Florida School Toolkit for K-12 Educators to Prevent Suicide

Mary Smith Uncooperative Parent Notification Scenario The father or mother of Mary Smith, a new eighth- grade student in your school, has very reluctantly come to school for a conference with the school counselor who gave Mary’s parent very little information on the phone as to why a face-to-face conference had to take place immediately (this morning); it was a long drive from his or her office to the school. Mr. or Mrs. Smith arrives very frustrated and indicates immediately he or she did not appreciate being called to the school because he or she is an extremely busy attorney and being away from the office is costing client billable hours and, therefore, money. Throughout the conference, he or she refuses to provide much information about how Mary is actually doing with regard to school, social life, and family. He or she is very defensive about Mary and her family life and repeatedly asks why this any business of yours. “I didn’t come here to answer questions. Now who are you and why have you demanded that I come to the school?” The parent does not take the report of Mary’s suicidal plans seriously. “She’s a 13-year-old girl what do you expect—teenagers are emotional and say dramatic things! She is new to the school and will make friends soon and be okay. Her younger brother is doing just fine in the new school and community. Now are we done here?” The parent is particularly defensive when questioned about whether Mary has access to a gun at home. He or she finally admits that yes, there is a gun but there is no way she would ever touch it! The parent dismisses all requests to secure the handgun, which is for protection and kept in the nightstand. When asked about the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why , the parent is not familiar with it and states that they could not have watched it, as they do not have a Netflix account. The parent is not supportive of the need for any mental health services outside of school and in fact forbids the school psychologist to ever talk with Mary again. When the question is raised that you would like the parent to sign an emergency notification form, he or she angrily refuses and further indicates that there are no plans to obtain counseling for her. Discussion Questions • How did the role-play go? • D id the counselor begin by thanking Mary’s parent for coming to school for a conference and emphasize that showed how much he or she cares about Mary? • D id the counselor begin by asking for information from Mary’s parent about how he or she thought Mary was adjusting to the new school? • D id the counselor receive any helpful information? • H ow did the parent respond when told that Mary was suicidal? • D id the counselor emphasize that must be difficult information for the parent to hear? • W as the counselor clear about what steps needed to be taken to support Mary and to get her counseling services outside of school and to prevent suicide? • H ow did the counselor handle the conversation about whether a gun is available to Mary? • D id the counselor seem judgmental at any time during the parent notification? • W as Mary’s parent asked to sign a suicide notification form? TOOL 15b Role-Play: Parent Notification Florida S.T.E.P.S.