Email Template Opt-Out Letter to Parents/Guardians
Parent Opt-Out Letter
Note: The most popular form of Parent / Guardian Notification is by sending Passive consent or Opt-out announcement about the wide screening.
When communicating: normalize process (e.g. similar to vision test, break check, health screening)
Communicate in several ways; be consistent (e.g. calls, emails, website, flyer. etc.)
Example Letter:
Dear Parent of ____________________ student:
In an effort to support the emotional needs of our students, our school is working with county and other partners to help identify students that would benefit from additional mental health support and services. The first step in effective suicide prevention is to identify everyone who needs help and equipping them with resources and supports. In the following weeks, we will be screening all our middle and high school students by asking them directly about suicide thoughts and other emotional needs.
This email contains the screening form for your reference. Each student will be given a chance to answer these questions with a qualified mental health professional and in some cases with the support of school staff as well.
The purpose of this is to allow students to name their mental health and emotional needs, and for caring adults to help connect them to the appropriate resources. This could involve a conversation about what strategies, coping skills, people, and resources your student may benefit from, particularly if your student is having thoughts or plans for suicide.
This is a voluntary process, and you are free to opt your student out of the screening and supports process. That said, we are trying to provide assistance to those students most in need of support through these difficult times and your participation is appreciated. After learning and understanding more about the process, parents-guardians will have the opportunity to opt out by contacting (name of person to contact) at (email or phone number) by (insert date) if you do not want your child to participate in the assessment.
What is the Screening?
In partnership with mental health professionals, our schools will be engaging students in a universal screening process. For this screening, we will use the Columbia -Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), which is an evidence-based tool proven to assess risk and prevent youth suicide. Given recent occurrence of student death by suicide, we believe that it is important for schools such as ours to systematically assess risk and save lives. We have been given extra supports from our county and from the Oregon Health Authority to help us do this.
Students will be asked a few simple questions about suicidal thoughts and behavior that empower us to find people who are at risk and prevent tragedies before they happen. It tells who needs a next step, and provides recommendations for support for the student and family.
It's a three-level process:
• Level 1: During school, students will meet with a mental health professional to answer a few questions about their emotional health, including thoughts of suicide. If students do not indicate risk of suicide, the mental health professional will explain what signs and symptoms to watch for in themselves and their friends that might mean its time for them to tell a trusted adult about how they are feeling.
• Level 2: Based on students' answers, those possibly at risk will be encouraged to participate with the mental health professional about healthy coping and wellness strategies. The ____(title of safety plan; considering linking template)______________________ will be used as a template.
• Level 3: Based on the screener's assessment about current risk, it's possible some students will be referred to participate in mental health therapy, social/emotional groups, or other mental health services. If this is the case, parents will be notified and included in any safety planning and referrals.
Does asking directly about suicide increase my child’s risk?
Studies show that asking about suicide does not “suggest” it or make someone more likely to think about, attempt or die by suicide. For students who are not thinking about suicide, the conversation will be about wellness and signs to watch out for in the future. Additionally, when a person is experiencing thoughts of suicide, open discussion is more likely to be experienced as relief than intrusion. Simply asking the questions is a positive action. When asked how they're doing, it signals that someone cares about them. This simple action promotes connectedness - a critical protective factor against suicide and violence.
Our team is taking great care in making sure all details are considered to best support our students. We are hopeful that a universal screening process will allow us to meet your students’ needs. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
What else is available to me as a parent?
This resource is an excellent source of information about how to support your child after a suicide loss. Lane County has many resources listed here. Additionally, our school is offering a virtual parent night on ___(time/date)____________________ to meet with experts. This event will be on Zoom, and more information will come.
In hope,
_____(administrator)________________