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“When Not to Keep A Secret”

American Psychiatric Association Alliance

www.ApaAlliance.org

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“When Not to Keep aSecret”

You want to respect a confidence, but what if the secret is dangerous or frightening?What should you do? Who do you tell, and when is okay not to keep a secret?

“Do you care enough to listen; care enough to tell?” Slogan contest: Winning quote from student: North Dakota

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Essay Project Purpose

Create a positive atmosphere for open communication between students and parents, and students and educators.

Establish awareness for having professional, and accessible mental health information for educators, families and the community.

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Essay Project Goals

Opportunity as a primary strategy for violence prevention.Opportunity to model appropriate disclosure skills.Opportunity to demystify mental illness, its treatment and prevention.Opportunity to mental health literacy. Opportunity for legislative interaction.

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Primary Violence Prevention Strategy

Essay writing on this topic is a thoughtful and reflective process.

Students can proactively think of their trusted adult.

Educators can work hand in hand with students through this process, at the same time enhancing a school culture to promote acceptance, moral/civic obligations, and empower youth to support their peers.

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Stephanie Nuygen, CA

“I was willing to risk her trust in me, because I knew I had to tell. I confided in her first, and told her I needed to tell an adult about her situation. The silence showed me how scared she was and the tears in her eyes told me how thankful she will be.”

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Appropriate Disclosure Skills

“School safety cannot be legislated, it must be grown and developed from within.” Dr. Ronald Stephens, Executive Director, National School Safety Commission

“Kids need to be involved and need to see that they can make a difference in other’s lives.” Dr. Julie Mennen, clinical psychologist.

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Student’s quote from South Dakota

“Will your friend be angry with you for telling his or her secret? Probably, but I would much rather have angry friend, than an imprisoned or dead one!”

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Legislative Opportunity

Address zero tolerance statutes and disciplinary procedures to advocate for policies of reason & justice.

Address lack of mental health resources and advocate for adequate funding.

Address current or pending legislation.

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7 Years of Essay Topic Results

90% of the essays discuss depression and suicide ideation.

10% discuss eating disorders, relationship violence, bullying, domestic violence, sexual abuse, schizophrenia, substance abuse and weapon carrying.

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The Literacy Educator’s Role in Suicide Prevention

“Literacy can play a role in suicide prevention by sharing books on the topic, talking with students about it, and carefully reading student writing.”

“The vast majority of students tell someone, either verbally or in writing, before they attempt suicide.”

Douglas Fisher Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 48:5 February, 2005

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Educators’ Concern

Educators expressed concern about asking student’s to write on sensitive subjects and not having mental health support or an immediate resource available.

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Mental Health Literacy& Educators

Invite mental health professionals as guest speakers to discuss essay topics.

Work with school librarians in assessing educational materials to ensure a reliable, accurate, professional source for student information.

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Yellow Ribbon International

Be-A-Link

Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

2003 Yellow Ribbon International,

Be-A-Link~ Save a Life!

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Ask for Help! Lifeline Card

Tells you what to do to ask for help for yourself or a friend

Don’t have to have a card to ask for help

Lifesaving Lifeskills

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Step 1: Stay with the person Unless there is risk of harm to yourself.

Step 2: Listen - really listen. You are that person’s lifeline

It is OK to say: What can I do to help? Who can we call that you would like to talk to? Let’s call the hotline (or walk down to the counselor) together and see what they suggest for the next step to getting us help.

Ask for Help! Lifeline Card

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Step 3: Get, or call for Help Immediately

• Call your parent, their parent, school counselor, pastor or rabbi or crisis hotlines• 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)• or local crisis line or 911

Ask for Help! Lifeline Card

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Special Collaboration with YRSPP

Provides students with warning signs for suicide.

Provides students with a Yellow Ribbon Card with simple effective directions.

Provides a vehicle for students to communicate with a trusted adult.

Provides local and national suicide hotline information.

20Kevin Dillon 2003 National Essay Winner with his Dell Computer!Louisville, KY

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Lead Organizations Initiate Essay Project

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program (YRSPP)

District Branches: APA

Medical Societies

Mental Health Associations

Departments of Education & Life Skills

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Letter of Understanding

Between APA Alliance and lead organization in the county or state

Organizer’s guidelines.

Essay application & submission deadlines.

Judging Criteria and Rating Scale.

Copyright transfer & release forms

Award Structure

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Organizer’s Guidelines

Lead Organization establishes community contacts.

School District--identify key contacts and hierarchy.

Meet with educators: English, Creative Writing, Health, Civics, Social Studies, Life Skills.

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Criteria & Rating Scale

10 Minute exercise rating 3 essays.

Comments and Discussion.

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Judges & Judging I

1st Tier: Educators--the top 5 from each school will be sent to lead organization.

2nd Tier: Enlist volunteers from participating organizations. Each essay should be reviewed by 3 judges.

3rd Tier: Community leaders.

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Award Ceremony

Offer educational program in conjunction with presentation of gift certificates.

Check out available venues in community affairs.

School based recognition / year end award ceremony or assemblies.

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A Few References

www.aacap.org Facts for Families

www.psych.org

www.suicidology.org

www.yellowribbon.org

www.teen-depression.info

www.parentsmedguide.org