March 9, 2015
Dear Parent/Guardian,
As many of you may already know, a young person died by suicide this morning. We have learned that the victim is a Palo Alto High sophomore student. Our deepest, heartfelt condolences go to his/her family and friends.
Even when students or families do not know the individuals whom we have lost, the cumulative impact of these events can be deeply disturbing to any of us and will make vulnerable students much more at risk. Sadness, anger, frustration, confusion, and anxiety are normal reactions to this kind of news. Unfortunately, so is silence.
Given that we have lost three high school students to death by suicide this year, the risk of another loss is far higher than normal. This is well-documented in scientific research, and we all have to be extraordinarily vigilant and be willing to have hard conversations with our children about their feelings even though they may not want to talk. Those most at risk are students who “suffer in silence” and fear disappointing parents, friends, or others by expressing their needs, sadness, or fears.
In fact, it has been found that some youths choose to suppress any problems they might be experiencing and simply pretend that they are perfectly fine. Many of our students feel pressure to be successful and may even think that mental illness is a sign of weakness. It is not, and it is a sign of strength to seek help for oneself or others. Please talk to your students and their friends and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings when experiencing difficult times. We and our community partners stand ready to help any child at any time, and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline can provide immediate assistance in many languages; the number is: 1 (800) 273-8255.
Throughout the morning, we have informed our schools, and our entire staff will be vigilant for any signs of students who may need support and care following these tragic incidents. Our district counselors as well as the additional counselors from our partner organizations of KARA, ACS, CASSY, and Stanford personnel are already checking in with students. We are prepared to work with any student or family at a moment’s notice, and we urge you to reach out to your child’s teacher, the school’s principal, or any school counselor if you suspect any child you know is at risk.
Should you feel you and your family are in need of additional assistance, a list of school and community resources are available on ourPAUSD Health Services page and the Counseling Services page . If you need immediate assistance, the Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available at 1-855-278-4204 at any time. Another resource is EMQ Families First’s mobile crisis unit which provides assessments of minors dealing with potentially suicidal thoughts. They can be reached at 408-379-9085. Of course in an emergency situation, please call 911.
We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more information about this tragic situation. All members of the PAUSD staff are prepared to assist you and your family as you process this difficult time.
For your children,
Glenn “Max” McGee, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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