Showing posts with label suicide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suicide. Show all posts

HearMeWA statewide reporting system focuses on the safety and well-being of young people

Saturday, June 15, 2024

No problem is too small to report to
HearMeWA
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the launch of HearMeWA, a first-of-its-kind statewide reporting system exclusively focused on the safety and well-being of young people.

HearMeWA removes barriers to help young Washingtonians get the help they need to deal with their most pressing challenges: bullying, social pressures, suicidal thoughts, threats of violence, or anything that makes life hard. 

No problem is too small to report to HearMeWA, which was created with direct input from the young people it serves.

HearMeWA makes it easy to connect youth to a wide range of existing support services, by offering a direct line to a national crisis center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Reports can be made by phone, text, online or in the HearMeWA mobile apps available in the Apple or Google stores. Once a report is filed, highly trained crisis counselors triage them and connect the person with service providers who can help.

Youth mental health is in crisis. Data show that eating disorders in adolescents more than doubled from 2018 to 2022. The rate of young people dealing with depression doubled from 2009 to 2019, to nearly 16%. According to Forbes, 57.7% of Washington youth with depression do not receive mental health services.

HearMeWA can help youth with a variety of challenges, such as:
  • Bullying;
  • Mental health struggles, such as depression or anxiety;
  • Suicidal thoughts;
  • Domestic violence;
  • Housing or food insecurity;
  • Gender identity;
  • Threats of violence or rumors of a school shooting;
  • Anything that makes life hard.

From the start, young Washingtonians from across the state have been directly involved in the creation and outreach for HearMeWA.

Members of the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group meet quarterly to offer feedback on how to build trust and get the word out about the program. The Youth Advisory Group also consulted on branding for the program, including the name. Other youth have participated in surveys and focus groups to offer feedback on the program.

How to file a report to HearMeWA

Anyone with information about risks or potential risks to the safety or well-being of youth can call the toll-free, statewide number at 888-537-1634 or make a report online by visiting HearMeWA.org and clicking the “send a tip” button. Youth can also text HearMeWA to 738477, or file a report on the app available in the app store on their mobile device.

Youth up to age 25 and any concerned adults can file a report with HearMeWA. Identifying information such as name, age or address are optional, meaning youth can file anonymously if they choose.

Unlike other crisis hotlines, HearMeWA allows anyone filing or responding to a report to track it and provide updates. That means help is not cut off once the first call or communication ends. Every individual who files a report is given a tip ID and password to review the report later, either online, on the app or by phone.

What happens when you file a report to HearMeWA

When youth or a concerned adult files a report to HearMeWA, it is immediately received by a highly trained crisis counselor with the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center. The counselor makes contact with the individual, talks through the details of the incident and triages it based on the level of urgency. 

The most urgent reports that threaten someone’s life or safety are routed to 911 or emergency responders. If a school is identified in an incident, such as an active shooter threat, the school is simultaneously notified.

Less urgent incidents are triaged to a wide range of other types of responders. Responders include:
  • Schools, where youth could be connected with counselors, social workers, nurses or other trusted adults in their community;
  • Regional crisis lines or 988, the national suicide prevention line;
  • Local law enforcement and emergency responders;
  • Child protective services;
  • Other community-based resources.This range of responders makes HearMeWA the first of its kind in the country. 
About the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center

HearMeWA triages all its reports through the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center. This crisis center runs similar programs in other states, and is the only crisis center dedicated solely to school-based, anonymous reporting.

The Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center already serves 3.5 million youth across the country. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“Every minute of every day, the crisis counselors in the National Crisis Center are here to connect young people to live-saving and life-changing resources whenever they’re in need, no matter what issues they’re facing,” said Crystal Garrant, chief program officer at Sandy Hook Promise. 
“All young Washingtonians have the right to physical and emotional safety. HearMeWA will provide a lifeline, ensuring that young people have a trusted adult to turn for help 24/7/365.”


Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit that operates the crisis center, educates and empowers youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes and communities. It is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.

All of Washington’s 39 counties were represented in the Youth Program Team’s outreach. It affirmed that communities, especially in rural areas, lack sufficient trusted resources for dealing with the broad range of challenges youth face. Often underserved communities do not have an alternative to calling 911 when they need help. Additionally, some youth say they know there are resources out there for them, but they are located somewhere other than where they live.

HearMeWA helps fill those gaps, and also addresses a range of issues that are not suitable for a 911 call, such as housing insecurity or bullying.

To file a report or learn more about HearMeWA, visit HearMeWA.org.


Read more...

Follow-up to death on NB I-5 at 185th

Friday, December 22, 2023

King county police report that the death on I-5 Thursday evening December 21, 2023 (see previous article) was the result of a woman who either jumped or fell off the NE 185th overpass onto northbound I-5 where she may have been struck by a vehicle.

Police responded to a 911 call at 6:14pm to the King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center reporting a person who either jumped or fell off the NE 185th Street overpass onto northbound I-5.  

She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

KCSO Major Accident Reconstruction Detectives were called to the scene to investigate the incident.  

The King County Medical Examiners has identified the victim as a 28 year old Shoreline resident. 

Map of incident from WA State Patrol
Washington State Patrol, which has jurisdiction over state highways, reported the death as a hit and run, saying that the deceased landed in lane two where she was hit by a vehicle traveling northbound in lane two and that vehicle continued northbound away from the scene.

Further information revealed that a vehicle struck this person, pulled over and then left the scene northbound on I-5.
 
Witnesses described the vehicle as a boxy, silver compact vehicle that would have front end and undercarriage damage.
 
WSP detectives are seeking anyone that has in car video or any other information that would help identify the vehicle that was involved. 

Please contact Detective Early at Todd.Early@wsp.wa.gov

 

Read more...

9-8-8- Lifeline has a hotline for veterans - dial 988 then press 1

Sunday, November 12, 2023

In Washington state, the three-digit dialing code 9-8-8 connects callers to suicide prevention and crisis support specialists.

People can connect with the #988Lifeline to discuss a lot of things: drug use, anxiety, sexual orientation, economic worries.

Interpretation is available in 240 languages, and specific hotlines are available for veterans, Spanish-speakers, LGBTQ+ youth, and American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org


Read more...

988 Lifeline is there when you need it

Thursday, October 5, 2023

In Washington state, the three-digit dialing code 9-8-8 connects callers to suicide prevention and crisis support specialists

People can connect with the #988Lifeline to discuss a lot of things: drug use, anxiety, sexual orientation, economic worries.

You are not alone. Connect with us. #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention @988Lifeline

9-8-8 suicide prevention and crisis support lifeline available in 240 languages

Interpretation is available in 240 languages, and specific hotlines are available for veterans, Spanish-speakers, LGBTQ+ youth, and American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org


Read more...

Free suicide prevention training - help someone who may be struggling

Monday, September 18, 2023


Attend a FREE suicide prevention training to learn more about how to help someone who may be struggling.

Go to http://allpreventsuicide.org/free-trainings to find out more information and to register.

People tend to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment. Because of this, it’s important to learn the warning signs of suicide, self-harm, and substance misuse. If you or a friend is struggling, you should reach out to talk to someone right away. Anyone experiencing a crisis can dial 988 or utilize text and chat functions to connect with a trained counselor.

Washington was the first state to pass legislation in 2021 to implement the hotline and use it for more than just a crisis hotline. Washington also operates the Native and Strong Lifeline, dedicated to providing Native crisis counselors who are tribal members and can more adeptly connect with the community.

Any Washington State agency or partner organization is free to use some or all elements of HCA’s Suicide Prevention Toolkit to promote suicide prevention month and share state and national resources.



Read more...

Op-Ed: Vote Yes on Proposition 1, the Crisis Care Centers Levy

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Lake Forest Park resident and North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) member Alison Carver generously shared the following personal story in order to encourage residents to vote YES on Prop. 1, the Crisis Care Centers Levy. 

To learn more, click here Vote by April 25th!
~~~

Vote Yes on Proposition 1, the Crisis Care Centers Levy. If approved, this proposition would fund behavioral health services and capital facilities, including a countywide crisis care centers network; increased residential treatment mobile crisis care; post-discharge stabilization; and workforce supports.

I don't share this information lightly but with the hopes your vote can prevent another unbearable loss.

My beautiful, talented, and brilliant daughter died by suicide on October 8th after numerous interactions with the broken mental health system in Washington State. She was seemingly thriving with a promising career, friends and her own apartment.

In the months before she died, she was transported to Harborview on numerous occasions, strapped in a four point restraint, left in a cart in a hallway in the ER, administered a dose of Haldol, then released the following day with no follow-up care. 

She was released from an involuntary 110 hour hold by a King County Judge, against the advice of her care team, doctors and social workers, again with no follow up care. She talked constantly about the trauma of being restrained and the physical scars the restraints left of her wrists and ankles.

I believe access to a walk in Crisis Care Center, staffed with trained medical teams, would have saved her life.

Please vote YES on Proposition 1. Ballots are due April 25th.


Read more...

988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

988 Fact: It’s OK to not say who you are or where you are when you call, text or chat 988. 

The 988 Lifeline is here for you.
 
If you are a LGTBQ youth, press “2” to talk with someone from the Trevor Project.



Read more...

It’s a Wonderful Life and Major Jimmy Stewart

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

By Doug Cerretti

One of the many things we do during the Holidays is watch Christmas movies. It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart is on the top of my list. 

It’s a Wonderful Life is an example of the darker post-WWII movies reflecting the experiences of WWII. 

The movie was released in 1946 to mixed reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office, in part due to this dark nature with a theme of suicide during Christmas, “you're worth more dead then alive,” as Mr. Potter said.

Maj. Jimmy Stewart
Over the years, of course, it become a Christmas and cinema classic. 

This was the first movie Major Jimmy Stewart made after returning home from WWII. 

You may not have known that Stewart pulled strings to become a pilot in the Army Air Corps (he was too old) and additional strings to fly in combat (who wants to have a movie star KIA under your watch?). 

Stewart was a B-24 Bomber pilor
Stewart was assigned to the 8th Air Force as a B-24 Bomber pilot, 703rd Squadron Commander and 445th Bomb Group operations officer. 

He flew 20 missions over Europe and felt responsible for every airman that was lost under his command. 

Like many veterans he carried this emotional load home and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) although it was not recognized then. 

So when you watch It’s a Wonderful Life or any post-WWII jimmy Stewart movie think about this nuance. 

Below is a link to an article by Dave Kindy published December 2020 about Jimmy Stewart’s war years. 

Just another reason he is one of my favorite actors.

Dave Kindy (12/21/2022) Jimmy Stewart Owed His Most Memorable Holiday Performance to World War II.

Photos from HistoryNet.com



Read more...

988 Lifeline license purchase supports suicide prevention for veterans

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Veterans advocates, mental health experts, and state agencies convened this week to reveal a new license plate emblem available for Washington drivers: “988 Lifeline – There is Hope!” Emblem funds support veteran suicide prevention efforts.

Washingtonians are invited to purchase a new license plate design to support suicide prevention. The new “988 Lifeline – There Is Hope!” license plate emblem was unveiled Tuesday by the state departments of Licensing and Veterans Affairs and Health. The new plate costs $18 and proceeds support veteran suicide prevention efforts.

Nearly one in five veterans lives with post-traumatic stress disorder, and veterans are lost to suicide disproportionately. Approximately 125,000 American veterans have been lost to suicide since 2001.

Gov. Jay Inslee accepted a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) challenge two years ago with a goal to reduce veteran suicides. Establishment of the 9-8-8 veteran support option and public awareness campaigns may let veterans know they have someone to call in a moment of crisis. Purchase and display of the new license plate may save a life.

988 is the nationwide, three-digit dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, introduced in July of this year. (see previous article)

The 988 dialing code connects people via call, text, or chat, to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. 



Read more...

Nationwide dialing code 988 suicide and crisis lifeline

Saturday, July 16, 2022

OLYMPIA -- 988 is the new, nationwide, three-digit dialing code for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

The 988 dialing code connects people via call, text, or chat, to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. 

988 is the newest addition to the state’s network of crisis center providers and will not replace any crisis call centers in Washington. 

The current NSPL number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will remain active along with the new 988 dialing code.

“Thanks to the many partner organizations and agencies who have made this resource possible,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “In the same way 911 transformed our ability to respond to emergency safety or health situations, 988 will transform our ability to connect people to help in behavioral and mental health crisis situations.”

Text messaging
In addition to activating a new dialing code for anyone experiencing suicidal or mental health-related crisis to call, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline also allows text messaging as part of increasing access to services for youth and individuals with different abilities. 

Contact on behalf of a loved one
People can also dial or text 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 will be available 24/7 and is free and confidential.

250 languages
Call services will be available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in over 250 languages. Spanish speakers may reach the Spanish Language Line by pressing 2 after dialing 9-8-8 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Text and chat services are available in English only.

Veterans
Veterans and service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing 9-8-8 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

Native and Strong Lifeline
Soon, Washington will also be able to launch a Native and Strong Lifeline, dedicated to serving Washington’s American Indian and Alaska Native individuals.

Deaf / hard of hearing
People who are deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users should use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.

Background
Made possible through the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is the first of a series of expansions to NSPL services, and includes House Bill 1477 (E2SHB 1477)

Signed by Governor Inslee last year, the bill expands Washington’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response System and suicide prevention services and designates the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Health Care Authority (HCA) as lead agencies, alongside a new 988 Coordinator position under the Governor’s Office. 

The multi-year phased rollout of changes includes increasing options for youth and adults to receive help while in crisis and strengthening the state’s ability to provide culturally, geographically, and linguistically appropriate services.

DOH and HCA expect an increase in call volume as estimated by Vibrant Emotional Health, the National Administrator of the NSPL and 988.

Staffing 
To meet the expected increase in call volume, NSPL crisis centers increased hiring and recruitment efforts, trained over 132 individuals to provide NSPL counseling and support for 988 programs, and anticipate hiring another 20 or so positions. Those interested in a career helping people in crisis can apply for a job with an NSPL crisis center.

For more information, visit the 988 webpage.



Read more...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Friday, September 3, 2021

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 5-11 is National Suicide Prevention Week. 

Suicide is often related to mental health issues, so supporting suicide prevention also helps address the mental health problems we face today. 

Most importantly, talk about mental health issues with others and know how to relay the proper resources (e.g., 800-273-TALK, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat, etc) when people need them.

Lifeline Chat is a service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat. All chat centers in the Lifeline network are accredited by CONTACT USA. Lifeline Chat is available 24/7 across the U.S.

Fundraiser by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention · donate here.



Read more...

State law changes will affect policing in Lake Forest Park

Monday, August 9, 2021

LFP Police Chief Mike Harden. The police
department will present its training to the
City Council at the council’s regular business
meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 7pm
By Tracy Furutani

“We will still provide service,” said Lake Forest Park Police Department Chief Mike Harden. “[However], it will look different.”

The Washington State Legislature passed a series of police reform bills in this year’s now-concluded legislative session, and they are beginning to take effect. 

Specifically, House Bills 1054 and 1310 change the threshold at which law enforcement officers may take certain actions, such as pursuing suspects and using physical force.

Many of the changes in tactics specified in the new laws are already policy within the LFP PD. 

“We have no ‘no-knock’ warrants,” said Operations Lieutenant Rhonda Lehman, referring to the practice of police entering a home without first knocking and identifying themselves. 

Similarly, “we don’t use tear gas,” she said. One of the new laws restricts the use of tear gas to riots, hostage situations and barricaded subjects.

However, some other changes in the laws will make it “harder for victims to get help,” said Lehman. “It makes it easier for the criminal to escape.” Because the standard for using physical force to detain a suspect is higher, the LFP PD will err on the side of letting a suspect go, she explained.

Harden gave an example of a hypothetical situation in which a family with a small child is involved in a traffic accident, where the family’s car is struck by a hit-and-run driver and the child is injured. The police are quickly summoned, and one of the parents gives a vehicle description to the responding officer. 

“An officer may attempt to stop the vehicle described, and if they stop, great; if they flee, we may no longer pursue,” said Lehman. “Why didn’t you go after the bad guy?” is the question that will result, said Harden, and the officer will say it is due to the new policies.

State Rep Javier Valdez (D-46)
State Representative Javier Valdez (D-46), whose district includes Lake Forest Park, said in a statement, 

“We all share the goal of keeping everyone safe, whether it’s members of the community or the men and women in law enforcement. There is some confusion about what new police reform laws mean or don’t mean, and a lot of misinformation out there. Nothing in the new state laws prevents police officers from responding to calls to service.”

In Valdez’s view, “House Bill 1310 creates a statewide standard for the use of force. House Bill 1054 bans dangerous police tactics and unnecessary military equipment from being used by law enforcement.” 

And, further, “the state attorney general is working on clearing up any ambiguities and misunderstandings about certain provisions and is developing a model use of force policy. And if there are issues that do need to be clarified with new legislation, I will support those efforts. Such legislation is typical whenever large reforms are passed.”

Some of the changes in the laws and policing policies will have an effect on other first-responder agencies, who rely on police protection while performing their jobs.

The Northshore Fire Department, which serves LFP, is working with other first responders on a “model” procedure to accommodate changes to the laws, according to Deputy Chief of Operations Doug McDonald. “There should be no changes in the level of service we provide,” he said.

Brook Buettner, program manager for
North Sound Response Awareness
De-escalation and Referral (RADAR)
The new laws brought some positive changes to social service providers. House Bill 988, for instance, will establish a single 988 number for suicide prevention next year, said Brook Buettner, the program manager for North Sound Response Awareness De-escalation and Referral (RADAR), a program set up by a consortium of north King County cities to provide services to people undergoing a behavioral health crisis. 

RADAR deploys Navigators, a group of on-call mental health and social workers to bring their services to people experiencing crises.

“I’m proud of north King County doing [this] work before the national movement,” said Buettner. “Navigators are more necessary than ever, especially with these legislative changes.”

The LFP Police Department will present its training to the City Council at the council’s regular business meeting on Thursday, August 12 at 7pm. The public is invited to attend the meeting.



Read more...

Learn the basics of Suicide Prevention and Intervention in this online class

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Learn the basics of Suicide Prevention and Intervention in this online class presented by Shoreline Community College.

How do I ask if someone is having thoughts of suicide? 

What do I do if they say yes? 

Join facilitator Cydney Lucio, MSW, LICSWA, and find answers to these questions in How to Help: Suicide Intervention and Prevention, a new online class offered through Continuing Education at Shoreline Community College.

Students will leave with a beginner’s understanding of suicide prevention and intervention and explore the tools needed to better notice warning signs, improve active listening skills, and understand safety planning. Whether you have some understanding on the topic, or none at all, everyone is welcome.

Fee: $29
Dates: Tuesday, April 6th, 2021
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Click here to view the full details for this course and register today! Please contact continuing-ed@shoreline.edu for more information.



Read more...

Helping students work through adversity - free presentation Thursday


For Shoreline Schools families:

“An Evening with JC Pohl - Five Keys to Building Student Resiliency”
Thursday, March 25, from 7:00 – 8:30pm

COVID is affecting student life every day. Teen suicide is on the rise. Mental health continues to be a concern. And students are feeling more and more disconnected from their peers.

In the face of such overwhelming stress, how can we help our students work through the adversity they regularly face?

JC Pohl, the President and CEO of Teen Truth, is an award-winning producer and nationally certified counselor. He offers five proven and immediately applicable ways to help students build self-efficacy and resilience.

These keys to building resilient students might save the next suicidal student, help ignite campus culture, or remind every struggling child that brighter days lie ahead.

A question and answer roundtable session will follow Mr. Pohl’s presentation, which will include middle school and high school principals, district counselors and community partners.

This free event is co-sponsored by the PTSAs of Shorewood, Kellogg, Einstein, Shorecrest and the Shoreline PTA Council.

Registration is required. Sign up HERE. Interpreter services are available upon request during registration.



Read more...

Grand Opening of the Shoreline HEROES' Café

Monday, March 22, 2021

Local veterans at the grand opening of the HEROES' Café
Photo by Chief Petty Officer Ron Jones

By Raymond W. Coffey

The Shoreline Veterans Association, an ad hoc Committee of the Shoreline American Legion Starr Sutherland Jr. Post #227, is pleased to announce the GRAND OPENING of the New Shoreline HEROES' Café.

The event was held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at the Shoreline Scottish Rite Hall 1207 N 152nd St,  Shoreline 98133. The SVA has a year's lease for the second Tuesday of each month at Scottish Rite.

Veterans gather in the new HEROES' Café
Photo by Chief Petty Officer Ron Jones

The mission of the Shoreline HEROES' Café is to bring veterans from the greater Shoreline area from ALL Military Services (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, the new Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Merchant Marines) to gather in a friendly and informal setting to talk over their common military experiences, to hold honors of award recipients, to celebrate birthdays and to hear about local Shoreline area businesses that can and do support veterans.

Veterans in attendance are served coffee/teas and other refreshments and lunch from the local area Chamber of Commerce businesses. The history of the HEROES' Café across the country has shown a dramatic drop in veteran suicides when HEROES' Cafés are established. 

This is a major goal of the Shoreline HEROES' Café. 

The Shoreline HEROES' Café is open on the second Tuesday of the month from 9am to 1pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2021. 

For additional information contact Raymond Coffey, Chair of the Shoreline Veteran’s Association and Director of the Shoreline HEROES' Café at Starrsutherlandjrpost227@gmail.com



Read more...

Shoreline PTA Council and all four secondary school PTSAs sponsor a session on Building Student Resiliency

Tuesday, March 16, 2021


For Shoreline Schools families: 
“An Evening with JC Pohl - Five Keys to Building Student Resiliency”
Thursday, March 25, from 7:00 – 8:30pm 
 
COVID is affecting student life every day. Teen suicide is on the rise. Mental health continues to be a concern. And students are feeling more and more disconnected from their peers. 

In the face of such overwhelming stress, how can we help our students work through the adversity they regularly face?
 
JC Pohl, the President and CEO of Teen Truth, is an award-winning producer and nationally certified counselor. He offers five proven and immediately applicable ways to help students build self-efficacy and resilience. 

These keys to building resilient students might save the next suicidal student, help ignite campus culture, or remind every struggling child that brighter days lie ahead.
 
A question and answer roundtable session will follow Mr. Pohl’s presentation, which will include middle school and high school principals, district counselors and community partners. 
 
This free event is co-sponsored by the PTSAs of Shorewood, Kellogg, Einstein, Shorecrest and the Shoreline PTA Council. 

Registration is required. Sign up HERE. Interpreter services are available upon request during registration. 
 


Read more...

Suicide of Shorewood sophomore shakes both sides of the district

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

A 10th grade student at Shorewood, Christopher Herrin, grade 10, died by suicide on January 27, 2021. He had attended middle school at Kellogg on the east corridor, then Shorewood for high school on the west corridor.

Christopher Herrin, previously known as Christopher Wickersham, attended Bay View Elementary School in Burlington, Washington for eight years. His teachers there remember him with great affection.

His death affected students across the district.

Both high schools set up zoom sessions for students who wanted to talk to someone. 

We are saddened by this loss and will make every effort to help our entire school community during this difficult time. - Shorewood 

Losses like these can trigger many emotions. 

The Shorecrest counseling staff is available to support your student. If you would like to reach a Shorecrest Counselor please reach out to our Counseling Office at 206-393-4282. Or, you can access information via our Counseling Webpage at https://www.shorelineschools.org/domain/1125

You can also always access the Safe Schools Alert Tipline to report a concern at any time (it is active 24 hours a day, every day of the year): https://shoreline-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/

Shorewood: Below is information and resources that may be useful to you in helping your student at home. If you would like any other assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our school office at 206-393-4372.

Strategies for Families Coping with the Sudden Loss of a Friend or Loved One

Reactions among teens may be extremely variable in cases of sudden unexpected death or loss. There are generally four phases of grief: but not every person experiences these four phases in a linear process.
  1. Shock and Numbness (stunned, difficulty thinking clearly)
  2. Yearning and Searching (restless, angry, guilty, bewildered)
  3. Disorientation and Disorganization (extreme sadness, possible continued guilt and anger)
  4. Reorganization and Resolution (accept the loss)

It is especially important to encourage teens to talk about death by suicide openly. If needed, parents/guardians should consider looking to school and community resources for specialized support groups that include others dealing with a similar loss.

Community Resources:

Update 2-6-2021: material added from a reader


Read more...

Third Place Books presents Reid Forgrave, in conversation with Michael Sokolove

Monday, September 28, 2020



Monday, September 28, 2020 - 6:00pm



Zac Easter could be your neighbor, your classmate, your son.

In December 2015, Zac Easter, a twenty-four-year-old from small-town Iowa, decided to take his own life rather than continue his losing battle against the traumatic brain injuries he had sustained as a no-holds-barred high school football player.

For this deeply reported and powerfully moving true story, award-winning writer Reid Forgrave was given access to Zac's own diaries and was able to speak with Zac's family, friends, and coaches. He explores Zac's tight-knit, football-obsessed Midwestern community; he interviews leading brain scientists, psychologists, and sports historians; and he takes a deep dive into the triumphs and sins of the sports entertainment industry.

Forgrave shows us how football mirrors America, from the fighting spirit the game has helped inscribe in our national character to the side effects of the traditional notions of manhood that it affirms. But above all, 

Love, Zac is a warning to parents and those entrusted with the care of our kids not to ignore concussions and warning signs of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). F 
or parents struggling to decide whether to allow their kids to play football, this eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and ultimately inspiring story may be one of the most important books they will read.


Reid Forgrave writes about sports and other topics for GQ, the New York Times Magazine, and Mother Jones, among other publications. He has covered the NFL and college football for FoxSports.com and CBS Sports, and he currently writes for the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. The article in which he first wrote about Zac Easter is included in Best American Sports Writing 2018 . A past life found him working at the Des Moines Register in Iowa, where he wrote long-form narrative journalism and covered the state's first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. Forgrave lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two sons. Love, Zac is his first book.

Michael Sokolove is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and the author of three previous books: The Ticket Out, Hustle, and Warrior Girls. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland.


Love, Zac: Small-Town Football and the Life and Death of an American Boy (Hardcover)
By Reid Forgrave
$27.95
ISBN: 9781616209087
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Algonquin Books - September 8th, 2020



The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino: A Story of Corruption, Scandal, and the Big Business of College Basketball (Paperback)
By Michael Sokolove
$17.00
ISBN: 9780399563294
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Penguin Books - September 24th, 2019 



Read more...

September’s Suicide Prevention Month: What can you do?

Friday, September 18, 2020

Photo by Hannah Reding on Unsplash


Suicide rates in Washington have continued to rise and health officials at the Department of Health want people to take five actions urged in the national “#Bethe1to” suicide prevention campaign.

“We want people to know there are steps they can take that can help prevent suicide,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “Learning these may be vitally important to those you love and care about.”

In 2017, 1,300 Washingtonians died by suicide, and from 2006 to 2017 suicide in Washington state increased by an average of 2.5 percent annually.

The national #Bethe1to campaign, highlights five actions people can take to help prevent suicide.

1. Be the one to ask.

Ask the tough question. When somebody you know shows warning signs, ask them directly: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Take an online screening.

2. Be the one to keep them safe.

Do they have access to medications, firearms, or other means of suicide? Ask if they’ve thought about how they would do it and separate them from anything they could use to hurt themselves. Learn more from WA’s Safer Homes Coalition.

3. Be the one to be there.

People thinking about suicide can feel a burden to their loved ones.

If your friend is thinking about suicide, listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain. Listen with compassion and empathy without judgement. Now Matters Now has videos from people who have experienced suicidal thoughts share what individuals can do to help manage those thoughts.

4. Be the one to help them connect.

Help your friend connect to a support system, whether it’s 800-273-TALK (8255), the crisis text line (text “HEAL” to 741741) family, friends, faith-based leaders, coaches, co-workers, health care professionals or therapists, so they have a network to reach out to for help. 2-1-1’s online database is another way to find local resources.

5. Be the one to follow up.

Check in with the person you care about on a regular basis.

Making contact with a friend in the days and weeks after a crisis can make a difference in keeping them alive. Send a caring contact. This could be a phone call, text, email, or letter.

If you want to connect with someone anonymously, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, chat, or text “HEAL” to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor.

More information on suicide prevention in Washington and the state’s Suicide Prevention Plan is online.

The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign-up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.



Read more...

Suicide prevention in focus for the month of September

Friday, September 11, 2020

dan meyers on unsplash


Everyone has a role in suicide prevention. 

In observance of National Suicide Prevention Month, the Washington State Department of Health and University of Washington’s Forefront Suicide Prevention have partnered with the state’s Health Care Authority, Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of Social and Health Services and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to ask Washingtonians to #BeThe1Tohelp prevent suicide.

Vigilance is especially important this year due to the increased stress, anxiety and depression people may be experiencing with COVID-19. 
Normalizing conversation around mental health helps break stigma. That’s why we’re asking everyone to be the one to be present, supportive and strong for those who may be going through a difficult time.

Following the LEARN Model Steps can help everyone identify the steps they can take to offer support:
  • Learn to recognize the warning signs.
  • Empathize with the person you’re concerned about and listen to what they say.
  • Ask them if they are thinking about suicide. It’s okay to ask someone directly.
  • And if they say yes, they are, remove the danger – the method they’re thinking of using.
  • Help them with next steps, such as calling or texting a crisis line.

The starting place can be just reaching out to loved ones to show them you care, checking in through a text and simply asking, “How are you?”

“Suicide is preventable, and you don’t need special training,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “Everyone can learn to recognize the warning signs, show compassion, offer support, and seek help for themselves if needed.”

“It’s important that students, families, and educators learn the warning signs of suicide and how to offer support,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “We are ever vigilant, especially as our students may experience more isolation. Providing support and interventions can save lives.”

Look for the hashtags #BeThe1To, #BeThere, and #SPM20 this month on the social media pages of these state partners in suicide prevention. Additional resources offering individual, family, and community support will be shared throughout the month of September.

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, or if someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 or chat online

Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For support via text on the Crisis Text Line, start a conversation by texting “HEAL” to 741741.

Additional suicide prevention resources:


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP