"Mental Health Minute" - Kristen Muir, School Social Worker

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In early March, the Jr./Sr. High School will be participating in “National Say Something Week” in support of the national program, “Sandy Hook Promise.”

When it comes to threats of violence or suicide, most are known by at least one other individual BEFORE the incident occurs. Given the growth of digital platforms, many are learning about threats via social media. “Say Something” teaches students how to look for warning signs, signals and threats – especially on social media – from an individual who may be a threat to him/herself or others and how to seek help by saying something to a trusted adult. More specifically, “Say Something” aims to help:  

1.     Recognize Warning Signs and Threats – learn about different types of warning signs and threats and where you are likely to find them, especially on social media.

2.     Act Immediately and Take it Seriously – understand strategies to take action and overcome potential barriers to being an “upstander” rather than a “bystander.”

3.     Say Something – learn how to intervene when you see warning signs and threats by telling a trusted adult (and know who those trusted adults are that you can go to for help), calling 911 or using an anonymous reporting system.Families can have the “Say Something” discussion at home to reinforce and support what students are learning at school. Here are some facts that are an important part of the “Say Something” movement:

·       Each day, eight children die from gun violence in America. Another 32 are shot and injured.

·       Firearms are the second leading cause of death among American children and adolescents, after car crashes.

·       In a comprehensive study of school shootings from 1974-2000 conducted by the Secret Service and Department of Education, 93 percent of school shooters planned the attack in advance.

·       In four out of five school shootings, at least one other person had knowledge of the attacker’s plan, but failed to report it.

·       70 percent of people who commit suicide tell someone their plans or give some type of warning signs.

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shows that if we, “know the signs of gun violence,” we can prevent it and reverse the trend. If you would like to learn more about the “Sandy Hook Promise,” visit www.sandyhookpromise.org.

As always, you can contact me directly at (315) 557-2769 or kmuir@westmorelandschool.org.

Kristen Muir
School Social Worker

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