Yesterday afternoon, we received sad news. We were informed that Taylir Johnson passed away. Taylir was a student at Forest Grove High School, grades 9-11 and would have been a senior here this year. His family has shared with the school community that Taylir died by suicide.
When we hear about loss, we can have a variety of reactions - from shock and disbelief to sadness and possibly anger. These reactions may rise and fall throughout the day, or for days to come. Some of us may want to have quiet time and others may want time to talk with friends or adults. This is a time that we can practice patience and respect for each other. Hearing about significant loss can impact people in a variety of ways and we want to keep everyone in our community safe.
Please let teachers or staff know if you are concerned about another student.
Those students who wish to talk or need time to think or process, may go to the support room, which is in the Counseling Office today.
Your Advisory Teacher will be sending an email to your parents notifying them of this loss, and providing them with some resources on suicide prevention. Please let your teachers, counselors and parents know what you need.
This is a good time to remind students of the Crisis Line, which is 503-291-9111. Feel free to write the number on the board so students can take a picture. Remind students that they can call this number at any time, 7 days a week/24 hours a day, to get support from a counselor.
Suicide Prevention: Tips for Parents
Warning Signs of Suicide
About 1 in 5 teens seriously consider suicide*. Possible warning signs that your child is experiencing suicidal thoughts include:
- Suicide threats, both direct and indirect
- “I won’t be bothering you much longer.”
- “You’ll be better off without me around.”
- “I hate my life.”
- “I’d be better off dead.”
- “I am going to kill myself.”
- Preoccupation with suicide and/or death
- Referencing death, dying or suicide through jokes, essays and poems, artwork and drawings, social media posts and comments
- Talking a lot about death, dying, or suicide
- Change in personality or mood (including going from being sad to extremely happy)
- Increase in risk-taking behaviors, including gun play, alcohol/drug use, and interpersonal violence
- Signs of depression. Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide attempts. Depression can be exhibited in many ways including:
- Sudden, abrupt changes in personality
- Expressions of hopelessness and despair
- Declining grades and school performance
- Lack of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Increased irritability and aggressiveness
- Withdrawal from family, friends and relationships
- Lack of hygiene
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Self-harm (cutting, burning, etc.)
- Increased isolation
- Making final arrangements.
- Giving away prized or favorite possessions
- Putting their affairs in order
- Saying good-bye to family and friends
- Making funeral arrangements
- Writing a suicide note
- Concerns from youth’s friends. Your child’s friends may give hints that they are worried about your child but be uncomfortable telling you directly. Be open. Ask questions.
- Previous suicide attempts. In one out of three suicide deaths, individuals have attempted previously.
How to Respond
The topic of suicide is emotional and sometimes scary. Do not hesitate to get help when assessing your child's safety. The Washington County Crisis Line has counselors available 24/7 to assess your child's risk (503-291-9111).
If you believe your child is at risk for suicide, take the following actions:
- Ask directly “Are you thinking of suicide?”
- Avoid statements that could seem minimizing (“You are overreacting.”)
- Focus on their well-being. Don’t take it personally - the causes are complex.
- Safety proof your home. Take away access to pills, sharp objects (razors, knives, scissors), firearms, etc.
- Increase supervision so that your child is not left alone.
- Get help.
- 24-hour free Washington County Crisis Line 503-291-9111
- Hawthorn Walk-In Center: 5240 NE Elam Young Pkwy #100, Hillsboro
- Oregon Youth Line, text “teen2teen” to 8398
- Online chat at oregonyouthline.org
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- For immediate safety issues, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
Prevención de suicidio : Consejos para padres
Señales de advertencia de suicidio
Acerca 1 en 5 adolescentes seriamente consideran suicidio*. Las posibles señales de advertencia que su hijo está experimentando con pensamientos de suicidio incluyen:
- Amenaza de suicidio, ambo directo e indirecto
- “No te molestaré mucho más.”
- “Estarás mejor sin que yo esté.”
- “Odio mi vida.”
- “Estaría mejor muerto.”
- “Me voy a matar.”
- Preocupación con el suicidio y/o con la muerte
- Hacer referencia a la muerte, morir o suicidarse a través de bromas, ensayos y poemas, obras de arte y dibujos, publicaciones en las redes sociales y comentarios.
- Hablando en exceso sobre la muerte, sobre morir o acera el suicidio.
- Cambio en personalidad o cambio en ánimo (incluyendo pasar de estar triste a extremadamente feliz)
- Aumentos de la conductas de riesgo, incluyendo juego de armas, alcohol/uso de drogas, y violencia interpersonal
- Signos de depresión. Depresión es una de las causas principales de intentos de suicidios. La depresión se puede exhibir de de muchas maneras, incluyendo:
- Cambio repentinos o abruptos en la personalidad
- Expresiones de desesperanza y desesperación
- Disminución de calificaciones y rendimiento escolar
- Falta de interés en las actividades que alguna vez disfrutaban
- Aumento en irritabilidad y agresividad
- Aislamiento de familiares, amigos o relaciones
- Falta de higiene
- Cambios en los hábitos de comer y dormir
- Causar daño a sí mismo (cortándose, quemándose, etc.)
- Aumento en aislamiento
- Haciendo arreglos finales.
- Regalar posesiones preciadas o favoritas
- Poniendo en orden asuntos personales
- Despidiéndose de familiares y amigos
- Haciendo arreglos funerarios
- Escribiendo una carta de suicidio
- Preocupaciones de amigos. Los amigos de su hijo puede darle pistas de que están preocupados por su hijo, pero puede que se sientan incómodos en decirles directamente. Haga preguntas y esté abierto a escuchar.
- Intentos de suicidio previos. N En una de cada tres muertes por suicidio, individuos han intentado previamente.
Como responder
El tema de suicido es emocional y, a veces, aterrador. No dude en obtener ayuda cuando evalúe la seguridad de su hijo. La línea de crisis del condado de Washington tiene consejeros disponibles las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana para evaluar el riesgo de su hijo (503-291-9111).
Si usted cree que su hijo está riesgo de suicidio, siga los siguientes:
- Pregunte directamente “¿Estás pensando en cometer suicidio?”
- Evite declaraciones que puedan parecer minimizadas (“estás reaccionando exageradamente.”)
- Enfoquense en el bienestar de su hijo. No lo tome personal-las causas son complejas.
- Hago cambios en el hogar para que sea más seguro . Quite el acceso a pastillas objetos afilados (cuchillos de afeitar, cuchillos, tijeras), armas de fuego, etc.
- Aumente la supervisión para que su hijo no se quede solo.
- Consiga ayuda.
- Línea gratuita de crisis del condado de Washington disponibles las 24 horas del día 503-291-9111
- Hawthorn Walk-In Center: 5240 NE Elam Young Pkwy #100, Hillsboro
- Oregon Youth Line, text “teen2teen” to 8398
- Chat en línea: oregonyouthline.org
- Línea directa nacional de prevención del suicidio 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Para la seguridad inmediata de su hijo, no dude en llamar al 911