Many of our youth struggle with depression and anxiety. 

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-34 (after unintentional injury) and the third leading cause of death for ages 10-14. (1, 2,4)
• For every suicide death, there are between 25 – 100 suicide attempts, including hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and attempts that do not result in hospitalizations or emergency department visits. (3)
• 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental health condition. (4, 8)
• Half of all lifetime mental illnesses are identified by age 14. (4, 5, 6)
• Student led peer groups are powerful agents of change for creating awareness and breaking the stigma around depression and other causes of suicide as well as supporting self-help behaviors. (7)

 
PTAs are encouraged to work with their School Board, elected officials and school community to promote mental wellness and resiliency, increase early detection, provide social and emotional support, and encourage help-seeking behavior and access to mental health treatment.
 
Virginia PTA Specifically Encourages:

• Funding that provides access to PBIS enhanced mental health awareness programs;
• Funding that creates “Safety Net Teams” of mental health professionals (Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, School Nurses and Student Assistant Specialists);
• Funding and programs to provide continued education of school personnel as they seek to adapt to changing national, state, and local mental health, behavioral, and medical trends;
• Policies that ensure strong “Return to Learn” practices that respect and include recommendations from the student’s licensed mental health provider for students returning to school after extended mental health related absences; 
• Peer to peer support programs that enhance existing Positive Behavior Support programs such as Sources of Strength; and
• Inclusion of Mental Health Resources in Family Engagement Centers that are open to the community and provide students and families with access to resources as well as opportunities to connect, support and grow strong through motivational workshops, arts and animal based therapy, yoga, mediation and other self-help healing programs.

 

1. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Suicide Virginia 2017 Fact Sheet accessible via: http://chapterland.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/Virginia-Facts-2017.pdf
2. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide-datasheet-a.pdf
3. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Suicide Statistics (2015). https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/
4. https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/Children-MH-Facts-NAMI.pdf
5. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/treatment-of-children-with-mental-illness-fact-sheet/index.shtml
6. Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27
7. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/prevention.html  & https://nrepp-learning.samhsa.gov/related-websites
8. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/state-mental-health-america​

CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBERS
1-800-273-TALK (8255) 
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) National Suicide Prevention
1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA
1-800-950-6264 (NAMI)
TEXT: 'TALK' to 741741
TEXT: 'CONNECT' to 855-11 
In an emergency, call 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) deputy/officer 

Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services
​(703-777-0320) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you are experiencing immediate and severe emotional crisis. 

The Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center
Located at 102 Heritage Way, Leesburg, Va., is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and mental health professionals are available for anyone in crisis. Non-emergency appointments can be made at 703-771-5100.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

SEMINARS
LCPS Mental Health & Wellness Parent Seminars
​LCPS Mental Health & Wellness Conference
LCPS Parent Resource Services Series of Events

VIRGINIA PTA RESOLUTIONS
Virginia PTA Return to Learn

NATIONAL PTA POSITIONS

• Early Identification and Interventions for Children with Mental Health Needs
• Comprehensive Guidance Services
• Mental Health Programs and Services
• Children’s Emotional Health and Mental Health Awareness

UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE

• National PTA Family Webinars /Resources on Emotional Health
• National Institute of Mental Health Q&A

 
DATA SHEETS

• NAMI Fact Sheets & Info Graphics
• MHA Emotions Matter Info Graphic
• VA Suicide Fact Sheet (2017)
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• CDC Suicide Data Sheet (2015)
• NIMH Treating Children with Mental Illness

 
CREATING AWARENESS

• Take 5 to Save Lives
• Suicide Prevention Week (Sept 10-17)
• May is Mental Health Month
• May 10: Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

 
SCHOOL POLICY EXAMPLES

• Loudoun Return to Learn Policy
• MHA Back to School Toolkit
• Fairfax Return to Learn Policy
• UCLA Center for Mental Health
• CDC Suicide Technical Package

 
PEER PROGRAMS

• Sources of Strength
• The Fort
• Friends 4 Recovery
• Loudoun Friends
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center​

 
HELPFUL RESOURCES
I Need a Lighthouse
​This Is My Brave
Mental Health America
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK)
Crisis Text Line
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
American Association of Suicidology
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Virginia’s Suicide Prevention Program
Mental Health.GOV
National Institute of Mental Health
Virginia Department of Mental Health