12/20/16 SAF Meeting Minutes
Meeting began 9:25am
Central Area Advisory General Meeting 12/15/16 recap
- DAC issues (District Advisory Committee)
-pinnacle for 3rd-5th grade (motion going before school board)
-shrinking timeline for report card distribution so there will be more time for repair before next interim report
-Dos and don’ts of booster clubs
(Mandatory fundraising, pay to play—all not allowed, how much is too much for club dues)
Can the district provide info all in one place like a procedural manual
Looking for it to be done by the beginning of the next school year
- OSPA
Accreditation report
-detailed report is in and is outstanding
-the full report and power point is on the Broward schools website under ospa initiatives
- Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for Youth and Families
-where and how we place our attention affects our mental health and well-being
Mindfulness
-be there in the moment, being aware and observe with a neutral attitude with stillness in your heart and mind
--downstairs brain- impulses, automatic behaviors, innate reactions to things, emotional state
--upstairs brain—comes over the downstairs brain and regulates the rest of the brain’s responses and emotions, perceives the outside world and gives us the ability to pause before acting. We are tuned in, connected, balanced and flexible.
-if someone or something pushes our emotional buttons our downstairs brain can take over and we can “flip our lid”
---we need a break, a mindful break (how to get back upstairs)
Move it or lose it, literally
Mindful bottle
---practicing mindfulness strengthens the upstairs brain allowing you to pause and have insight into what's going on, empathy and morality. Can think of the larger social good and can alter bullying and violent acts of aggression
-mindfulness reduces stress, enhances cognitive abilities, and can help make positive connections to learning material-youth get excited about material and remember it
- studies have shown that random acts of kindness make a difference and decrease defensiveness
Emotional situation
Shuts down upstairs brain (logical, conscious, sensory perception)
Flight/fight/freeze response takes over
-not really connected
-response over and above the situation
*cortisol and adrenaline are released and create a hangover effect for up to 4 hours (ex. Fight in car on way to school)
-transitions can trigger responses
Calm predictable transitions decrease anxiety (ex. School)
Knowing what to expect for some youth is very important, winter break is not a predictable transition
-most of us have the flight/fight/freeze response because we believe we can do something about it, but there are some that have the shut down and get ready to fail response because they believe they cannot do anything (helpless)
Suicide
-does not discriminate and talking about it does not plant the idea in someone's head.
-there are signs a person might be thinking about suicide but you have to be actively listening(mindfulness)
-5times more likely to attempt suicide if a close family member has attempted or died by suicide
-Suicide statements, gesture or threats are NOT attention seeking, always take them seriously. They are attention NEEDING.
Majority of suicides- girls, hanging
-can google how to
-9 out of 10 suicides happen in the home just before the parents come home
-30% increase in African American boys ages 9-10
Behaviors/Signals
-complaint of being bad or awful inside
-statements related to not being a good person, a burden to others
-no interest in future
-changes in interest
-giving away prized possessions, not accepting praise
-sudden change form “down and out” to cheerful as if all is suddenly better ( no longer conflict, peace because they know what they are going to do)
Warning Signs
-previous attempt, access to lethal methods, stressful life event, anger, irritability, bullying reported or suspected (new link and relationship, does not cause)
National Website Warning Signs & Response
Youthsuicidewarningsigns.org
Sometimes youth who are depressed have thoughts of suicide.
Some youth may make direct statements- “I want die. I'm going to kill myself.”
Some youth make indirect statements- “No one would notice or care if I was gone. Things would be better if I was dead. My family needs me not to be here. I will never make anything of myself.”
What can we do?
Always be looking and listening to the youth
Be aware of any changes that you see
Ask questions if you notice a change
Talk to them about what you see, ask the direct question. “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Get a professional involved if concerned
Be empathetic
Look at overall functioning of the youth, not just one symptom
Suicide is a public health concern. It is good to talk about it because it decreases the stigma and increases awareness for resources.
How can you make a difference?
Listen nonjudgementally to youth, not advice but listening
Offer support (How can I help?)
Take action
Take a youth mental health first aid course
Know who the supports are in your community and school
What to do if my child is talking about suicide
Never leave them alone
Get assistance from a professional immediately
Do not minimize or criticize their comments
Do not tell them why there situation is not that bad
Give your undivided attention to them
Remember they are asking for help
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-talk(8255) Suicidepreventionlifeline.org
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ)
1-866-4U Trevor Thetrevorproject.org
Teenhealthandwellness.com
Projectsafeplace.org
Reachout.com (online for students)
JP Taravella new information discussion text line- 741741
Receive a response immediately from a counselor (free if service is with a national carrier)
Meeting ended 9:50am
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