Why Educators Should Focus On Suicide Preventive Measures

The second leading cause of death among school children is SUICIDE. However, it is preventable.

Usually, the ones with suicidal tendencies frequently project warning signs of their distress, which needs to be recognized by the parents and teachers.

Educators can look out for such warnings by carefully studying the pattern in their behavioral changes. They can help adults and students in the school community committed to make suicide prevention a priority, empowering students to take correct decisions.

Momo Challenge:  A Red Alert for Schools

Right after the infamous Blue Whale Challenge, another challenge cropped up recently, spreading near-criminal activities and suicidal challenges among the students.

With such challenges constantly emerging, parents would be looking for an organization, looking after their children’s overall safety.  

Thus, educators need to discuss such topics with their staff and students, making plans to recognize and understand their students, directing them towards a better life. This would lead to the creation of a safe and risk-free environment, motivating parents for their children’s enrollment at your school.  

Hiring a counselor can be a great option

The biggest benefit a school counselor can provide you with is that they prepare students for their academic, career, and social challenges by relating education agendas.

With the presence of a counselor at your school, you can yield trust among the parents, which ends up getting their children enrolled at your school.

School-based suicide prevention programs

Educators should hire people who can help fight the entire organization against incidents like suicides by providing teachers and students with the mechanisms necessary to identify and respond to students who are projecting suicidal tendencies or self-destructive behavior.

The Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) had issued an advisory/precaution regarding the ‘Momo challenge’ to the Heads of Department of Higher Education and the Department of School Education, on the directions of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT).

The advisory urged the parents to be cautious about such challenges so that their children do not fall prey to them.

School-initiated suicide prevention programs can screen students for their mental health problems, providing an educational activity encouraging them for a better future.