Parents and guardians are invited to a 6 p.m. workshop on student mental health Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Thurston Middle School’s “Black Box” theater.
Annette Craig, the founder of an organization dedicated to suicide prevention by improving mental support services, will address the group.
She will also lead a mandatory training session with the Laguna Beach High School staff and students prior to the evening talk in an effort to help them recognize risk factors and meet the needs of students at risk, says a district statement issued Thursday, Oct. 22.
Three recent LBHS graduates have taken their own lives in the past 10 months. The most recent was Hunter Schwirtz.
“We can educate teachers, staff and students about student health and suicide prevention strategies, but we need the support of the parents as well,” said Supt. Sherine Smith. “We’re all in this together.”
Craig is the founder of With Hope, The Amber Craig Memorial Foundation, based in Placentia.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five children ages 13 to 18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness. Irene White, director of special education, said there is often a delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention.
“We know that 90% of students who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness,” White said in a statement. “Intervention and treatment are critical and must occur early on, which includes a collaborative approach from our whole community.”
The district is developing guidance plans to better identify and address student social and emotional needs, the statement says.
For more info: contact LBHS Assistant Principal Robert Billinger at [email protected].
Amended Oct. 24:
Due to public interest, the talk was relocated and will be held to the LBHS Artists’ Theatre, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Amended Oct. 27
The article inaccurately describes Hunter Schwirtz as an LBHS graduate. He and two other teens who have taken their lives in the past year were all classmates at the school at one time, according to one of the fathers involved.
Having raised 4 kids in Laguna it has always seemed as though Laguna is very hard hit with teen deaths. I know part of the reason is it is a small city numbers wise but it does have more than its share of teen death. Glad they are doing this. We moved to Dana Point where my 23 year old has lost more friends then I can count to suicide and drug overdose, especially heroin.
Actually, Hunter was not a graduate of LBHS. Please, check your facts before putting up articles about such a touchy subject. Also, is it necessary to name drop?
Thank you for pointing out the error. A correction was appended to the story.