Students are dying.
On Nov. 27, Josh Pacheco took his own life. He had come out as gay to his mother a couple months before his death. His parents learned recently that Josh had been bullied at school.
There have been many other tragic and unnecessary suicides. Suicide is a crisis, and educators are often the first people to notice changes in behavior or other signs that students are in so much pain that they consider ending their lives, often because of bullying. Educators may also be the first to support students at risk. LGBT youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
There are also resources like the Trevor Project that offers resources to equip educators with skills for identifying students who are feeling helpless and hopeless.
Sexual orientation and gender issues are not, in and of themselves, risk factors for suicide. However, increased suicide risk is a result of the combination of isolation and bullying these students are likely to encounter at school, home, in the community and at religious institutions.
Often, schools fail to explicitly protect and address LGBT youth in anti-bullying policies and staff training. Peer support may be nonexistent. That’s why it’s crucial to have school staff members who are allies. It could make a huge difference and save young lives.
The Trevor Project, a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBT youth, also offers educator resources, workshops and educational materials.
The site offers a free 24-hour helpline with trained volunteer counselors.
The first step in prevention is awareness. Learning the warning signs is crucial. According to the Trevor Project, students contemplating suicide may express hopelessness or a disinterest in the future. Some may start to give possessions away. Look for changes in behavior, increased substance use or expressions of feeling overwhelmed and lack of motivation. Trevor offers a resource page with other warning signs that can be printed and posted in the classroom or given to students for increased awareness.
The most powerful prevention tool is to become an ally for LGBT students and create a safer school environment for all students. Let students know that you are available to listen and offer support. Be a model for other students to offer understanding.
Losing a student is devastating. Educators often feel at a loss in knowing what to do or where to start, but help and resources are a few computer clicks away.
Letitia L. Star is a freelance journalist dedicated to writing about health, mental health, education and social justice.
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