Current Events > One of my students attempted suicide.

(+) Yeah! (+)

This is me just typing stuff out to try and process it really.

6th grade.
12 years old.
Because of switching positions I have had him as a student for 3 years.
He lives a few miles from me, I run past his house every time I go for a run.
His mom died last year, so I obviously kept an eye on him since then. Hadn't noticed anything in his behavior lately.
I'm assuming the holiday weekend was pretty hard.
I basically know nothing besides he tried it and he is in the hospital.
Nobody really teaches you how to deal with this sort of thing as a teacher, or really as anyone.

Damn, I can't imagine what it's like to have a student in that position.

Sorry to hear that, TC.

Not sure what you actually can do as a teacher since your responsibility for steering him in the right direction and making good life decisions begins and ends at the school door, but Im glad youre trying your best to help him regardless since like the other guy said, a lotta educators these days arent the type to care about their students personal lives unless it impacts their academic behavior.

Please do keep us posted in any case since I dont care if its somebody Ill never wind up meeting in my entire life, I feel for what both you and your student are going through currently.

As a middle school counselor, this shit is not uncommon. Please take care of yourself. Secondary trauma is real, and as you said this isn't something you are taught to deal with when getting your degree.

When something like this happens are cps immediately involved?

I can't imagine what it's like being a kid these days honestly.

The pandemic seemed to stunt both social, emotional, and academic growth.

Mix that in with the prevalence of social media these kids are raised by and steeped balls deep in -which scientifically makes people more depressed and inadequate

And you have a recipe for a big fuck shit stack

SneakyGoomba posted...

I can't imagine what it's like being a kid these days honestly.

The pandemic seemed to stunt both social, emotional, and academic growth.

Mix that in with the prevalence of social media these kids are raised by and steeped balls deep in -which scientifically makes people more depressed and inadequate

And you have a recipe for a big fuck shit stack

When I was 12 all I wanted to do was draw, roleplay and play video games. >_>

Granted I was pretty sheltered but still, it definitely concerns me what kids are being exposed to these days, even before covid.

Ideally the place that tells you about it also lists outreach sources and stuff you can do to help.

Guessing none of below so maybe social media like TIKTOC has some posts from peers or family

School or school district
PTA
Union
Community: YMCA, church, park district

SneakyGoomba posted...

I can't imagine what it's like being a kid these days honestly.

The pandemic seemed to stunt both social, emotional, and academic growth.

Mix that in with the prevalence of social media these kids are raised by and steeped balls deep in -which scientifically makes people more depressed and inadequate

And you have a recipe for a big fuck shit stack

Don't forget. The holiday season is effing rough for anyone with a less than ideal situation at home. Even a loving family can be bad to go home to and be with for all those days off if a parent has passed.

I came very close to attempting to kill myself several times when I was 12. I think people underestimate how prevalent severe depression is in kids, particularly in tough life circumstances.

COVxy posted...

I came very close to attempting to kill myself several times when I was 12. I think people underestimate how prevalent severe depression is in kids, particularly in tough life circumstances.

My brother whom I care about a lot due to him taking care of me despite him being the younger brother had been at that point on multiple occasions growing up, and thus I take situations like this seriously since you dont truly know what somebody is going through in their life unless they decide to open up and tell you. Glad youre okay now, by the way.

They got a card for us to sign to send to him.

Like what am I supposed to write?

If it were me I'd let him know that it seems hard right now but he'll get through it, and let him know that I was available if he ever needed anything.