
American Association of Suicidology
AAS is a membership organization for all those involved in suicide prevention and intervention, or touched by suicide. AAS is a leader in the advancement of scientific and programmatic efforts in suicide prevention through research, education and training, the development of standards and resources, and survivor support services.
Services for Teens At Risk (STAR Center)
Services for Teens At Risk (STAR-Center) is a comprehensive research, treatment, and training center. Funded by the State of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly in 1986 to address adolescent suicide and depression, the program provides individual assessment and treatment to teens that are experiencing depression and suicidality.
The JED Foundation
JED is a national nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
Montgomery County Emergency Services, Inc. (MCES)
MCES is a private, not-for-profit, psychiatric hospital in West Norriton, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. MCES and its talented team of more than 200 professionals provide a range of behavioral health services from its 73-bed facility. For more than 35 years, MCES has been building better tomorrows throughout the Delaware Valley by providing critical behavioral health services for individuals, families, and organizations. Its services include inpatient program, outpatient program, crisis residential program, criminal justice program, crisis intervention, suicide intervention.
Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Taskforce
The mission of the Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Taskforce is to develop and implement strategies to reduce the risk of suicide in Montgomery County through the collaborative efforts of community agencies and service providers.
More Than Sad Program
The More Than Sad Program of the American Foundation for Suicide prevention provides education about factors that put youth at risk for suicide, in particular depression and other mental disorders.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 160 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
Teen suicide is one of the primary themes of the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and has proved a popular program among teens. Please read on for more information about this drama and the impact it is having on viewers.
“Netflix Triggers Online Debate with a Show about Teen Suicide, ’13 Reason Why,'”
New York Times, April 19, 2017
Column: Local Suicide Prevention Experts, Educators Question ’13 Reasons Why”
Chicago Tribune, April 21, 2017
“13 Reasons Why: What Viewers Should Consider”
The Jed Foundation, April 24, 2017
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Perkiomen Valley School District has partnered with Be a Part of the Conversation to offer resources for talking with their children about substance abuse. Visit their website for information and to learn of upcoming parent sessions.
VIOLENCE & TRAGEDY
Supporting Students and Families:
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – English/Spanish)
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)
Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)
Trauma and Disaster Mental Health (American Counseling Association)
After a School Shooting – Resources (American Counseling Association)
General State and Federal School Safety Resources:
National School Safety
PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency – School Safety and Security
Safe2Say Something
PA K-12 Threat Assessment
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency – School Safety Planning Resources